Solar Panel Trickle Chargers

[quigley595]

Hi folks,
has any of you guys used these trickle chargers? I was thinking of getting one from Battery World to try it out, but the output is only 750 mA for a 10 Watt panel.
I was assured by them that this would be fine. Considering they are supposed to be the experts, I should just accept what they tell me, but I thought I would rely on actual feedback from you guys!!!

And if any of you HAVE used them, I was thinking of putting it on the dash, behind the windscreen (to discourage the sharefarmers). I know it will be less efficient in this position, but will it work at all?

Any thoughts??

regards
Mike

[snelly1971]

I have seen one installed.but it was a 2amp i think...owner reckons it works great..especially when the boats sitting around for so long.

[impulse492f]

I have this one and have used it for about 8 months with no prolems at all. On a bright sunny day it increases the voltage from 12.3 to 12.8 so it holds the battery in good charge all day. In fact I left the twin fluro on in the cab for 2 days and the battery stayed over 12.3

It supplies 100-120mA

[FishOn]

Just bought a 18w (yesterday) which I intend to set on the shed roof. It is it not set up yet.

Have two batteries I want to trickle charge continuously - Century 600 starting battery and 130ah deepcycle. I expect this will stop any degeneration between uses. Unfortunately work has got in the way of the weekly excursion.

Going to set up permanent plug-in connection to each battery and just plug the leads from the regulator to the batteries when the boat goes back in the shed. Have got a small regulator to ensure that when charging one or two batteries, they are not over charged. Because it is a high shed I have about 7-8m from the panel to the batteries I was advised to use 6mm core cable to ensure there is no voltage drop over that distance.

Kind regards Trevor

[FishOn]

Just bought a 18w (yesterday) which I intend to set on the shed roof. It is it not set up yet.

Have two batteries I want to trickle charge continuously - Century 600 starting battery and 130ah deepcycle. I expect this will stop any degeneration between uses. Unfortunately work has got in the way of the weekly excursion.

Going to set up permanent plug-in connection to each battery and just plug the leads from the regulator to the batteries when the boat goes back in the shed. Have got a small regulator to ensure that when charging one or two batteries, they are not over charged. Because it is a high shed I have about 7-8m from the panel to the batteries I was advised to use 6mm core cable to ensure there is no voltage drop over that distance.

Kind regards Trevor

[Kendall249]

Good idea, might look into getting one. What sort of price would I be looking at?

[quigley595]

Thanks for your replies folks.

I just bought the 10 watt panel, with 750 mA.
Unfortunately it doesnt say on the packaging if it has a non-reversing diode, so I guess I will just have to plug it in and try it.

Thanks again!
Mike

[capt]

Just bought a 18w (yesterday) which I intend to set on the shed roof. It is it not set up yet.

Have two batteries I want to trickle charge continuously - Century 600 starting battery and 130ah deepcycle. I expect this will stop any degeneration between uses. Unfortunately work has got in the way of the weekly excursion.

Going to set up permanent plug-in connection to each battery and just plug the leads from the regulator to the batteries when the boat goes back in the shed. Have got a small regulator to ensure that when charging one or two batteries, they are not over charged. Because it is a high shed I have about 7-8m from the panel to the batteries I was advised to use 6mm core cable to ensure there is no voltage drop over that distance.

Kind regards Trevor

Yeah Trevor , I plan to do just that.... great idea . Have you set it up yet ... How much $ ... and where did you purchase it from ? Jimmy

[FishOn]

Have not completed it yet. Been making the frame to go on the roof. Purchased the panel ($225, retail $259 and regulator $55 I think from Battery World. Probably could have done better elswhere but I was too busy to chase other options. Regulator is capable of managing the three stages of charging.

The panel was a Battery saver SE. It came a number of different connectors (male and female lighter connectors, clips, wire tails, connector for connecting two panels, and a couple of others) so this would have added to the price, but I though it would be handy to have them all.

Going to take cable from the panel to the post next to the boat. Two sets of cables from the regulator to plugs that can simply plug into other plugs on short cable from each battery. I am hoping that charging both batteries I will be able to not just maintain them, but slightly improve the charge state of each battery. If I want/need to connect just one battery then that is an easy option by not plugging in the second battery.

Kind regards Trevor

[Fisherdan]

All things being equal I would say go for it with those cheap amorphous solar panels.
There are the good ones and the bad ones. Some are voltage regulated and some are not.

Some mini self regulating units have a regulator (zenner diode or similar) in them that stops the voltage going over 12.7 or 13.8volts. Anything above this on a fully charged battery and you risk overcharging your battery and using water if too many amps are available from the panel.
Some don’t have the Diode but instead cannot produce more than 15volts so are called self regulating. A bit misleading as it also draws power back into the panel at night. They are a good stop gap trickle charger used 2-4 weeks in a row but wouldn’t leave them for 6 months without checking the battery.
Remember these mini panels are a maintenance charger and not a bulk charger. If you attach a flat 80Ah battery and expect it to charge it forget it.. 80amps @ an average of 200mA for 4hours a day will never charge.. You will damage your cells due to them sitting flat for too long. Charge the battery first overnight with a standard battery charger and then put the float/maintenance solar panel on it.

With any solar panel or charger connected to a battery you need to be aware of the fact that you must check your water level on your battery regularly. Unless it is a sealed maintenance free. If you are charging right it will use water on a standard open cell battery. if you are overcharging a sealed battery you will damage your cells or get expansion of case.

Larger panels like the 10watt 12v ones need a regulator. As they can supply full Amps at 16volts+ once your battery is full. Destroying, damaging or shortening your battery life.
The regulator will also stop drain of battery back into the panel at night.

You can get 5amp regulators as cheap as $35.00 for basic LED ones. Well worth the investment when you are talking expensive batteries.
Search places like online solar shops or oztion.com.au if you want to find simple regulators cheap. Remember that most cheap units will not be marine sealed so will need to be protected from the elements and salt water and salt air.

Have fun.

[murf]

Hi Fisherdan
welcome to Ausfish
some very good info you have posted there. i am guessing a lot of experience in the battery electronics area?
cheers Murf

[Fisherdan]

I have spent at least the last 15 years in and out of the marine industry including a few years in the Navy. Also lived aboard a few large boats since the navy and have done a lot of work on charging and battery systems.. Including educating some marine mechanics and electricians on how it should be done rather than how it can be done the cheapest. Cheap now can cost big bucks in replacing things too often.
Now do boating mainly as recreational but happy to impart technical advice.
I hate to see people break expensive batteries. I stick to the facts and not opinions and am happy to admit when im wrong. So I hope I can help people.

I have also been involved in electronics as well as a lot of design of marine dual and triple battery systems and design of battery chargers, solar regulators and remote power systems including solar only charging systems.
There are so many myths out there and so many electricians that get it wrong it is scary. So read between the lines when it comes to sales blurbs. And choose fit for purpose products.

had my hat in a lot of rings in the past.. Salty old sea dog.. now off my soap box and back to work fixing these @#$%@#$% computers.. Why did I ever get into the IT industry?????

Dan.

[Duyz72]

This is what ausfish is all about, getting in touch with blokes to share information and have access to blokes (and bloke'etes) who know their stuff.