Flexible solar panels for trickle charging

[[32511]]

My last but one boat had a slightly flexible solar panel, which followed the curve of a hatch, and could even resist the odd footprint. It was used for trickle charging the 12v battery, so not a huge output.
I can't find anything similar- all the panels seem to have rigid aluminium frames.
Anyone know of anything like it? preferably incorporating something to prevent it draining the battery at night time.

 

[JumbleDuck]

My last but one boat had a slightly flexible solar panel, which followed the curve of a hatch, and could even resist the odd footprint. It was used for trickle charging the 12v battery, so not a huge output.
I can't find anything similar- all the panels seem to have rigid aluminium frames.
Anyone know of anything like it? preferably incorporating something to prevent it draining the battery at night time.

Loads and loads and loads and loads of them around. Search for "semi-flexible solar panel". For example, have a look at http://www.force4.co.uk/department/electrical/solar-power-wind-chargers/solar-panels.html

 

[[32511]]

Thanks JD- that Spectra one seems to be what I want.

 

[jac]

Thanks JD- that Spectra one seems to be what I want.

Do have a proper look round, when selecting a panel recently it was surprising how much prices, sizes, outputs varied.i found a good range at sunstore solar

 

[single]

Do have a proper look round, when selecting a panel recently it was surprising how much prices, sizes, outputs varied.i found a good range at sunstore solar

+1

 

[JumbleDuck]

Thanks JD- that Spectra one seems to be what I want.

Spectra are good, but extremely expensive. I bought two 50W panels from eBay last year, one fairly generic Chinese for £100 and one rather better US made for £150. I don;t expect them to last as long as the posh ones would, but since the same wattage in Sunware would have cost me four times as much, I can put up with a rather shorter lifespan.

I have found Photonic Universe to be pretty good for solar stuff. Just a customer.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

http://www.pennygreenfingers.net/60w80w100w-semi-flexible-solar-panels.aspx
I have one of these. Good price and work well.
PS just a customer

 

[ffiill]

For about 6 years I have been using a small fixed frame one of about 10 watts aprox.one foot square.
It has spent that time permanently linked to my 110 ah starter battery.
It does its job very well- last week I fired up my merc om636 for the first time in 13 months with no problem apart from the injectors being a little sticky to start with.

 

[Trundlebug]

http://www.pennygreenfingers.net/60w80w100w-semi-flexible-solar-panels.aspx
I have one of these. Good price and work well.
PS just a customer

Yep I've just fitted a 150w semi flexible bought from Titan Energy (related to link in your post) ready for the forthcoming season.
Appears to be working well already. Great price and just the right size for my sunroof.

Tip: When installing, ensure you seal all round the panel edges with suitable sealant / adhesive. The main cause of failure from what I've read is delamination from the edges.