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Old 03-17-2015, 08:34 PM   #1
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Default Portable solar panel battery maintainer - suggestions?

Anyone out there use one of these: Amazon.com: Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer: Automotive or something better/similar?... I have a Maxum 2300SC with 2 12v Deka Marine Master DC27 batteries... although I have shore power available on my dock, I don't like the idea of lugging a mains charger to and from the boat (and the potential resulting electrolysis), so figured a solar maintainer might be the way to go to keep battery 1 topped up and feeding the automatic bilge pump?
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Old 05-20-2016, 03:08 PM   #2
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This is interesting, has anyone used anything like this? Does it keep the battery charged when just hanging out with radio on and no external power supply?
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Old 05-20-2016, 03:19 PM   #3
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I went ahead and bought the model referred to in my original post... it works surprisingly well... I have it connected via croc clips directly to the battery terminal, but it also comes with a cigarette lighter option... not sure how (or how well?) that works, but the direct-to-battery option works pretty well
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Old 05-20-2016, 04:23 PM   #4
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The current I in amps (A) is equal to the power P in watts (W), divided by the voltage V in volts (V): I(A) = P(W) / V(V)

So amps are equal to watts divided by volts [amp = watt / volt]

2.4/12 = 0.2 amps

10 hrs of direct sunlight would return 2 aH to the system.

This would be a solar trickle charger to offset the discharge rate of batteries sitting for extended period of time we no amp draw.
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Old 05-21-2016, 04:18 AM   #5
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The .2 amps that shrew calculated is best current in a sunny day. A radio will use more than that so the solar panel will help but the battery is still discharged.
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Old 05-21-2016, 04:09 PM   #6
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Why not install a marine grade charge on the boat since you have shore power available. I had the same boat with the 7.4L and the charger fit nicely in the engine compartment.
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