Adding a solar trickle charger to your car rv or boat.
Cost of installing solar panels on a sailboat.
Plus its an eco friendly way to keep your batteries topped off.
Ok let s get.
We had 325 panasonic solar panels a 316 stainless steel frame made to weld over our davits and a midnight solar classic charge controller installed over the course of a few days watch the video to see the installation.
A common question among boaters contemplating solar panel installation is how much solar power do i need for my boat.
A solar power installation on a sailboat is made up of two independent systems.
6 out of 10 adding two panels to a dodger or radar arch.
But we had a propane refrigerator which we just changed to a 12v model.
Where you place your solar panels is very boat and sailor dependent.
This is an important question to ponder before planning your solar installation.
230 is a small price to pay for mounting solar panels on a sailboat.
At the time it was more than adequate for our needs even with a watermaker we were fully topped up by 11 am or noon most days.
2 out of 10 adding a permanent panel to the stern railing.
Ideally the installation will also be adjustable allowing you to turn the panels toward the sun periodically throughout the day which can increase power generation by up to 40 percent.
In the charging system the solar panels convert sunlight into electrical current and deliver it to the batteries via a solar charge controller.
First you need to decide how much power you need then you can easily decide how many solar panels you will need to install.
Solar panels should be installed where they won t interfere with the boat s operation.
It sure beats getting towed back to port.
We put a 345 watt high voltage solar panel with a kid by midnite solar mppt controller on the boat last spring.
Ideally your solar panels can be installed in an area with uninterrupted sunshine.
Alright that s about all you need to get set up.
In charleston south carolina we were quoted just over 10 000 for the job.
4 out of 10 adding an electrical system monitor to your boat.
Solar panels on the bimini rack are an easy solution.
However there can be obstacles to installing solar on a boat perhaps the largest of which is available space.
One system to charge the batteries and another system to provide 120 volt ac power for household appliances.
1 out of 10 adding a flexible panel to charge while underway.
8 out of 10.
Price wise you should be just around 230 and you haven t skimped on quality products.
How much space do you have on deck.
If you need 200w a day then you could have three 90w solar panels on different parts of the boat and be covered power wise even on different tacks.
Take us for example.