Comments on: Reviews of Marine Solar Boat Battery Chargers 12 Volt

By: Ole

Ole — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 03:49:38 +0000

how big a solar panel would you need to keep a battery charged while hanging out on the boat playing the stereo? (Just stereo and two speakers, no amps etc.)

By: Jezz

Jezz — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 09:39:35 +0000

I have two 105 amp batteries. What kind of solar panel do I need to keep them charged? How much wattage is required?

Thanks
Jezz

By: trever

trever — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 20:39:15 +0000

i have a boat i was thinking of using a solar panel on and i dont know what solar panel to get for it. i have a 12v deep cycle marine battery. i was looking at a 1.8 watt solar panel but dont know if that will keep my battery charged

By: Michael L. Wiley

Michael L. Wiley — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 20:31:23 +0000

I have recently purchased a Minn Kota 50# Trolling Motor for home built Transom for my 17′ canoe. I use it on rivers and only are particularly in heavier currents. I fish moving water. I am requiring a a solar system than I can lay out on the conoe while in sunny areas but mostly up into rivers where humans are not visible for decades. I am seeking a solar powered system that will equate with the power of the motor and for how long. What solar panel and what deep cell recharge time will it require. The trolling motor I am looking at is rated 115amH. The trolling motor is a Minn Kota 50#. I am just not sure what direction I need to go with in a deedeep cell battery, solar charger, and any other recommended electronics. I have read that “Deep Cell” batteries should be used not further that 51% remaining or reserve, (The reason was that if one should drain the battery dead, that it will not take a full charge again.) Confused, so thought I would call for help from the experts (YOU). Minn Kota cannot recommend anything is does not manufacture or oem. Batteries is one, however they make battery cases that actually show the the remaining power built into a battery and the remaining power in one box. Please advise me as to what I should do, what I should buy? Thank you!

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:35:14 +0000

Do you ship to Canada?

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:32:30 +0000

What if any size solar panel would I need to keep the battery charged that is feeding a 12 volt cooler?

By: Sam Crabtree

Sam Crabtree — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 22:15:18 +0000

Dear Sir

I have six Kyocera solar panels mounted on my sailboat, four rated at 5 amps (75 watt) and two 4 amp (60 watt). These are all in parallel. The peak amperage that I have actually shown on my Link 10 is 27 amps. This system had been controlled with a Xantrex C35, rated at 35 amps.

The system worked fine along the Pacific Coast of California and Mexico and in the Sea of Cortez (Golfo de California to Mexicans) for three years. I left the boat in Chula Vista for a September 2009, not hooked up to electricity, with the refrigerator running. The controller failed while I was gone. The solar panels boiled the batteries (two 6-volt Trojan golf cart batteries in series, 225 amp hours) dry.

Since then I replaced the batteries with one Sears Diehard 100 amp hour battery and have only used the solar panels while I was present to monitor them. I turn off the solar panels and every draw when I leave the boat. Since I’m at the boat about once a week this presently presents no problem.

When starting cruising again I’d replace the battery with the golf cart batteries again.

It is about time that I replaced the controller. Would I be exchanging the overcharging problem of controller failure for the other problem of having the refrigerator kill the battery if I set up the system to stop the solar panel current if the controller failed?

Do you recommend system that would cut off the current if the controller failed?
If you would, how would you recommend it be done?
Which controller would you recommend?

Sam Crabtree

By: RGH

RGH — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:26:04 +0000

i have a 50 HP MOTOR (OUTBOARD) ON A CENTER CONSOLE BOAT IN A BOATHOUSE. I WOULD LIKE TO INSTALL A SOLAR PANEL ON ROOF OF BOATHOUSE TO KEEP BATTERY CHARGED. WHAT SIZE RECHARGER DO I NEED ?

By: Jason Quin

Jason Quin — Sat, 29 May 2010 17:47:21 +0000

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

By: robin drake

robin drake — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:14:52 +0000

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