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Author Solar Panels - Good solution or nonsense?
blebo
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Registered: 18th Apr 02
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13th Jul 15 at 08:17   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
I was thinking about purchasing this kit from fleabay

Ebay - Link

Its to top up my Dads boat battery when the boat is unattended. It will sit on the roof of the cabin and trickle charge a large leisure battery that is used to start the engine and run the electrics.

Will this produce enough power to make this worth while. I dont understand the calculations for amp hours etc

Thanks
Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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13th Jul 15 at 08:53   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
I'd look at something at least ten times the wattage; if you're lucky you might get nearly an amp (most mains trickle chargers are around an amp) out the thing on a bright sunny day.
Richie
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Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
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13th Jul 15 at 09:45   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
If it's only for keeping the battery in good condition whilst the boat is out of use - then yes that kit will be fine.

What Dom is suggesting is something that would assist with the daily power consumption whilst you were actively using it.
Richie
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Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
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13th Jul 15 at 09:46   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
Also good guide for you - http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/how-to-choose/12V-solar-panel/

In particular this part :

Sometimes it is difficult to estimate the daily power consumption – especially when the power rating of individual appliances is not available or have been lost. In this case we recommend the following high-level approach:

- If you simply need to trickle charge your battery to compensate for self-discharge in your caravan, a small 5W-10W solar panel or charging kit should be sufficient

- In the case of small loads such as energy saving lighting, a stereo, mobile phone charging and low usage of a computer (2-3 hours a day), we would recommend a 40W-50W solar panel or charging kit for your motorhome

- For larger loads or heavier use including non-energy saving light bulbs, large TVs, frequent use of water pumps or other equipment, we would recommend a larger 80W-100W charging kit or solar panel.

[Edited on 13-07-2015 by Richie]
DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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13th Jul 15 at 09:53   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
10W will just about keep an average sized leisure battery topped up.. Personally I'd go for bigger

Remember to use a charge controller, never directly connect the panel to the battery as it will eventually kill the battery.

[Edited on 13-07-2015 by DaveyLC]
Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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13th Jul 15 at 11:09   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Richie
... then yes that kit will be fine.


Really? Most trickle chargers are amps not < 100mA which is what you'd get out of a 10w eBay special panel, if you're lucky
Richie
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Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
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13th Jul 15 at 11:24   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
Agree Dom but judging by the ebay feedback everyone's happy with the kit - and specs say max output is 0.56A. If cost isn't an issue then I'd personally grab a 30w kit.

If the battery is in good condition then the self discharge rate shouldn't exceed what that kit pumps out. I'm pretty sure my Dad has a crappy kit on his Case 480F at the farm and it works well.
DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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13th Jul 15 at 11:28   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Dom
quote:
Originally posted by Richie
... then yes that kit will be fine.


Really? Most trickle chargers are amps not < 100mA which is what you'd get out of a 10w eBay special panel, if you're lucky


10w @12v = 800mA.

[Edited on 13-07-2015 by DaveyLC]
Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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13th Jul 15 at 11:40   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Richie
....the self discharge rate shouldn't exceed what that kit pumps out.


True; i guess that is all that matters.

quote:
Originally posted by DaveyLC
10w @12v = 80mA.


10 / 12 = 0.83A or 830mA.
DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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13th Jul 15 at 11:48   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
Sorry missed a zero..
blebo
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Registered: 18th Apr 02
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13th Jul 15 at 13:09   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
Cheers for the info. I should have said above that the boat engine has an alternator will charge when the motor is running. I am more concerned about compensation for natural loss and running the stereo when in dock carrying out maintenance. Its a standard car radio that we use.

I just want the battery to be 100% charge every time I go to use the boat (once or twice a week)

[Edited on 13-07-2015 by blebo]
3CorsaMeal
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Registered: 11th Apr 02
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13th Jul 15 at 14:41   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote
What about buying one of them jumpstart power packs instead?

 
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