Trojan Boat Forum

Hi all,

Anybody out there using solar panels to keep the battery charged when out. If so, sure would like to hear what your system is and how it's set up.

I found a 45 watt, 3 panel, complete system on Amazon. com. It includes the charge regulator, frame and all. I was going to install it on the hardtop.

I want to recharge the house battery which will then power the 1500 watt inverter to operate my small fridge when out for the day. I thought of a generator, but would hate the noise.

Thanks.

Larry

It won't keep up with your inverter /refrige , the max output from the pannel would be just under 4 amps @12 volt and thats max any overcast and it will be less .

There are some folks using inverter hear the use muti batteries and rechage useing the enigine or back at the dock . Hopefully onr of them will see this post and give you some info

Hi Larry, I have 4-6volt golf cart batteries in two 12volt banks.....I can run asmall refer, tv and micro for a couple days with this setup...........I have a 2KW Heart inverter.......if I recall, you don't plan to over night so you should be good with a couple 12v batts. just make sure your starter batt is isolated............John

look in to the Honda inverters to recharge your batteries and go with the 6 volts they'll last much longer than any 12v. Keep in mind this is not a cheap thing you are about to get in to.
But if I didn't have a gen set I would start with the battery bank first and a good charger/dc inverter then see if you need the Honda genny. A lot of guys have set ups like this so you will be getting ideals how to do this. And those panels are for Ragbags (sail boats ) the live like trolls on those things and need all the dc power they can get

5 years on solar charging without shore power!

My dock is 350 foot long, so I haven't run AC out (yet), so we have solar panels (cheap at Harbor Freight). They sit on the front of the lower helm - and keep it all charged up.

Larry, your idea on solar charging is a good one, but I agree with others that your solar panel size (wattage) will be too low if you want to depend on it to run your inverter. Mounting on the hardtop is a perfect spot. Check out the Harbor Freight site for prices and sizes. Somebody else on this site has a 25 and they use solar panels for power. Can't remember who, but they should have plenty of advice on this. I use a Honda 2000EI genny when staying out for extended (>2 days) times out on the lake, and used it when were "on the wall" at some towns on the Erie Canal that did not provide shore power.). It's pretty quiet and you only need it to charge your house bank as long as you've isolated your engine battery. Still, I like the solar panel idea a lot, just think you may want to get more wattage than what you're looking at on Amazon.

Thank you all for your comments. I was thinking more on the lines of, not so much of keeping the battery fully charged, but to slow down the discharge of the battery enough to get me a full day on the water, say,,,,12 to 16 hours, keeping the fridge cold? I do have a microwave, I would like to use 3 or 4 times a day perhaps? I would like to stay overnite it I thought we could?

Then use my shore power recharger to max it out later. I thought by charging with solar panels, I could get by with one deep charging battery instead of the two battery system?

I got this idea from a picture I saw somewhere, can't remember where, of a boat that had 4 solar panels on top of the hardtop. I also saw a 4 panel system on Amazon for $277.00 that put out 60 watts.

This problem has been rolling around in my head for while. I need to get as much bang for the buck as possible.

Thanks again to all of your suggestions. The more info I have will help in my decision making process.

Larry

For AC, fridge or microwave, I turn Genny on ... and she gets it done!

John,

Is your refer a 12v or 110v? Mine runs off 110, so if you can get 2 days with your setup, and have a 110v refer, then I should be able to do the same?

Thanks very much

Larry

John,

I assume your running the batteries through the 2000w inverter to get 110 power to operate the items you mentioned?

Thanks

Larry

Larry, Refer, micro and TV are 110v run through the inverter. Lights and stereo are 12V. Test your system in the marina with shore power disconnected, then you will know exactly what your capabilities are. My inverter tells me how many hours of power I have left (until 50% discharge) with current draw so when the refer cycles on the hours decrease dramatically when it cycles off hours go way back up. I also have an electronsan treatment center that draws about 30 amps. When it cycles hours left go to single digits when cycle completes hours go way back up. I can do 2 nights and 3 days on batts alone. I also have a 140 amp alternator on the port motor. I can idle the motor and charge batts but never really had to do that.............John

John,

You have told me exactly what I needed to know. I will now invest in 2, 12 volt deep cycle batteries instead of the solar recharging, my problem is solved!

You have been a great help, and I thank you very much and everyone's comments.

Larry

Larry,

You can put an inexpensive $35 solar panel in the window to add charge during the day. No need for any special charging electronics as the 10-15 Watts occasionally. Plus, it will keep your batteries charged if the power goes out (like it does here during hurricanes).