T&T: solar cells

[Chuck and Susan]

Steve, I too had considered recommending the echo charger to Larry but Xantrex
recommends the unit not be installed farther than 2 feet from the house bank
AND the battery it is charging or there is a loss in charging ability. I would
wonder if the long run from the house banks to the flybridge where the hoist
battery would be will affect the ability to fully charge the hoist battery.
Yours apparently does work but I would verify the distance before spending the
time and money. If this will work it is indeed a good solution. Correct wire
size for the amps and distance are very important. Chuck

To follow our adventures, go to

http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/

http://sea-trek.blogspot.com/

--- On Sun, 5/3/09, Steve Sipe <scs_maerin at maerin.net> wrote:

 

Larry N. Brown wrote:
> <snip>
> subject. Solar cells. I have a gp-27 12 battery I intend to use for my
2000#
> dink hoist motor and at the moment, I have no method for keeping its charge
> up. I was thinking about installing a batter box for it at the base of the
> hoist and keeping it up to snuff with solar power. Any leads on the most
cost
> effective way to accomplish this?
>   
Larry,
I had the same problem on Maerin, the PO had a pair of golf carts on the boat
deck but no way to charge them except for a portable battery charger. What a
PITA. Since it had to be run from either the gen or shore power. I added a
Xantrex echo-charger to the 12V charging system panel, and it has worked
flawlessly.

I reasoned that since the winch typically does it's biggest AH draw just prior
to weighing anchor, the ideal setup would charge it's batteries from the
engine alternator. I added a run of #6 wire up to the boat deck. The echo
charger limits the current to 15A, so I could size the wire for 15A. It's
fused on each end of the run at the battery, and the echo charger. It connects
to the house battery, and regulates the charge to the boat deck batteries. I
have never had a problem, the winch batteries are always charged fully after a
run, and they are showing good specific gravity and no appreciable water use
(they're not gassing from an overcharge).

YMMV, but that setup has worked quite well in my situation, way better than
dragging out a charger and worrying about forgetting it when it rains, etc.

steve sipe