[JimRockfish]

I've read posts where guys are asking whether to take their batteries out of the boat during the Winter. I've done that for decades and it's a real PITA with my Seaswirl because the batteries are in tight. Then tonight I was looking through the Northern Tools catalogue and saw the solar chargers. My wife's aunt had a car more than 15 yrs ago that she didn't drive often and had a small solar charger on the dash as a trickle charger, about 5 watts. The battery was always fully charged, no matter how long it sat. Duh. This would be good all year long. I never thought of using a solar charger. Does anyone else use these? Jim

solar panels from Northern Tool + Equipment

...and this is interesting Boatsense Remote Vessel Monitoring System

 

[David]

I used a Sunsei 18 watt model to keep 3 batteries charged for the past 2 years w/great results and no dead batteries even through the Winter w/o any AC.Make sure you use a charge controller.Good luck.BTW some units are NOT weatherproof.I mounted mine on the dash under 1/4" Lexan.
ICP Solar-Sunsei: Solar charger: SE-1500 22.5W
Battery Maintainers

 

[goinsfishin]

I've been thinking along the same line, but for year-round use. Still exploring options, looking for an exterior mount on the cabin top with hard wiring and a smart maintainer that will handle both batteries on an as need basis. Some cool stuff here Solar Battery Charger - ICP Sunsei SE-500: 21st Century Goods .
Anyone have any input or experience with such a system?

 

[paxfish]

No reason to take them out. Just make sure they are off.

 

[Bob H.]

I just use the $5 float chargers from Harbor Freight. Solar to me isn't economical since a fully charged battery put away for the winter can survive without damage, but just won't have enough power for the first start up.

 

[goinsfishin]

It's not just about winter storage, I need to maintain a good charge year-round.
My community pier doesn't have electricity, so it's run a couple hundred feet of extension cord whenever needed to a battery charger, or look at other alternatives.
Solar seems to be the best alternative and is becoming a mature technology.
I'm also looking at alternative energy systems (heating, cooling and electric) for the house, but think I'll experiment with the boat before I get into serious $$'s.

 

[JimRockfish]

Right, that's what I'm thinking. Nice to keep a charge on during the season as well so she's always reeady to roll.

 

[Rock My World]

I use a flexible charger from Powerfilm. I use it to keep my boat batteries fully charged year-round. It is fully weatherproof. I secure it with bungees to the top of my cooler. Has worked perfectly in the few years I've had it.

PowerFilm Solar

 

[mudman]

I take a slightly different approach. I like to leave the batteries in because such a pain to remove. I made up a wiring harness (about 1 hour and $10) that goes from the batteries down to the dock (boat on a lift during the winter). Then, once a month, it is very easy to hook up the charger to each battery and give them a 1 hour shot of juice. Been doing for 5 years, never had a problem

 

[Scorpion61]

These things are also great for outboards without alternators like I had on a pontoon boat back in Ohio before I moved here. Isolated lake with no power at the dock but I always had 12 volts for lights, fishfinder, etc when I needed it.

 

[JimRockfish]

I was buying materials from Jamestown Distributors and just got an email that they started carrying these for boaters... completely waterproof... great for camping as well. I'm interested because I wil be living outdoors for periods of time starting next year. Second link has prices from Jamestown.

Power Film Rollable Solar Powered Battery Charger

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