I'm after more help. I'm still taking and not giving. But....by the time I have sorted out my batteries and charging system, I should be well enough educated to help others. Now I need to know which is a good solar charger for my boat. Any good deals out there that anyone knows about? Thanks.
Mike.
Mike.
Before you buy a solar panel I would advise that you do a little research.
The very best panels costing close to £500 and measuring 1m X .5m only produce about 80 watts of power in ideal conditions, and unless you are going to be in the Med next summer you will be lucky to get half that on a typical British summers day. At this charge rate a single large leisure 110Amph battery will take about a week to charge and then only if the weather is outstanding.
In my opinion, Solar panels are only good for keeping your boat's fully charged battery topped up while it is left unattended on the mooring and then only if you have clear sky above, no good for most canals or rivers where there are trees to obscure the sun.
Whereas, an overnight charge on a £25 battery charger will do the same.
I would consider an extra battery to meet your domestic needs before buying a solar panel.
Thanks and noted.
I intend getting a new battery as soon as I am home and bang it on. I have a 6/12V car battery charger. If the duff battery charges ok at home then I have a spare. If not, I think I'll buy another new battery, then I'll have 2 new out of 3. Better to spend, say 140 quid on two batteries. I have purchased a multi meter. I can drop test the start battery as my wife starts the outboard to minitor if the alternator is working. If new battery doesn't stay charged, then I guess I need to check alternator out. I have a battery level indicator on console. 1 battery shows in the green and the other shows nothing. One battery was new in April, but I did not have time to suss out which is which. I am worried that the previous owner put a new start battery on and this is the duffer (then I DO have a problem).
