Solar panel trickle charger.

[Persistence]

Have any of you guys set up a solar panel to keep the battery charged while parked at home?

I'm looking to set up a panel on the roof of the garage where the boat is charged and run the wiring to the boat battery to keep it topped up.
Just starting to look at what I'll need; size of panel, controller etc.

I do have a a really good Ctek charger that I usually attach to a day or so before I use the boat. It charges and maintains.

[ducky]

I've ensured I've got the battery wired directly to an isolator with no other connections on the line side. So when the battery is isolated there can't be any parasitic draw.

I also bought a retractable hose reel style electrical lead that I've installed above where the boat lives. So I can just pull the lead down to where I need it. Been doing some work on the boat the past few days and it's been golden for running the heat gun/vacuum cleaner etc.

[purple5ive]

Have any of you guys set up a solar panel to keep the battery charged while parked at home?

I'm looking to set up a panel on the roof of the garage where the boat is charged and run the wiring to the boat battery to keep it topped up.
Just starting to look at what I'll need; size of panel, controller etc.

I do have a a really good Ctek charger that I usually attach to a day or so before I use the boat. It charges and maintains.

Ive been wanting to do this since I got the boat, never got around to it.
I always charge the boat once it's back from a trip, but the solar panel can be a trickle charge to keep the battery topped up.
There's a few you can buy from bcf etc, just never got around to it.

[ducky]

By the time you buy a panel and install it you'd have spent more money than the electricity would cost you to just hook up the maintenance charger you already own.

I used to run a 20W panel as a maintenance charger when the boat lived in the front yard and leads were a pain but it was a waste of time imo. A healthy battery with a good isolator won't deplete much at all. Just give it a charge the night before the session if it's been over a month.

[purple5ive]

Might just stick with the wall charger then If thats the case.

[dmck]

I also bought a retractable hose reel style electrical lead that I've installed above where the boat lives. So I can just pull the lead down to where I need it. Been doing some work on the boat the past few days and it's been golden for running the heat gun/vacuum cleaner etc.

Ducky, ALWAYS undo as much of the lead as possible. Coiled electrical leads are prone to overheating and catching alight. I cant find my photos to post but if you search the WWW you will find heaps.
Start here.. https://electronics.stackexchange.com/q ... nsion-cord

[ducky]

I also bought a retractable hose reel style electrical lead that I've installed above where the boat lives. So I can just pull the lead down to where I need it. Been doing some work on the boat the past few days and it's been golden for running the heat gun/vacuum cleaner etc.

Ducky, ALWAYS undo as much of the lead as possible. Coiled electrical leads are prone to overheating and catching alight. I cant find my photos to post but if you search the WWW you will find heaps.
Start here.. https://electronics.stackexchange.com/q ... nsion-cord

On heavy loads yes. Not running a 7.5A charger. Even the heat gun, for the time I run it will never pose a concern.

[dmck]

"On heavy loads yes. Not running a 7.5A charger. Even the heat gun, for the time I run it will never pose a concern."

Good that you are aware.... I trust you dont forget.. !!!!

[purple5ive]

"On heavy loads yes. Not running a 7.5A charger. Even the heat gun, for the time I run it will never pose a concern."

Good that you are aware.... I trust you dont forget.. !!!!

he is a sparky mate.

[dmck]

Good that you are aware.... I trust you dont forget.. !!!!
[/quote]

he is a sparky mate.
[/quote]

That obviously helps !! I trust our comments are a warning to the un-informed.