Need Help with Solar Panel / Battery Connections

[ladypirate]

I own a victoria 18 with a solar panel. I am trying to find any instructional books on the parts that should be with my boat.

I have found pics of original panel and additional fuse block, on another victoria. I only have 2 wires running on each side of the hull, capped off. I have not found a panel or fuse block of any kind. I have no clue what I need to hook up a battery and use the solar panel.

I read the solar panel is used to charge the battery but not sure how.
I would like to connect my lights for the boat. Can anyone help.

Lost

[S/V_Surya]

You need a solar panel charger controller about 20 bucks. Size relay according to panel max output. ebay link. http://cgi.ebay.com/Solar-Panel-Char...item35a6e45579

[ladypirate]

how can i find out what the panel max output is. no information printed on panel.

[S/V_Surya]

Two ways. You can measure it on a sunny day with a volt meter or approximate it based on dimensions of panel. Most large panels are rated at 120 watts so that would be 10 amps. w=v X I. v= volts I = amps w=watts

[cal40john]

I'm guessing on an 18 footer she's likely to have a small enough panel that she doesn't need a charge controller.

Charge Controllers for Solar Electric Systems

What size battery do you have?

John

[S/V_Surya]

Could be, I just bought a small panel about 6 inches by 6 inches to trickel charge my batteries and I am going to hook it up directly. Output is about .2 amps

[ladypirate]

don't have a battery. attempting to figure out what I need installed to hook the battery to. not sure of the type of battery I am going to purchase. Read about a deep cycle size 24 or 27, not sure what I need or which is the best for the best price.

[ladypirate]

my solar panel is at least 10 or more inches

[Bash]

Originally Posted by ladypirate

my solar panel is at least 10 or more inches

...then what you've got is more of a trickle charger than a solar panel. It will keep a full battery charged, but won't really charge a depleted battery.

Good news is it won't need a charge controller.

[forsailbyowner]

I would at least put a diode inline with the power wire. It will keep the panel from drawing from the battery at night. Also you need to have a fuse in the line where it hooks up to the battery.

[bill good]

you will have to work out what your need is to size the battery & it might be a good time to fit LED lights to cut that power need back to the min. A small sealed AGM battery would be a good choice. As others have advised you could get by without a regulator.A inline fuse to the panel & diode if not built into the panel. Man pirate might be handy in setting it all up!!