Solar Powered Trickle Charger

[HEMAN]

So i saw this solar powered trickle charger.


http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/prod_lrg_images/612/209708612.jpg

this is the description:

"The Coleman Pro 5 Watt slowly charges larger 12V deep-cycle batteries, protecting them through long storage periods. It is also great for farm equipment, electric gate openers, etc. Larger vehicles such as pick-ups, vans, RVs, or boats have larger battery drains simply because they carry more electronics such as small appliances, bilge pumps etc. Connects in seconds, and keeps your battery fully topped up when your vehicle or boat is not in use. Charger is efficient under low-light and extreme weather conditions.

Features
http://ak.buy.com/buy_assets/v6/july/dot2.gifTrickle charge your RV, boat or light truck 12V battery
http://ak.buy.com/buy_assets/v6/july/dot2.gifProtects your battery through long storage periods
http://ak.buy.com/buy_assets/v6/july/dot2.gifWeatherproof
http://ak.buy.com/buy_assets/v6/july/dot2.gifNo maintenance required
http://ak.buy.com/buy_assets/v6/july/dot2.gifWorks under cloudy conditions
http://ak.buy.com/buy_assets/v6/july/dot2.gifEnvironmentally friendly "

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So my question is... can i use this WHILE i am on the boat? my thought was to use it on the trolling motor battery while the trolling motor was being used as well? is it safe to do so? just wondering as i don't know much about electrical stuff like this...

[yamafish]

Whats up Heman,

This is the way I had the Duroboat set before I sold it to RTR.
This is the set up I use on every boat I own now.

2 deep cycle marine batteries
1 Perko switch (switch settings battery: 1, 2, all and off)

The advantage of this is when you get out on the lake. You can switch to only One battery and run it down. You can use your troll motor, finder, cd player, dvd, nav lights etc....
Then when you are ready to use the main motor you can switch to battery 2 or All.
This will always insure you have a fresh battery to power up when you are racing back to make weigh in at The Vine with your toad on board.

[lizzay]

Is that a type of installation that I can do myself? I have no electrical experience other than installing a car system. I would like to do that with mine too.

[yamafish]

Is that a type of installation that I can do myself? I have no electrical experience other than installing a car system. I would like to do that with mine too.

Yes.. you can do it yourself. I know of a few boat places that can do it as well. It just when a shop does it, the labor $$ go up.
You will need the battery cables and end connectors. I would use 2 deep cycle marine batteries with this set up.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h92/rfish7/perko.jpgAbout $35.99 at Cabelas

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h92/rfish7/bat_switch_dia.gifOne way to hook up the Perko

[dixoncider]

"So my question is... can i use this WHILE i am on the boat? my thought was to use it on the trolling motor battery while the trolling motor was being used as well? is it safe to do so? just wondering as i don't know much about electrical stuff like this."
Yes you could use this while on the boat however it will make almost no difference. 5watts is a trickle charge you will gain very little as far as being able to use your trolling motor longer that same day. That being said if your battery is fulling charged when you start because of the solar panel you will be much better off.
One more thing the perko switch is not my favorite notice you have to go to "all" to get between 1 or 2. not very good if one or the other is dead is it. Try looking at a cole-hersee switch.