Solar Panel Tickle charger

[jgellis15]

I know somebody has already discussed this in great length, but I am wanting to put a solar panel on my mac 25 to keep the marine batteries topped off....I have one battery now...and will probably be adding another one for stero/cabin lights etc....
I was going to keep the two batteries on different circuits...so I could protect my Nav lights/VHF radio battery for safety reasons...
So I am guessing I need two solar panels? One for each battery?
And if someone could point me to the right thread...I will read which solar panel you guys have already decided is the best one to get for our sailboats.....
Thanks,
Greg

[Jack Sparrow]

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=865

One panel will do the job, you will need 2 of the diodes one in each of the postive cables to each battery.

Jack Sparrow

[craiglaforce]

Tickle Charger? Tickling should be done manually. Just my opinion.

[Québec 1]

I can't let this pass its too easy!!!
If you tickle my fancy long enough you will end up charging my battery! But thats okay cause I can easily be discharged .... shocking

[c130king]

Back on topic...

If you have two batteries connected with a Yandina Battery Combiner will one single tRickle charger work for both batteries through the combiner...or do you need to configure something special?

Thanks,
Jim

[Scott]

I am also interested to know will a trickle charger as Jack has, wired directly into the battery overcharge the battery?

How to limit the Charge or make it a maintainer instead of straight charger?

My power needs are not quite what has been discussed here. I power a speaker, an I-Pod and every now and again, lights.

[Richard_Norman]

Back on topic...

If you have two batteries connected with a Yandina Battery Combiner will one single tRickle charger work for both batteries through the combiner...or do you need to configure something special?

Thanks,
Jim

I have been using a Yandina combiner with 2 batteries and a 10W solar panel for about a year. No problems so far.

[c130king]

Richard,

Do you just hook the solar panel to one of the batteries and the combiner will automatically do its thing and share the charge? Can you give a few details on how you hook yours up? I am already installing a new battery switch, Yandina Combiner, and 2 x Group 24 batteries over Christmas. I might just make a solar trickle charger another Christmas present to myself.

Thanks,
Jim

[J.Teixeira]

Hi

There is a very interesting solar panel for sailboats.

I am installing one of those in mi boat this winter. I already purchased it...



Electrical properties: Pmax 20 W; Vpm 17.9 V; Ipm 1.13 A; Voc 22.0 V; Isc 1.27 A.
Minimal back current, thus a blocking diode is not needed nor is one desirable as it consumes more energy than it saves.

If the panel is permanently connected to a battery bank having a capacity of less than 120 Ah or a sealed ("maintenance free/spillproof") battery we recommend the use of a solar charge regulator.

(So for 2 batteries I don't think that you even need a regulator)

Price is about 300 USD

You can also find it on the ebay.

There is a US site.

http://www.aurinco.com/pvbw020_us.html

Jose

[March]

Jim:
My charger is connected to the house battery only. When the battery gets full, the combiner automatically switches to the engine battery. When they are both full, the charger automatically cuts off. Likewise, when the engine charges its battery fully, the combiner automatically switches to the house battery.

Mine is a Xantrex Pathmaker. I don't know the Yandina, but the principle ought to be the same

[Richard_Norman]

Richard,

Do you just hook the solar panel to one of the batteries and the combiner will automatically do its thing and share the charge? Can you give a few details on how you hook yours up? I am already installing a new battery switch, Yandina Combiner, and 2 x Group 24 batteries over Christmas. I might just make a solar trickle charger another Christmas present to myself.

Thanks,
Jim

I have hooked the engine to the cranking battery, the solar charger to the house battery and placed the combiner between the two. I also have a 2 battery switch (1, 2, both) that I can use if the starting battery is too low to crank the engine.

So far, no issues - the diagram for this was included with the Yandina unit (except for the solar).

[c130king]

Richard,

Thanks. I will probably go ahead and try it.

Cheers,
Jim

[Trouts Dream]

Best item I purchased for the electrics was the combiner. Ran all season on one battery, second battery was for backup (also installed LED lights). Everytime I ran the engine it charged the main battery until near the top and then topped up both batteries simultaneously. Worked very well and the second battery was never below 90% when I checked with the voltmeter.

My t(r)ickle charger was only attached to one battery and kept both batteries well charged over the winter.

Just my 2 cents worth

[c130king]

Fellas,

Can I get a comment or two about specific solar trickle chargers. Here are two:

Sunsui SE-150 Solar Panel

2.25 watt/150mA..I presume that is enough to keep a battery topped off while the boat is sitting idle? "Indoor use only" ???? ...how/where would you mount something like this? Price is right at $35 at WM $36 at Defender.

400mA Charger

This one is 6w and twice the price.

Got to order soon to ensure it gets to Florida before Christmas. And I have to do my part to help out the economy...do I smell a set of cockpit cushions as well?

Thoughts? (on the chargers, not the cushions)

Thanks,
Jim

[Scott]

Still havent seen a reply to a solar charger hooked directly to a battery frying the battery.

Will it?, Can it?