NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: Lights etc.
From: Peter Fogg
Date: 2003 Oct 11, 16:11 +1000
From: Peter Fogg
Date: 2003 Oct 11, 16:11 +1000
----- Original Message ----- From: "Trevor J. Kenchington" > > Well, my own boat ...doesn't carry > batteries, mostly because I have no way to keep them charged when she is > on her mooring, .... I once had the same problem, and fitted a small solar panel that gave 5 watts at best (sun shining directly on it). With a healthy fully charged battery its trickle charge was all that was needed to stay 'topped up' and that was the end of the flat battery syndrome. I only needed electrical power for the radio and the nav. and cabin lights. Having such a small output it was wired directly, no need for any more complication (it had a built-in one way switch so didn't drain power overnight). It was flexible, like a small mat, and easily moved to different positions. As you are in a rather high latitude you could need a more powerful model. I also added an anti-sulphation chemical to the electrolyte, as prolonged trickle charging can lead to sulphur coating the battery plates and reducing their life.
