Thinking about setting a panel up for my trolling motor batteries- anybody WITH EXPERIENCE using these care to share your thoughts?
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 ButlerLight Lines Guiding
Quote from: rgfixit on Apr 03, 2010, 04:12 PMDon'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 ButlerLight 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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.