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Discussion Topic: Solar Battery Chargers
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DaveR |
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I am thinking about installing a solar battery charger on my boat to keep the domestic battery bank charged up.
Any advise would be appreciated including what make of charger would be the best to fit.
Dave R..
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BroadAmbition |
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What type depends on how deep your pockets are my friend. Ours was around the £500 mark at the time. The new generation of panels are now much thinner, flexible and can be walked on too. Solar panel prices are slowly falling in price and raising in performance.
If we were in the market place for one now I would go for one of the flexi stand-on type. As to what would be the best make - no idea, suggest you do some research, other on here may well know better than me (Not a difficult one that) Ours only charges the starting battery, we are thinking of fitting a crossover switching system to enable it to charge the domestics as well.
My top tip on buying many 'boaty things' (learnt since we commissioned) is having a local supplier with back up and advice is worth paying a small premium on top for, this has paid dividends for us.
Hope this helps.
Don't seem to have a decent photo of it, must be the only thing I have not got!!
Griff
'Broad Ambition' - 'Dreams do come true' - Afloat at last 06-10-07
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Tim |
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Hi Dave
Try Colin Facey the panels and controller he sold my mate have been producing up to 17 amps this summer cant comment on cost as he got them last year but for the domestics you will need a good output so they are spot on
Many Thanks Tim
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BroadAmbition |
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He's the chap we got ours from too.
Not sure if he is still operating now that Woods Dyke yard has ceased trading though
Griff
'Broad Ambition' - 'Dreams do come true' - Afloat at last 06-10-07
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Mowjo |
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You could give this site a look, It does all types of solar stuff including the walk on powerfilm that Griff mentions, they are good on price as well,,,, a 20w powerfilm is around £316, and they do all the trickle chargers as well http://www.solarkitsdirect.co.uk/default.asp
I'm Not CRAZY, my view on reality is just different to YOURS,,,
This message was edited by Mowjo on Oct-13-08 @ 2:20 PM
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steve |
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hi there ,
link to more solar panel infomation on this site link,
http://www.the-norfolk-broads.co.uk/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=38&Topic=1412&srow=42&erow=52
cheers
steve and vicky
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donnyvron |
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If you do a search on something like Google you'll find there are at least 3 different kinds of solar panel. All in a wide range of Wattage.
Mid Summer Energy
We fixed two pannels to our boat, both 12 Watt. Fitted via a regulater direct to our domestic batteries. Bought them via ebay at about £45 each from a firm in Germany, regulator cost about £15 direct from China.
Solar World
No you cant walk on them, but they are mounted in an area which shouldn't be walked on anyway.
Graeme
All right so what is the technical name, sharp end or pointy end?
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donnyvron |
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Just to add, ours are amorphous silicon.
The reason we chose them?
quote:"......
The disadvantage of amorphous panels is that they are not as efficient per unit area as monocrystalline panels - typically you will need nearly double the area for the same power output. Having said that, for a given power rating they do perform better at low light levels than crystalline panels - which is worth having on a dismal winters day.
......."
Graeme
All right so what is the technical name, sharp end or pointy end?
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robinw |
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Hi Dave, we use this type of solar charger
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=98358y
we use one on the domestic and one on the starter battery.
Robin.
Cruising is fine but I would rather be sailing, long live sailies
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DaveR |
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Many thanks for all the information received so far on my post re solar chargers - its appreciated. Dave R
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Oct-12-2008 @ 9:41 PM
