David, Got my answer from Coleman/Stearns Consumer Service:
The Coleman Solar Charging units are licensed products manufactured and distributed by ICP Solar Technologies, 7075 Place Robert Joncas, Suite 131, Saint Laurent, Quebec H4M 2Z2, Phone: 888-427-7652 or 514-270-5770 Ext. 133, [email protected], http://www.icpsolar.com. That's one possibility - double battery, controller = about $140. Just searched eBay for "solar marine battery charger" and don't know what I'm looking at. I'd leave it hooked up in the cockpit on the mooring. We don't need much house power - just lights, radio, bilge and fresh water pump - plus the starter battery for Universal M-18. Suggestions? Tim Even if the Coleman ones are end-of-life'd, there are a TON of solar panels of all shapes, sizes, and wattage on eBay for cheap. I had picked up a one-watt panel for about $6 (shipped, no less) to trickle charge my car's battery during the week since I take public transit to work. One watt is not much juice but I wanted to squeeze more life out of my 5-year-old battery and that was a cheap way to go about it. Maybe next winter will be the death's door for it...David
