solar battery charging

[ericcs]

Does anyone use a solar panel to trickle charge and maintain their batteries. i have 2 marine batteries which are charged with 2 trickle chargers, but i want to use 1 solar panel.would a regulated 20w panel be sufficient?

[blairv70]

Hey

I do pretty much the same thing - I have a dual solar regulator that will work on two batteries wired into the cabin and a 40W flexible pane on top of the canopy. I have just replaced the first battery after 6 years - I reckon it is a great idea and extends the life of the battery substantially.

[Volvo]

Should be able to get a 100 W solar panel and a regulator cheap enough online , Use 6 to 8 gauge wire and get that regulator up as close to he batteries as possible. On the to do list for me at a later date and way i will go.

[jclay1773]

100w is way overkill. I have a 20w on shed roof. Cycle batteries on / off weekly. Regulator basically stays in float rate the entire time. Century batteries 6yrs old and still going good.

[ericcs]

100w is way overkill. I have a 20w on shed roof. Cycle batteries on / off weekly. Regulator basically stays in float rate the entire time. Century batteries 6yrs old and still going good.

was thinking a 20w panel would be enough. i'm wondering if it's enough to have both batteries trickle charging at the same time?

[Dignity]

I had a quality 10w at one stage and it would keep two batteries on a float charge albeit it took a week or so to get there, I think 20w will do the trick. A 100w is overkill but often you can pick one up for a similar price to a lower wattage panel. The regulator is probably more important, if you have gell batteries unless they are in good condition and you are only using the panels to maintain a charge you could struggle, these usually need a bit of grunt to charge up.

[Volvo]

Yep might be right there ??, but depends how much your electrics draw , what your running and the knowledge while your up and running about you will have enough battery life especially if your running a live bait tank as well as maybe two sounders etc etc..
Just a trickle feed during the week or two while your Boat may be laid up and doing nothing mightr justify a 20 0r so watter but be me ide go the 100W and have peace of mind.
Have a Van with two 100 Watters and can tell you at times it doesnt do the trick and 400 five hundred watts be more to my likeing , but anyhow go which way you like but make sure your regulator is up close to the batteries...