[Rhodes22-list] Solar Panels

[budconnor at earthlink.net]

Slim,
  do you really need both panels?  You may need both panels if they are hooked
in series, but the power of the two may be overkill.  You may want to figure out 
how much current you typically use, and how much current your panels produce.

I use a small (13"x13") 5 watt removeable panel.  I leave it on top of the poptop when
I am not sailing, and put it down below when I am out on the water.  It trickle charges
my batteries just fine.  I will have it charge one battery one week, then I switch to the
other battery the next week.  I only need the battery for the starting, the radio, and 
an occasional run of the lights.  I mention this only to say that you use the solar panels 
to replace the power that you have used, and you may find that don't use that much;
and that the spent power may be easily replaced by the sun between sailing outings.

-Bud


-----Original Message-----
>From: Slim <salm at mn.rr.com>
>Sent: Jun 12, 2006 5:49 PM
>To: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Panels
>
>I have two solar panels that charge my two batteries.  Somehow (?) one of
>the panels got badly scratched and it appears that it may have interfered
>with the circuitry.  My charge indicator light, which is usually glowing
>green when the boat's in the sun now only glows orange or red indicating
>it's not charging.  So it seems I'll have to replace it.
>
>I looked at the ones at WM and they come in a variety of sizes and output.
>Can anyone please explain this to me as if I were a small child?  I'm new to
>this technology and I want to get the right
>amperage...voltage...ohmage...whatever it is.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Slim  
>
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