I installed a 50W solar panel last summer to keep batteries topped off at the mooring. I bought one sized to fit the sliding companionway hatch. I ran the wires to a 12v outlet plug near the start panel and from there to a charge controller mounted in the lazarette. I leave it just sitting on the hatch when gone and unplug it and throw it on the rear mattress when I get to the boat. It is heavy enough that it is not going anywhere short of a serious gale, but light enough that it is easy to move around. It worked great last season and well worth the time investment to get the wiring installed. Dave
On Feb 25, 2015, at 3:36 PM, Eric Frank via CnC-List <[email protected]> wrote: > Ed, > But it takes only a small panel to provide adequate current to keep them > topped off. You will need your alternator when using the batteries for > cruising, of course, but sitting on the mooring, even 0.5 - 1 amp is > sufficient. That's all I use on Cat's Paw (kept on a mooring); I have a > small solar panel on the forward hatch. Even with a small panel, though, I > recommend a simple charge regulator to stop the charging when the batteries > are topped up. > > Eric Frank > Cat's Paw, C&C 35 Mk II > >> One thing to keep in mind is wet cells can lose up to 10% of charge per >> month and gels only lose around 1%. For a boat on a mooring or otherwise off >> shore power this can be a factor. >> If you go wet cells on a mooring you will want a solar panel to keep them >> topped off. >> >> Joe Della Barba >> Coquina >> C&C 35 MK I > > > _______________________________________________ > > Email address: > [email protected] > To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom > of page at: > http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com > Aries 1990 C&C 34+ New London, CT
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