SOLAR PANELS, WHO HAS THEM
#1
Senior Member

Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Portsmouth RI
Posts: 4,153

The prices are way down and a panel on top of a T-top seems like a good idea especially for a boat on a mooring. Who uses them, what kind? Some preliminary info here: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/SolarPanels.htm

#3
Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: San Diego (Encinitas) CA
Posts: 163

I've used the 15 watt solar panel with controller for about three years now to keep two 6v golf cart batteries charged in my 5th wheel RV which spends several months/year in outside storage. They can be very effective in maintaining a charge. 15 watt "kits" which include the controller are about $149 at both West Marine and Camping World. Same panels, easy install. For the more adventurous, Harbor Freight has some real cheapies.

#4
Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 388

This site has the best prices I've seen for solar and wind generators:
http://www.partsonsale.com/
Good Fishing,
ConchCruzer
http://www.partsonsale.com/
Good Fishing,
ConchCruzer

#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location:
Posts: 26

I have used a 48 watt Kyocera panel with controller for more than 10 years to charge and maintain 2 deep cycle batteries on my boat. I have had no problem with the system and would do it again. Before we had the panel the batteries were always low. The panel furnishes about 2 3/4 amps to the batteries and they are usually re-charged by mid afternoon. I'm pretty careful with the load however and use the lights only when needed. The main loads are the two water pumps and the radios. When the kids occasionally watch videos for several hours it takes longer to charge the next day.

#6
Senior Member



Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Thornton's Ferry,NH,USA
Posts: 10,631

"The Sportsman's Guide" has a variety of solar panels but I doubt they're marine rated.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/
