Solar for kayak

[Yakly]

Anyone currently using solar of any sorts on their yaks to keep the battery charged? Been thinking and researching different panels ( some small enough) to keep the live well and chartplotter charged for a full day. Any suggestions or comments????

[guamboas]

I use Goal Zero charger for my phone and radio it works really well, it is a 12v charger so if i needed it, it would charge my battery

[danjor]

In my opinion the only time I see solar on a kayak practical is if you were lost at sea. Otherwise due to salt water environment and price of solar it would be better to just use the money and invest in a good LiFePo4 battery system if you are concerned about running out of battery or the weight of carrying a spare SLA battery otherwise the simple solution is to carry a spare SLA in a drybag

[Yakly]

I'm not very electronic/battery savvy so I wasn't sure exactly how many watts/ma etc..... I needed to recharge the battery. I'm new to this but my thoughts is that I wouldn't get a full day out of using the live well and fish finder constantly. If I'm heading in the wrong direction please let me know. All of these battery charging terms have my head spinning and I definitely don't want to fry a new battery.

[Yakly]

I asked OEX about Lipo's... They said a few guys were running those but they didn't have allot of info. i guess the weight of another battery isn't a big deal.

[easyday]

Ive thought about hooking up my tank solely to run on a solar panel from what I foud it would be feasible.

[Yakly]

If you have any ideas please share. I'm interested but don't understand allot about what I need in regards to panel power output.

[beef78]

My suggestion is just get a little bit bigger 12 volt battery with more amp hours. Makes much more since when it comes to having fewer wires/parts and being cheaper. Batteries plus in San Diego is where I got mine. They are reasonable priced and pretty nice. The best way to go would be to buy one of the battery boxes that comes pre-wired and with a battery box from the online store attached to this website.

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/the-238/Battery-Box-Complete-Power/Detail

[lowprofile]

so you want a shopping list? or better yet a solar bait tank ready to go?

the solar kit and pump wired up will run around $300. could go all the way to $700 depending on the equipment.

[Yakly]

My boat has a 12v system running the livewell and fish finder/chartplotter. It's a 12v 10amp battery and I want to (I guess) have solar to ensure the battery stays charged for all day use. I don't want to have to put the live well on a timer and be able to leave the finder on all day as I'm moving from spot to spot. In this case I'm assuming I need some type of trickle charger to keep the already topped off battery at full capacity. I think?????? Or at least keep up with the discharge. Again I'm new to this so if I'm heading down the wrong path and this doesn't make since, I'm all ears.

[Yakly]

I have that same battery box from OEX but how long will that keep the electronic running?

[ful-rac]

Save your money and headaches, just charge your batteries at home.

[ful-rac]

Your battery dies get a bigger battery or bring a spare. Dont screw around with solar, your bringing something complicated into an already complicated situation.

[beef78]

I have a 6 volt 10 amp battery and run a 500 gph bait pump continuously while I am out and I did 3 5-7 hour trips and it was still pumping as if it were fully charged. If you use math and stuff you should figure out that when you use a pump rated for 12 volt on a 6 volt system, it will draw twice the current. Which means a 6 volt 10 amp battery would last half as long as a 12 volt 10 amp battery. The guys at the battery shop agreed with my theory and the practice of taking it out a couple times backed it up, too. So, in other words, you should be good with that battery. If you are really worried about it, get a timer for your bait pump and turn your GPS/fish finder off when you are not using them. I agree with the other guys who posted and think it would be easier to put a backup battery in. This would probably help fight against battery memory and make your batteries have a longer life because you could fully discharge your battery and switch over to the full battery, then fully charge the dead one after the trip. This would ensure that you aren't just charging your batteries halfway up every time you go out.

[alanw]

If you use math and stuff you should figure out that when you use a pump rated for 12 volt on a 6 volt system, it will draw twice the current. Which means a 6 volt 10 amp battery would last half as long as a 12 volt 10 amp battery.

That just doesn't sound right according to Ohm's Law.

V = I * R

Voltage = Current * Resistance


The resistance of the motor is a constant, so the only things that can change is volts and current which means that as voltage goes down so does current.

That means that a 6 volt 10 amp battery should last longer than a 12 volt 10 amp battery.

[beef78]

Eh, maybe it helps if you actually do the math...

