diy solar

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Lead acid battery

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Battlewagon

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Apr 4, 2020
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Using solar power to charge 2 12v batteries in my boat. What watt solar would be recommended and what should I watch out for with lead acid batteries
 
If you just want to keep the batteries topped off I would just get a small 10 or 15 watt panel because you can just hook the panel up to the batteries with no solar controller involved , easy peasy can get em at harbor freight cheap.
If you're going to have bigger draws on the batteries you're going to have to give more information on what you want to run.
 
Nothing much to watch for other than keeping them charged after use and in storage. The pitfalls of them are when youre using them 24/7.
 
6269ed said:
If you just want to keep the batteries topped off I would just get a small 10 or 15 watt panel because you can just hook the panel up to the batteries with no solar controller involved , easy peasy can get em at harbor freight cheap.
If you're going to have bigger draws on the batteries you're going to have to give more information on what you want to run.
Click to expand...
Just running a small 12 volt fan to keep air circulating. I am sure I have to monitor fluid level of the battery.
 
Battlewagon said:
Just running a small 12 volt fan to keep air circulating. I am sure I have to monitor fluid level of the battery.
Click to expand...
Will the fan run all the time? Because a constant draw will need some sort of battery monitoring to ensure you don't run your batteries down to far.
Are your batteries deep cycle or are they just starting batteries, starting batteries only are able to draw down 5-10% before you damage them. Deep cycle you still can only draw them down to 50% .
The 10 or 15 watt solar panels can't keep up with a constant draw.
 
6269ed said:
Will the fan run all the time? Because a constant draw will need some sort of battery monitoring to ensure you don't run your batteries down to far.
Are your batteries deep cycle or are they just starting batteries, starting batteries only are able to draw down 5-10% before you damage them. Deep cycle you still can only draw them down to 50% .
The 10 or 15 watt solar panels can't keep up with a constant draw.
Click to expand...
How about a 50 watt panel?
 
I will add its very nice to have a controller that lets you make custom adjustments, has a detachable display or bluetooth, etc for a bit more $.
 
Ped said:
I will add its very nice to have a controller that lets you make custom adjustments, has a detachable display or bluetooth, etc for a bit more $.
Click to expand...
Yep I totally agree , but at this point you need to watch all Will Prowse beginners videos and from that point forward you will be hooked " the first hits free " well cheap anyway
 
And I will add that if your boat is going to be charging everyday and hooked up to an SCC 24/7 you might want to spend a little more for a better SCC. The Victron 75/15 at around $75 would be pretty worry free. And I suspect your boat and batteries are worth quite a bit more than that.

I have NEVER regretted spending a little more for a quality SCC.
 
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