Solar panel 12v trickle charger

[DaveClark]

Morning everyone

I’m thinking of buying a solar panel trickle charger for my battery on my Shetland 535
And I’m after advice

At the moment when I’m not using my boat the battery is only connected to the bilge pump so obviously not drawing any power.
When I’m out on the boat the radio and led lights are powered
This is all recently installed and so far I have been out 4 times and the battery still has life in it although not sure how much
I’ve brought a battery power indicator but not yet fitted it.

Obviously I know eventually the battery will run out and I would have to take home to charge as boat is in the marina for the summer months
I’ve seen the solar chargers are relatively cheap I only want one with a small panel
Can anyone advise on these based on the usage I’ve mentioned above

Thanks t

[blebrocq]

Does your outboard not have a battery charging output on it ? If not one could probably be retrofitted ( I did that on an old 2 stroke Mercury)
Failing that, yes even a modest solar panel,if positioned to see as much sun as possible, will recharge the battery over a few days.
Bob

[DaveClark]

Thanks Bob

My 9.9hp Yamaha engine has a kettle lead 3 pin coming out of it , not sure what that actually does
I’ve posted about that on here before but never really got anywhere.

Thanks for the reply

[blebrocq]

Send a photo of it. it may be either a DC output, or just raw three phase from an alternator. either way it would be possible to use it.
If you have a multimeter, try measuring what is on the pins when engine is running (try both DC & AC settings & report back !)
Bob

[vreagh]

I have a 15watt panel positioned under a thick perspex window let into the hatch. This feeds into cheap charge controller. Although rated at 15watt I think this would only occur midsummer at mid day, nevertheless, this set up keeps my batteries charged summer and winter.

[DaveClark]

Thanks Chaps for the replies.

It’s only a 9.9hp so definitely no 3 phase power or alternator on the outboard
I’ll send some pics next time I am at the marina

Thanks also for the solar panel info

Any one else any info or links to solar panel chargers that would be great.

[vreagh]

This is the updated version of the controller I use from Ebay

[DaveClark]

Excellent
I’ll look that up

[Clive]

This is the updated version of the controller I use from Ebay

I’ve had one of those for years - more than 10 I’m sure. I use it for the same job you want but on my car I don’t use much. Works great. I added a fuse and a switch so you don’t have power going to it from the panel before it’s connected to the battery. It’s only good for a trickle charge set up, to keep the battery topped up. It’s not
really man enough to charge a drained battery.

For my boat, currently in a field with no power (don’t ask!) I have a 100w Renogy set up. Keeps both starter and leisure battery nicely charged up and not that expensive.

[DaveClark]

Thanks Clive