Maplin Solar Panels

[WayneS]

Has anybody used the cheap solar panels from Maplin on a boat.

I know that they have a fairly low rating (5w or something) but at that cost, why buy a marine version.

Do they work
Are they strong enough that they can be walked on.
etc, etc

Cheers

Wayne

 

[Geoffs]

Yes, I bought one. A 1.8 watt unit for £9.99. Seems to work OK, within it's limits, get about 100mA in strong May sunshine, what there is of it. Gives about 22 volts open circuit.

Wouldn't think you could walk on them, in a plastic housing, and not guaranteed weather proof. I've got mine behind a windscreen, that presumably cuts output down a bit. But for £9.99 I thought worth having a go.

'Man who sail boat into rice field, soon get into paddy'

 

[John_Hampton]

If you need CHEAP solar panels try these people http://www.siemenssolar.co.uk/index.htm
I need 600 Watts for my electric ex-lifeboat and they are the cheapest I can find. Whether you would want to walk on £2,500 worth of solar cells is up to the size of your wallet.

 

[Peter_the_Grate]

I've used one for the last two winters, to keep the battery charged whilst the boat remains unused (approx. 3 months). It keeps the battery fully charged and appears to be able to survive the weather well enough. I wouldn't want to step on it; I'm sure it'd wreck it. I just tie mine to the rail, facing roughly south and leave it at that.

 

[Guest]

I've got an equivalent 5W panel and it appears to be pretty robust, however, you wouldn't want to stand on it. The packaging states that its weatherproof, and it tolerates the occasional spill, but I've not installed it outside. It certainly does the job, and provides 0.35A even in relatively overcast conditions. Thumbs up.