The C-Brats Forum Index
HomeForumsMy TopicsCalendarEvent SignupsMemberlistOur C-DorysThe Brat MapPhotos

Solar charger for winter storage

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Electrical and Wiring
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Doryman



Joined: 03 Oct 2006
Posts: 3807
City/Region: Anacortes
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Lori Ann
Photos: Lori Ann
PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 3:15 pm    Post subject: Solar charger for winter storage Reply with quote

For part of the year I have my Tom Cat in a storage lot that does not have electric power available. When in storage I run a couple of dehumidifiers (60W light bulb & fan) plus I need to keep the battery topped off. I'd like to get something like the Coleman unit discussed in this thread http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=19787 but i want a complete set-and-forget solution that includes any necessary controllers, etc. Any specific recommendations (manufacturer & product, where to buy) would be appreciated.

Warren

_________________
Doryman
M/V Lori Ann
TomCat 255, Hull #55, 150 Yamahas
Anacortes, WA
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address
journey on



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 3593
City/Region: Valley Centre
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: journey on
Photos: Journey On
PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do a search on the internet. When I was looking for a charger for the Ford truck, I ordered on from a Chinese importer in Hacienda Heights off e-bay that consisted of the panel (25 watts) and a charge controller (13.6 VDC.) Has worked well.

I don't order directly from China, because when I did that, my credit card was stolen according to the credit union, and had to be replaced.

Boris
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 9:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Warren, if you have 110 volt power, why go with a solar charger? There are a number of both good battery chargers, which will maintain a battery, or maintenance chargers. If you don't have 110 volts, and need to use a solar charger, to power the fan, and the 60 watt bulb, then you are dealing with something entirely different--and will need a controller, plus a larger panel.

I have used the very small solar chargers for as much as a year on both my van and the C Dory to keep the batteries topped of, and were fine. Sunforce has been around a long time, and that is the one I used. For the PNW, you have low sunlight, year around, so at least a 7 watt unit would work.

_________________
Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
BrentB



Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 4419
City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 9:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sunforce and Coleman have solutions

Check their web pages

_________________
Brent Barrett
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Electrical and Wiring All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
     Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum



Page generation time: 0.0372s (PHP: 58% - SQL: 42%) - SQL queries: 22 - GZIP disabled - Debug on