Solar battery charger

BarryTurano · 05-29-2009, 07:40 PM

Just bought a solar charger to try to keep the batteries topped off. I know it will not actually charge them. I am hoping to just keep the natural discharge to a minimum. Sometimes I don't get to her for a few weeks.
Anyway the company tells me to leave the battery switch on BOTH and connect the positive to one battery and the negative to the other battery.
Does this seem correct? Also can't I just shut the selector switch? The charger is NOT wired to the switch. But will be direct to the batteries. I also bought a overload controller to prevent me frying the system. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Barry

jazzrockskier · 05-29-2009, 07:55 PM

Do you have a shore power battery charger as well? I would go with the solar Cell manufactures recommendations. My Girl Friend is living aboad a sailboat and the solar panel is keeping her battery charged up just fine.

jweb · 06-30-2009, 05:25 PM

you should be able to connect directly to the batteries. I installed a small solar charger for excactly the same reason over a year ago. The boat gets very little use and the battery has been solid whenever we needed to start up

BarryTurano · 06-30-2009, 05:47 PM

I bought it and hooked it up to the batteries the manufacturer told me to the positive onto one battery and the negative on the other. According to my battery meter #1 is fully charged and #2 is about 85% full. So I guess it's working.

Banshee · 07-05-2009, 05:04 PM

What kind did you buy? I am Thinking of intalling one for winter lay up.
Thanks,
JW

BarryTurano · 07-05-2009, 05:57 PM

Bought this one working out real well

The SE 500 Solar Powered Battery Charger is great for maintaining boat batteries in storage, extending trolling time for fishers, running your fish finder, GPS system and more!

If you love the freedom of going wherever, whenever, then you'll love solar power. Our Sunsei Solar Powered Battery Charger SE 500 can be a real life saver when you need to charge your portable electronics in the middle of nowhere as well! Whether you're boating, camping, hiking, exploring or simply having some fun with your portable electronics, the small Sunsei 12 Volt Solar Charger SE 500 will ensure that you never run out of power again. Peace of mind, direct from the sun with the Sunsei SE-500 Solar 12 Volt Battery Charger.

Please Note: This item is the new model of the SE-400. The SE-400 12 Volt Solar Charger has been discontunued and the SE-500 12 Volt Solar Charger is the new replacement model.

Have questions about whether this panel is good for your application?
Call us at 1-877-LIVE-ETP / 1-877-548-3387, we're here to help!

Very helpful people unit works well.

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05-29-2009, 07:55 PM	#2
jazzrockskier Salon puppy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 111 Credits: 1,698.9 Boat: "Seapup" AB Rib with Tohatsu 30 hp Home Port: Trailer Best Catch: Dorado in the Sea of Cortez Occupation: Fishing & working on the boat	Do you have a shore power battery charger as well? I would go with the solar Cell manufactures recommendations. My Girl Friend is living aboad a sailboat and the solar panel is keeping her battery charged up just fine.

06-30-2009, 05:25 PM	#3
jweb Gunnel hugger Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 13 Credits: 290.5 Boat: DECOMPRESSION	you should be able to connect directly to the batteries. I installed a small solar charger for excactly the same reason over a year ago. The boat gets very little use and the battery has been solid whenever we needed to start up

06-30-2009, 05:47 PM	#4
BarryTurano Bite me Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island New York/Wilmington North Carolina Posts: 232 Credits: 878.9 Boat: Edgewater 247 cc Home Port: Wilmington NC Best Catch: My wife Mary Ann 10/10/71 Occupation: Printing production manager	I bought it and hooked it up to the batteries the manufacturer told me to the positive onto one battery and the negative on the other. According to my battery meter #1 is fully charged and #2 is about 85% full. So I guess it's working.

07-05-2009, 05:57 PM	#6
BarryTurano Bite me Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island New York/Wilmington North Carolina Posts: 232 Credits: 878.9 Boat: Edgewater 247 cc Home Port: Wilmington NC Best Catch: My wife Mary Ann 10/10/71 Occupation: Printing production manager	Bought this one working out real well The SE 500 Solar Powered Battery Charger is great for maintaining boat batteries in storage, extending trolling time for fishers, running your fish finder, GPS system and more! If you love the freedom of going wherever, whenever, then you'll love solar power. Our Sunsei Solar Powered Battery Charger SE 500 can be a real life saver when you need to charge your portable electronics in the middle of nowhere as well! Whether you're boating, camping, hiking, exploring or simply having some fun with your portable electronics, the small Sunsei 12 Volt Solar Charger SE 500 will ensure that you never run out of power again. Peace of mind, direct from the sun with the Sunsei SE-500 Solar 12 Volt Battery Charger. Please Note: This item is the new model of the SE-400. The SE-400 12 Volt Solar Charger has been discontunued and the SE-500 12 Volt Solar Charger is the new replacement model. Have questions about whether this panel is good for your application? Call us at 1-877-LIVE-ETP / 1-877-548-3387, we're here to help! Very helpful people unit works well.