Solar Battery Charger for smaller boat?

[Arthurc]

Hi,
One of my projects is to retrofit a 20ft whaler we use for jumping around the islands. I’m putting a T Top on it and thinking that solar would be a good way to go in terms of keeping the batteries topped up. There is little draw other than occasional bilge pump runs due to rain. Would either need a split system or two as each motor has a 1000cca 12v battery.

Have any of you used a solar system to maintain your skiff battery? It looks like battery tender makes one and there are some no name options on Amazon but thought I would check in with this group.

Thanks
AC

 

[DavidM]

I assume the two batteries are isolated. If so, the simplest system would be two 50 watt flexible panels mounted on your new top wired separately to two inexpensive PWM controllers and then separately to each battery.

Here is a panel that would work: https://www.amazon.com/SunPower®-Fl...84240&sprefix=50+watt+flexible,aps,465&sr=8-4

And a Renogy controller: https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Wande...ler&qid=1644184374&sprefix=pwm,aps,339&sr=8-3

This is similar to a system I used on the boat on the left, but with a single engine, panel and controller.

David

 

[Arthurc]

Thanks! I ordered that panel and a voyager 10a controller. Will test it out over the next few weeks and then get a second set.