MyFishFinder Forum
My Fish Finder Main => General Fishing Discussion => Topic started by: Hollywood on Mar 31, 2010, 06:09 PM
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Thinking about setting a panel up for my trolling motor batteries- anybody WITH EXPERIENCE using these care to share your thoughts?
I usually don't draw them down too badly, a lot of short trips, maybe 5% to 25% depending on the wind & how long we needed them.
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Thinking about setting a panel up for my trolling motor batteries- anybody WITH EXPERIENCE using these care to share your thoughts?
Went through this once here on this site. I can't find it right now though. I think the general idea is that you would not be happy with the size of the solar panel that would be required to keep you battery charged while in use, or in-between uses during a day of fishing.
I think you can figure out what kind of charge rate you need by looking at trolling motor specs and go from there with the solar chargers.
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I have a friend that had one and it didn't work worth a crap, for what it was worth. Sunny all day and didn't put more than an hour worth of charge back into the battery if that.
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Don't bother Tom....you'd have to cover your whole boat to get enough amperage to make a difference.
Bob
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Don't bother Tom....you'd have to cover your whole boat to get enough amperage to make a difference.
I have worked in the battery charger biz for years and That is the way it works. boat size panels are great for maintaining a charge between trips, but are little help during a trip. How large is your out board?
Tight Lines,
Allan Butler
Light Lines Guiding
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Don't bother Tom....you'd have to cover your whole boat to get enough amperage to make a difference.
I have worked in the battery charger biz for years and That is the way it works. boat size panels are great for maintaining a charge between trips, but are little help during a trip. How large is your out board?
Tight Lines,
Allan Butler
Light Lines Guiding
Guess it was just wishful thinking- thought I could hook 1 of these up to each trolling battery to hopefully bring them back up between trips-
Power:
1.5 Amps, 15.5 Volts (23.3 Watts)
Dimensions:
41.3 inches x 13.8 inches x 1.2 inches
I appreciate the input- Now I gotta go with plan B.
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Guess it was just wishful thinking- thought I could hook 1 of these up to each trolling battery to hopefully bring them back up between trips-
Power:
1.5 Amps, 15.5 Volts (23.3 Watts)
Dimensions:
41.3 inches x 13.8 inches x 1.2 inches
I appreciate the input- Now I gotta go with plan B.
They will probably do it if your "trips" are one day/per week.
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With "solar chargers" we go back to the problem of how to properly charge a deep cycle battery. Trickle charging does not allow for proper charging sequence/cycle and won't maximize the battery's potential.
You're much better off throwing a good smart charger on those batteries and having them last 3-4x as long.
Personally, with a boat like yours, Tom, I'd pony up and mount a good charger on board. Just plug her in when you get home and you're done.
RG
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With "solar chargers" we go back to the problem of how to properly charge a deep cycle battery. Trickle charging does not allow for proper charging sequence/cycle and won't maximize the battery's potential.
You're much better off throwing a good smart charger on those batteries and having them last 3-4x as long.
Personally, with a boat like yours, Tom, I'd pony up and mount a good charger on board. Just plug her in when you get home and you're done.
RG
I agree with RG. A good quality "smart charger" can make a longer lasting battery. "Don't forget battery maintenance in the "off-season"; I think that is where most damage is done to batteries.
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Personally, with a boat like yours, Tom, I'd pony up and mount a good charger on board. Just plug her in when you get home and you're done.
RG
RG-
I've got a good charger mounted on-board but the slip I rented doesen't have easy access to power so I was thinking about solar to restore the trolling batteries. I plan on doing a lot of short trips this season so the batteries wouldn't be getting drawn down too far. I'm just going to tie up near power while I clean fish & pack the car, then put her to bed. I can leave it plugged in overnight when it needs it. Or I may just invest in a LONG extension cord (still cheaper than the solar panel) Basically, I'm just lazy. It's a pre-requisite for winding up in sales.
I agree with RG. A good quality "smart charger" can make a longer lasting battery. "Don't forget battery maintenance in the "off-season"; I think that is where most damage is done to batteries.
What's an "off-season?"
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This is why I asked how large is your engine... You can get a good on-board charger and a inverter, with out going into a lot of detail you can get a very good charge when you are running to a spot. You need to check with the motor manufacturer on amp out put first...
Tight Lines,
Allan
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This is why I asked how large is your engine... You can get a good on-board charger and a inverter, with out going into a lot of detail you can get a very good charge when you are running to a spot. You need to check with the motor manufacturer on amp out put first...
Tight Lines,
Allan
Missed that the first time Allan, sorry. It is a 2007 Mercury Optimax 115, I'll check into that, sounds like a good option.
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OK...then pony up and rent a better slip ;D
How much wire do you need? I don't need any oil...but I have access to wire. Get some power out there man!
Bob
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What's an "off-season?"
Well, I don't know where you are from so maybe you don't have an "off-season" (That period of time, those of us that live in snow/ice country, experience for 4 or 5 months of the year; when we can't use our boats). Lead acid batteries should be charged once a month at a minimum.
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Well, I don't know where you are from so maybe you don't have an "off-season" (That period of time, those of us that live in snow/ice country, experience for 4 or 5 months of the year; when we can't use our boats). Lead acid batteries should be charged once a month at a minimum.
FISHFORPIKE-
I see you're from Black Lake, no doubt about an off season there! (I remember a -42 evening spent in Edwardsville a few years back) I live in sunny central ny- I get out on Seneca & Skaneateles in the winter months when possible. I ripped my garage apart & redid it so I could take the boat out all year if I felt like it. I charge the batteries every other week thru winter, Jan & Feb are the only tough boating months but we manage.
RG-
Very kind offer, however I fish with a bunch of electricians- I'll see how the marina works with me on this one. Only thing you can bring is your sorry carcass & a fishing pole!
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;D
Where are you keeping it this year?
Bob