One of the best ways to generate electricity is by using solar energy. Solar battery chargers are now widely used, are easy to install and can work for very many years without any problems.
They are usually packed in a kit that has a solar panel, battery pack, conversion technology needed and any necessary wiring.
Boat Usage
They are used on boats to guard against any natural electronic drain and battery discharge. These solar chargers for boats are made using designs that are weather proof so they cannot be easily damaged while in the water.
Solar chargers can be used on boats for any complimentary electronic gear that may need to be used while the boat is out on the water.
The complimentary gear
The complimentary gear includes communication and entertainment devices, fish finders and sonar. There are some full kits that are available to run this electronic gear on the boats.
The solar chargers can also be used to charge the boats’ batteries and this usually comes in a different kit from the ones used to charge the electric gear.
The kits have some solar panels that you can mount in various locations on your boat. The panels are connected to a controller unit that will charge the battery.
A solar power charger works well on a boat because the solar panels are very well exposed to the sun while on the water and this reduces the amount of time it takes for the batteries to be charged.
Some of the panels that are used for charging boats have integrated batteries that function as power packs. You can charge this internal battery then use it to charge the gear on the boat or the battery used to run the boat.
The panels that do not come will require a converter to switch the power supply and also regulate the voltage on your battery by stepping it up or down.
Know Before You Buy
When choosing the solar charger, you need to know the kind of battery that you have but in most cases, one charger will work for any gear or battery except if it is for Gel Cell.
It is also important to calculate the wattage on the solar charger by knowing just how many Ampere per hours the battery stores.
Choose a charger that has a solar controller so that it will monitor the charging on a regular basis and stop it once the boat or the gear is fully charged.
How to Calculate Charging Time
Assuming You have a 115 Amperes hour battery and a 15 Watt solar charger, this mean You’ll need nearly 92 direct sunlight hours to full charge it if it’s completely empty (this mean You’ll need 11 days to full charge the battery).
If Your only purpose is to avoid battery drain while the boat is not used, than the solar charger combined with a charge controller makes a great job.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I need solar chargers in odd shap that can be put on seat of boat and can be set on. aft.24X20, 30X12 or 8 or 10″ X 48″. We are prot typing a boat with elec power. We gave a boat now that we powered with a 30 lbs. throst motor, and use a90 amp hr battery . the battary is mantained with solar charger 12X30 . we are going to a 54lbs throust motor and need a larger charger but are limited to odd shapes thank you L Greaney
Do you mean buy a solar charger or build one by yourself?
Hi Guys!
I have a mobility scooter. I would like to charge it using solar energy, and possibly keep it topped up while using it?
What gear do I need please?
Hi Gray,
I need to know:
- More information about your battery (amperes hours, age, and so on..)
- Where you live
- A picture of your scooter (if possible)
- How and When you use it
Thx
I have a boat which uses 2 batteries for cabin and engine. I have a 10watt solar panel and would like to know if I need a battery regulator as I may not use the boat for a month or 2 at a time and would not to over charge and damage the batteries. If I dont need one should I fit a one way diode?
Ant info would be most appreciated
Regards
Eric Faller
Ipurchased a ColemanCL-60t0 9 watt Solar Battery Charger for my Nautilus 625 amp Deep Cycle marine battery with a reserve Capacity of 120 min/ 70 AH. We have a 55 lb. thrust Minn Kota motor to use on our sailboat for close manouvering and docking , 2 or 3 times per week.. Will this charger be of any use in preserving battery life? The battery weighs 48 lbs. and I would prefer not to have to remove and charge it too often. Will I require a battery charge controller. Is there a better system with approximately the same surface area, approximately 24″ by 20″. Thankyou
I have a motorguide 54lbs thrust motor for a small 14ft fishing boat, I am trying to decide on what size battery I will need and am looking for recommendations on a solar panel to keep the battery charged as I will be fishing in areas without electrical. I am still looking for the amp draws that the motor will generate, but was wondering if anyone has a similar setup or can recommend a configuration that will work. The boat only has a hand started outboard, no electrical on board to tie into..
thanks in advance,
Jason