solar pump battery

solar pump battery

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1. Redundancy:

Safety

On a sailboat especially but any boat for that matter, it is highly recommended that at least one redundant system be in place for safety sake so you will not get stranded when the primary system fails. For longer cruises it is sometimes recommended that you have at least two back-up systems -- three systems total. I recently read about a situations in which a person dropped their cell phone charger overboard and a storm knocked out the VHF antenna. They were still able to communicate with a specially equipped emergency cell phone. Often when one systems fail, it can affect other systems. Not having a working bilge pump could eventually cause your whole boat to sink or take on so much water that other systems fail. However a bucket is a perfectly good example of redundant back up system in case the bilge pump fails. Mounting marine solar panels adds a redundant power source to charge batteries and power critical and non-critical systems.

2. Supplement onboard engine alternator:

Fuel Costs

Rather than running your engines non-stop you can use marine solar panels to power different onboard systems. This also saves on fuel and allows you to travel further for the same fuel cost. Marine solar panels can keep your battery charged even if you are hundreds of miles away from a power source. The panels can pay for themselves over time. Without an inverter you can generate power for 12 volt DC devices such as safety lights, regular lighting, pumps, fans and small appliances such as coffee makers. If you add an inverter, you can power larger 120 volt AC appliances such as radios, satellites, and microwaves.

3. Maintenance charging:

Readiness

Batteries lose charge at the rate of approximately 1% a day just like cars. If you are not regularly driving a car you know how you have to start it every once in a while to keep the battery charged. With a regulator (to prevent overcharging), marine solar panels can keep your batteries continually topped off while it is in the dock just because of the simple fact that your boat is sitting in the sun. Whenever you are ready to go sailing or go for a cruise your battery will be fully charged. There is nothing worse than looking forward to an outing on a beautiful only to get to your boat to find out the battery is dead.

Key differences to consider when using solar panels for marine use:

Essentially, marine solar panels have the same applications that regular solar panels have, but they have the additional benefit of providing a critical axillary unlimited power source in an unforgiving environment where power is otherwise completely limited to only what you can carry. There are not any solar panels that are specifically for marine use, though some are advertised as good for RV and Marine applications. These panels are advertised as such because they are extremely rugged and usually made out of polymers that are resistant to the corrosive salt water environment.

You should ensure that all hardware and wiring is up to marine standards. For example, wiring a boat with common copper wire is a common mistake, to be avoided. Copper wire strands corrode or oxidize quickly. A common byproduct of that oxidation is a green layer of oxidized metal, which will eventually degrade the conductive connection to a terminal, and ultimately fail. It is best practice to use a marine-grade "tinned" wire. This prevents corrosion, while increasing conductivity. Never use single-strand or "solid core" wiring. Vibrations will cause the wire to break inside the insulation, creating all kinds of intermittent electrical problems.

For independent unbiased reviews of which solar panels make great Marine Solar Panels please go to:
http://www.marine-solar-panels.com
Marine Solar Panels Buying Guide

Make Informed Solar Panel Decisions for your Marine Water Craft.

Fair Skies!

Trusty Warns - Battery Backup Sump Pump Industry Leader