[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Solar Panel Question

Posted: 6/27/2014 8:08:51 AM EDT

I just bought one of those briefcase solar panel chargers (13 watt) from Harbor Freight. I want to hook it up to my trolling motor on my boat. Can I just hook it up directly to the battery with the clamps provided, or do I have to have a solar panel charge controller? New to solar panels & not sure what the charge controller thing is for. I'm thinking it's just to prevent overcharging right? So, if I was there physically monitoring it, I wouldn't need one, correct?

Here is what i bought:

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-watt-briefcase-solar-charger-68750.html

Posted: 6/27/2014 8:18:12 AM EDT

[#1]

13 watts into a trolling motor battery is in NO danger of overcharge.
check the electrolyte level, and add water after a few hundred hours of charging in DIRECT sunlight.
.
A charge controller is a waste of electrons in such an application, tiny solar panel on big battery.

Posted: 6/27/2014 8:21:02 AM EDT

[#2]

It outputs 12 volts so you can just connect that panel straight to the battery using the provided clamps. The bigger panels put out a higher voltage that you would step down to 12 volts.

Posted: 6/27/2014 8:22:46 AM EDT

[#3]

How much draw does the trolling motor have?
13W isn't much output.

Posted: 6/27/2014 8:25:40 AM EDT

[#4]

get a cheap controller off amazon, I use one (little larger panel) to keep my trolling battery topped off on my jon boat. Plenty of sun in FL to keep it charged

Posted: 6/27/2014 8:30:50 AM EDT

[#5]

Thx for the feedback. Not lookiing to recharge fully dead battery, just keeping it topped off.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Solar Panel Question

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Solar Panel Question

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Solar Panel Question