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

Solar charging through cigarette lighter?

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



Joined: 22 Oct 2011
Posts: 2
City/Region: Albany
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Ozma
PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 9:29 pm    Post subject: Solar charging through cigarette lighter? Reply with quote

I purchased a portable 50 watt solar panel to charge the batteries while anchored. Instead of using the supplied clamps to connect to the batteries, I would like to plug into the 12v lighter on the panel. Has anyone done this with success?

Dan Wilcox on board the 22' CD cruiser Ozma

_________________
Dan Wilcox, OZMA
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address
BrentB



Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 4419
City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I dont use them and consider it unsafe and could cause damage so bought a solar charger
_________________
Brent Barrett
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jkidd



Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 1609
City/Region: Northern, Utah
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 10:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It would be better closer to the battery's to minimize the voltage drop. 50 watts isn't all that much you will want it pointed directly at the sun not flat on the roof.
_________________
Jody Kidd
KE7WNG
Northern, Utah

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Marco Flamingo



Joined: 09 Jul 2015
Posts: 1154
City/Region: Seattle
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 16 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Limpet
Photos: Limpet
PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, I've charged through the cigarette lighter. Not on my boat, but I have a Polaris Ranger that has a 2W solar panel because I often make short rides around my property and the battery doesn't get fully charged. It's just a trickle charger.

For a 50W panel, I'd wire direct to the battery through a solar charge controller. A $12 solar charge controller can make the charging so much more efficient that it doesn't make much sense to go just through a lighter socket except as a temporary solution.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NAVVI8E/ref=asc_df_B00NAVVI8E5032079/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B00NAVVI8E&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167157220945&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3430728877407254944&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033322&hvtargid=pla-314689475003

Mark
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address
Ozma



Joined: 22 Oct 2011
Posts: 2
City/Region: Albany
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Ozma
PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 6:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you all for your input. The panel does have a charge controller and it does make sense to go directly to the battery to minimize voltage drop.

Dan
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address
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: 0.0326s (PHP: 58% - SQL: 42%) - SQL queries: 23 - GZIP disabled - Debug on