Photocell panels for charging batteries

[mjohnh]

Has anyone any experience, or a good source of information, on the use of photocell panels for a power source/battery charging purpose? My 28 TE does not have a genset and my hope is that this would be a reasonable solution for charging while at anchor (on a sunny day, of course !!!). Thank you.

[Jay Knoll]

This should get you started

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/solar_panel

We put 4 55 watt panels (with a regulator) on the top of our 27FC and haven't been plugged into shore power for almost 12 months now. The panels charge a pair of 4D batteries which are paralleled together to form the house bank, we have an isolated starting battery. We coupled that installation with a 2000 watt inverter for occasional AC needs, but generally we are a pretty low draw boat. No refrigeration, just ice in the box.

Jay

[Tree]

Like Jay, my precious boat didn't have refrigeration. That boat never had the batteries charged once in the 14 years of ownership. No solar panels, nothing! The only need for power on the boat was engine and electronics and really a boat with average use shouldn't need batteries charging. I only have the battery charger running on the Albin as the refrigerator is left on all year.

[mjohnh]

Thank you Jay and Tree....

[Tree]

I did mean to say "previous" not precious.

Damn iPhone autocorrect!