[Public-List] Charging a battery on a mooring

Amy & David Swanson zira at bellsouth.net
Tue Apr 15 15:39:55 PDT 2014


John & all -

Thanks for the replies.  I was not planning on using this to recharge deeply 
discharged batteries or running anything on an ongoing basis, just topping 
up teh batteries from a few hours of VHF use, and counter-acting 
self-discharge.  30 watts shouldut out a little over an amp in full sun so 
even with cloudy days & low angles at times, that seems like it will be 
enough to accomplish this.  I can't imaging living on board for an extended 
period of time on that little bit of power though.

I too woudl liek to see Glenns mount.  I have some ideas of my own but they 
are not flly developed yet.

David Swanson
Strayaway Child
Alberg 30 #229


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Riley" <jriley at dsbscience.com>
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Charging a battery on a mooring


> Is this just for replacing self-discharge of  flooded batteries, or actual 
> energy use?  If the latter, what's your energy budget aboard?
>
> The answers to those questions will determine how large a panel you need. 
> With a tight enough energy budget, a small panel is more than adequate.
>
> I kept my boat at anchor for 18 months...never touched shore power in that 
> time and only light charging from an outboard occasionally ... maintained 
> batts with only one of those little 5W maintainer panels.
>
> I have a friend that cruised the better part of a year and a half with a 
> 35 W panel, and only plugged into shore power once (if I recall correctly) 
> and he had no engine charging at all.
>
> On the other end of the spectrum, I have some other friends that have a 
> cruising cat with I think 4 135 W panels.
>
> It's all about "needs."  There is no single "right" answer.  What works 
> for us may be completely unacceptable to you.
>
> On 04/14/2014 09:43 PM, Amy & David Swanson wrote:
>> Looks like we may have our boat on a mooring for a while, which is a new 
>> experience for us.  How do you folks who do this keep your batteries 
>> charged?  I was assuming that the alternator will help bulk charge it, 
>> and I am thinking of getting a small solar panel (30 watts or so) with a 
>> good controller, and mounting it in the stern rail so that I can tilt it 
>> down flat when sailing.  Any thoughts, or suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> David Swanson
>> Strayaway Child
>> Alberg 30 #229
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>
> -- 
> John S. Riley
> S/V Gaelic Sea
> 1972 Alberg 30 #521
>
> _______________________________________________
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