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SOLAR PANELS FOR BATTERIES CHARGING

E

EastBay

Well-known member
Hello,
Would like to keep my two 12 volt batteries charged up in my air boat. Would like to do a permament istallation to charge two batteries connected to the typical Pecko battery swithch. I think I would use two solar panels. Just not sure how it should be set up...need a solar controller? Also, I yes I would want to disconnect the solar panels by an installed switching device when running motor.
Suggestions and comments.
Thought I would mount solar panels to my full cage on top.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Thank you.
Eastpoint
 
The first thing to keep in mind while you are doing this, is that the main attraction to using that Pecko ( :) , I like that) Switch is to keep the batteries isolated from any potential voltage drain while not in use. The first thing on top of that list of potential drains, is the other battery. If they are in any way connected (either directly or otherwise) a bad battery will suck the juice out of the good one and completely defeat Pecko's purpose.

Forgive me, if I am re-stating what to you is obvious.
Can't exactly tell by your wording if this was your meaning by using 'two solar panels' and/or possibly a 'controller' or not. If said controller, would perpetually keep them isolated from one another, properly done, this would be a non-issue. If however, said controller was not designed with such functionality, that would be a major flaw in the plan. If it was intrinsically designed to perform such isolation, I'm not sure why you would need or want two panels, as this would only create more potential fail points, imo.
If your meaning was two independent panels/systems, one for each battery; then it well may be a non-issue as well, if properly done.

What you do NOT want to do is use a single "disconnect switch" for two independent panels/systems, because once you flip that lone switch ON, your desired isolation is non-existent and a potentially bad battery would become the 'sucker' you are wanting to prevent.
 
Hello,
Thank you all for comments....I so appreciate the ones like me who monitor this website! Have some trouble shooting experience with LSA motors so let me know if you run the same and are struggling like I do once in a while!
Regarding solar panels, I was thinking of have one panel for each of the two 12 volt batterries...run independently of the Pecko switch using a solar controller panel. Currently have flooded maintenance free batteries...since I do not use boat a lot....they seem to discharge where then motor struggles to start. Even if I upgrade to AGM batteries, would like a solar system to keep them topped off , even when fishing and using my separate trolling motor and its own two batteries.
Any help always appreciated!
EastBay

Thanks everyone who helps others out thru this forum!
 
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