I did a solar thing.....

[Mr Mayor]

Ok, first, some clarification... I don't mind making my boat ghetto, k? It's all about function, form be damned!!

So I spotted a video about adding a small 30W solar panel to help juice up/or at least maintain the battery while fishing and thought, for $100 with some misc wiring, nuts, bolts, n pvc, I'll take a shot.

I admit, I'm not a handy guy, so it took me several hours of sweat to finish it all... but overall, I'm pretty happy with it. It didn't get in my fishin buddies way at all he said.

The link to his site: Steve's EnjoyTimeOutdoors
The link to the video: (which is also in the link above) Da video
and link to Amazon.

So currently (pardon the pun) it did not appear to work.... not sure if it was a crap connection, or if I damaged the panel (the drill bit "just" grazed the inside, so Im not sure if it knocks out 1 'cell', or 1 'row of cells' or worse, ruined the panel... ((Any Solar intelligent people care to comment, I'm ALL EARS and welcome the comments)).

Thanks Gang!

[Mr Mayor]

And the missing pic...

[Capt. Debbie]

What is the voltage of the solar panel output.

Check it with a meter not connected to anything.

Also if the battery is a higher voltage than the panel the batter will SEND power to the solar panel. Usually diodes block that backwards flow.

Also the panel is best facing the sun like PS does on the ones of the telephone poles. On boat since you're moving that may take constant adjusting.

Check the UN connected open circuit voltage and PM me. We can troubleshoot it over the phone.

[Mr Mayor]

Thanks Captain... I need to pop open the trailer to get said voltage.. But I will soon... Thanks for offering the airwaves help too, wow. Love this place!

MM

[Capt. Debbie]

Was looking at your setup to flag for you.

With an aluminum boat ( like my own) you have to make sure there are zincs in the water. O/B with a zinc or drop over the side type sacrificial zinc.


With dissimilar metals you get migration from one metal to the other metal. Electric current accelerates that. Meaning metal gets eaten away while in the water. Fine for the zincs- it's their job. Catastrophic for the boat as its slowly eaten away.

Of course while out of the water is not a problem

[Mr Mayor]

Thanks Captain... haven't gotten out there lately as I'm hunting for a job (laid off after 10 yrs...)

I plan to soon though.... reeeeal interested abut that zinc comment

MM