Solar Panel Marine Battery Charger
Riding a boat out on the waves can be a fun way to spend time with family and friends especially during the summer season. During this time you might even have figured out how to have all the comforts of home with you onboard. On the other hand, your enjoyment will sour if the battery of the boat runs out of juice. So, before you head out on the bright blue yonder, it might be a good idea to invest in solar panels and a solar panel marine battery charger to keep them charged out at sea.
A dead battery is an all too common incident on large and small boats. Besides ruining trips, it can also leave you stranded in the middle of the ocean with no one in sight. This dangerous incident can be avoided if you have a solar system onboard. A solar panel marine battery charger can maintain charge whether the boat is on the water or on a trailer or moored on the dock. This will be especially useful if you wish to go out on the sea when it is overcast or it starts to rain during your trip.
Buying and using solar panel marine battery chargers
Solar panel marine battery chargers are used on boats as a failsafe in case the solar battery runs out of charge or drains unnaturally fast. These are made to be weather and water proof so they cannot be damaged when the boat they are on is taken out to sea. The chargers can also be used to charge almost any complimentary electrical gear which may be used on the boat.
Before purchasing a charger for your boat, you first have to evaluate the type of solar charging panel you have along with the type of battery installed on it. In most cases, the charger you choose can work on any electrical device except on gel based cells. In addition, you also need to calculate the wattage on the solar panel marine battery charger and this can be done if you know the Ampere per hour that the solar battery stores.
It will also be a good idea to choose a battery charge maintainer that can monitor how much charge is left in the solar battery on a regular basis. Remember, you may not be close to shore once the battery runs out. Check if the battery maintainer monitors the charge regularly and stop it once the battery or gear is completely charged.
In order to ensure that your solar panels trap as much energy as they can in the solar panel marine battery charger, make sure they are installed perpendicular to the sun’s rays. Since the movement of the boat might make that position a bit difficult, it might be best to mount them horizontally. In addition, make sure that the panels are not shaded with antennas or spars. Even the thinnest shadow can compromise the output you receive with the chargers.
The best place to place the panels for maximum efficiency is on radar arches or on top of the T-top. You can also mount them on the deck but make sure that the panels are completely exposed to the sun and do not experience shade when the sun is at its zenith. The panels should also not lie flush to the ground and should be raised high enough to allow air to circulate beneath. The charger should be placed beneath so that it remains in the shade and so it can be as close to the panels as possible to retain charge.