[Rhodes22-list] Solar Panels

[Slim]

Rummy, Clay, Art, Bud,

Thanks for your help!  I only use the batteries for the lights and the VHF
so maybe I don't need both panels.  The other night we sailed way into the
wee hours and seemed to have plenty juice for the lights.  But if I replace
it, I want it to match the other one--the ones at WM are not the same.

I don't know if one panel charges one bat and the other charges the other
bat.  I don't know if they're in series, parallel or separate.  What am I
looking for here?  How do I check the output of the panel?  Do I look for
voltage?  Amps?  Sorry so dumb.  Should I take a picture and measure the
dimensions and then contact Stan?  I don't know how to measure the current I
use or the current generated by the panels.  I have a meter but I only know
how to use it for checking the continuity (ohms?) of microphone chords.  But
I'm pretty good with a soldering gun--does that help?   8-)

Slim

On 6/12/06 7:59 PM, "Clay" <cjohns at adelphia.net> wrote:

> I had a solar panel on my 1994 go bad the same time I broke my tiller.
> Emailed Stan and he gave me a quote on a new or used tiller and a new or
> used solar panel. I got a new tiller and a used solar panel an exact
> replacement. Turned out the solar panel was not bad, it was the wiring, but
> I use it to charge batteries at home. Works great.
> 
> Clay
> S/V Blue Chip
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <budconnor at earthlink.net>
> To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 8:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Panels
> 
> 
>> 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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>> 
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> 
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