warwicksail
Well-Known Member
Cany anybody help, trying to find out how much power is needed to trickle charge batterys.
Charging Baterys
- Thread starter warwicksail
- Start date
davidbfox
Well-Known Member
It's worth buying a smart charger, about £40 when I got mine from a motorbike shop.
Charges, diagnoses faults, condemns useless batteries, trickle charges. You can leave it without worrying about it.
It's really worth the money I think.
Charges, diagnoses faults, condemns useless batteries, trickle charges. You can leave it without worrying about it.
It's really worth the money I think.
warwicksail
Well-Known Member
Sorry shore charging is sorted trying to find a solution to charging at sea, I have an alternator output on my mariner sailmate 8hp, but hope not to be using it all that often.
I have seen lots of solar pannels which say they will do the job for a very low price and was wondering if they do the job or will a turbine be better.
I have seen lots of solar pannels which say they will do the job for a very low price and was wondering if they do the job or will a turbine be better.
davidbfox
Well-Known Member
Ah - misunderstood - good luck.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
in view of the forecast i tied-up my Aerogen 4 today /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
simonfraser
Well-Known Member
outboard - forget it - not on often enough
25W of solar cell will keep 110A of battery going & provide enough for plotter/eberspacher/autohelm for the weekend.
you'll have to mount the panels near vertical if you want them to work during the winter in the UK.
wind power, plenty of it tomorrow /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif but, noisy and good at altering your body if you get to close to them, i don't like them for weekend use.
25W of solar cell will keep 110A of battery going & provide enough for plotter/eberspacher/autohelm for the weekend.
you'll have to mount the panels near vertical if you want them to work during the winter in the UK.
wind power, plenty of it tomorrow /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif but, noisy and good at altering your body if you get to close to them, i don't like them for weekend use.
William_H
Well-Known Member
Trickle charge is normally a term used to maintain a battery in good condition while inactive to counteract inherent natural self discharge.
So a current of about .5% of amp hour rating ie half an amp for 100 amp hour battery might be OK.
On the other extreme a 100AH battery can probably tolerate up to 5 amps without a regulator to keep it very well charged and allow for a bit of use.
Now a 5 amp solar panel is a big thing generally requiring a gantry to support it and of course current will average a lot less in winter or if on a swing mooring where the panel can not be orientated to the sun(at midday)
A half amp panel 10watt is about 30 by 40 cms and is not so difficult to locate. I attach mine to the boom/sail cover when I leave the boat. This means when sailing the panel is removed to safety. Previously I mounted panels on the front hatch cover and they were damaged by feet or spin poles etc.
A 10 watt panel will probably be usefull to you. If you buy a smaller cheaper panel ie the 1/10 amp ones promoted for cars they aree easier to mount but the current especially in UK in winter may be all but useless.
I run a small 4 watt panel as my only current supply but then my drain is occasional radio or lights and it is only used in Oz summer.
So ultimately your decision will be based on cost and convenience versus actual performance. olewill
So a current of about .5% of amp hour rating ie half an amp for 100 amp hour battery might be OK.
On the other extreme a 100AH battery can probably tolerate up to 5 amps without a regulator to keep it very well charged and allow for a bit of use.
Now a 5 amp solar panel is a big thing generally requiring a gantry to support it and of course current will average a lot less in winter or if on a swing mooring where the panel can not be orientated to the sun(at midday)
A half amp panel 10watt is about 30 by 40 cms and is not so difficult to locate. I attach mine to the boom/sail cover when I leave the boat. This means when sailing the panel is removed to safety. Previously I mounted panels on the front hatch cover and they were damaged by feet or spin poles etc.
A 10 watt panel will probably be usefull to you. If you buy a smaller cheaper panel ie the 1/10 amp ones promoted for cars they aree easier to mount but the current especially in UK in winter may be all but useless.
I run a small 4 watt panel as my only current supply but then my drain is occasional radio or lights and it is only used in Oz summer.
So ultimately your decision will be based on cost and convenience versus actual performance. olewill
Boatman
Well-Known Member
"in view of the forecast i tied-up my Aerogen 4 today "
I haven't and it's never been a problem, but then not here at the mo, but seriously in 63+ knts wind (more than once) they still didn't have a problem they are built like brick .... houses as long as you got a good regulator.
My last 2 areogen 4s came with a dual bank charging regulator via a splitter (but that was what I requested) so am not sure if it is standard.
I haven't and it's never been a problem, but then not here at the mo, but seriously in 63+ knts wind (more than once) they still didn't have a problem they are built like brick .... houses as long as you got a good regulator.
My last 2 areogen 4s came with a dual bank charging regulator via a splitter (but that was what I requested) so am not sure if it is standard.
warwicksail
Well-Known Member
O.K. so solar pannels are a good thing by the sound of it. What kind of price am I looking at and are there any specific types best suited cheers guys /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
