solar panel for off season charging

[Epilogue]

Hi folks - Does anyone have experience/thoughts on using a solar panel(s) to maintain their batteries off season? My 21 EC lives in Grand Cayman during the summer and when in storage is not near an electric outlet to allow me to plug in a trickle charger. The batts, in the tropical environment, have a really short life and I think keeping them charged will help. Solar seems like a good option, given we're in the tropics. I had thought I would attach the panel to the cover and run a wire inside, hopefully to the regular shoreside plug receptical which is only for the on board battery charger anyway. Any thoughts? All wisdom gratefully accepted! Thanks, Bill (Epilogue - 21 and The Last Word - 25)

 

[JamesTXSD]

Running your solar panel to the battery charger won't work, unless you have some way of converting 12v to 110. I have used a solar panel run directly to the batteries during storage, and it works great. Small solar panel so it doesn't "cook" the batteries.

 

[dante3756]

Ditto on routing a solar panel directly to the batteries. A small, flexible, panel would work fine for your purpose. If you use a larger panel, you'd need a regulator (they're relatively cheap and small for solar panels). I've used solar panels on boats for 14 years. As you noted, they're especially useful the further South you are situated. There are some possible complicating issues when using 1 panel to charge 2 or more battery banks, but they are minimal with a small panel if both batteries are in the same relative condition.

 

[bluestreak]

I have a fifth wheel and installed (2) 135 watt panels on the roof with the controller.
The trailer is never plugged in at home and the panels keep the batteries (4) charged up all year round.
During the snow season, I brush off the snow and I am back in business.
Best modification I did to the rig.
While it is not a boat the principle is the same.

 

[Epilogue]

thanks folks - better info than I got from the factory! Appreciate the help.... sounds like 2 panels or 1 with a regulator.

 

[Lobo]

Just wondering -- why not disconnect the batteries? Could they be put in a less warm area?

Dave

 

[knotflying]

thanks folks - better info than I got from the factory! Appreciate the help.... sounds like 2 panels or 1 with a regulator.

You need a regulator with one or two panels. One panel should do you fine. Especially for charging batteries during a layup. You can always add a panel if needed. Just make sure you buy a regulator that will handle the two.

 

[abcandjrc]

This may do the job for you.

Do a general search on Amazon for "solar battery charger" and there are any number of inexpensive units which will maintain a battery. I have a NOCO unit which I use to keep the battery up on our little-used F-150. It works fine. They do suggest that even though the unit is "water resistant" that you protect it from heavy rain "just in case. I suppose a simple piece of Lexan or other clear plastic would do the job.

There is a pigtail which can be attached at the battery, and on a 21 it is a simple matter to run the wires under the engine cover. In your case, also add a simple jumper between the positive terminals of both batteries and it will maintain both. See gallery2.php?g2_itemId=31086 for a suggestion for that which serves several purposes, including keeping both "up" with a solar "maintainer".