[FishNinjaY]

That just doesn't sound right according to Ohm's Law.

V = I * R

Voltage = Current * Resistance


The resistance of the motor is a constant, so the only things that can change is volts and current which means that as voltage goes down so does current.

That means that a 6 volt 10 amp battery should last longer than a 12 volt 10 amp battery.

This was my understanding as well.. Most of the pumps out there are "rated" for 12V, and around 2.5Amp draw, right? So, people have been advising using 6V battery to modestly decrease the water flow, and to prolong run time on the battery.

From your description, you are running BOTH your livewell and fishfinder off a single 12V10A battery? For way less than the cost of a complex solar set-up, you could get TWO 12V12A LiFePO4 batteries, that would weigh less also. I don't have this battery yet, but am considering buying it tomorrow.

http://www.amazon.com/Bioenno-Power-E-Scooters-Wheelchairs-Appliances/dp/B0083BMHPY

BWE member, GregAndrews (& others), here know a lot more about this. I'd look into this route, instead of solar. Good luck.

[jorluivil]

Greg turned me on to the LifePO4 batteries a few months ago, I was a little skeptical at first but I decided to take a chance. I've only had the battery for about two months and so far its but running flawless. I was on the last Islander trip and was able to run my HDS5 from about 6am to almost 8pm, it never skipped a beat. The PO4's aren't cheap but they are super light; the 12v 12ah weighs less than a 6v 12ah. I can't remember the exact cost of my battery but it was right around $170(includes tax/shipping/3year squaretrade warranty). Another thing to keep in mind abou these batteries is that you can charge them something like 1000 times before they start loosing their juice.

[Baja_Traveler]

My kayak is set up to use a 32 Watt flexible solar panel for system charging.
THIS (http://www.oksolar.com/solar_panels/unisolar_flexibles.htm) one in fact. Got it some 10 years ago locally at a solar place that no longer exists, and it has been on every fishing kayak I've ever owned.

The main reason I'm set up for it is Baja trips. Everybody here has been saying to "just Charge every night at home" or "carry a spare" which is all fine and good for 99% of your needs. But in my past I was into expedition style trips, where I'd paddle out and not return to the truck for as long as a week (but the norm was 2-3 days). Space and weight is at a premium on these style trips, so carrying a spare meant leaving something else behind.

Haven't done one of those trips in a long while, one of my favorites was to paddle out of the Old Mill and camp way out on a little sand spit at the mouth of the bay on the point, where halibut WSB and yellowtail were within reach for sunrise hookups...

I still use it from time to time though. When my battery starts getting old it will not keep the finder running a whole day, so to stretch its full potential I plug the panel in and I'm good. Then I can spend the 30 or so bucks to replace it at my leisure.

Maybe I'll do one or two more expeditions before I get too old here, we'll see...

[danjor]

The best place I have found for LiFePo4 batteries is batteryspace, there prices are good and theres a 5% off coupon you can use. They have all the LiFePo4 SLA replacement batteries, all the stuff to build you own pack and anything else you want. I am no way affiliated with this company they are just who I have found to be one of the best priced quality battery suppliers after countless days of research on these batteries.

[Yakly]

Thanks guys for the info.... I think I'll take the advise from you guys and purchase LiFePO's. You guys have been doing this for some time so ill follow your leads.... It was just a thought as I'm into gadgets but understand the limited space.

I'm also one of those crazies (in the eyes of some) that want to do an extended trip up the coast and camp. So if there's anyone interested or if they're trips already planned, I'm in.

[jruiz]

That just doesn't sound right according to Ohm's Law.

V = I * R

Voltage = Current * Resistance


The resistance of the motor is a constant, so the only things that can change is volts and current which means that as voltage goes down so does current.

That means that a 6 volt 10 amp battery should last longer than a 12 volt 10 amp battery.


Motors aren't resistors.

[Old Man in the Sea]

This is the charging system I would recommend to meet all of your charging needs

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/outdoor-grounds-maintenance/renewable-energy/solar-panels/8000-watt-monocrystalline-pv-grid-tied-solar-power-kit?utm_source=google_pr&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Solar-Panels-Kits-google_pr&infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=CMGPv47ek7gCFSFyQgodZgIABA


only downside is that it requires an additional kayak to be towed behind you...:doh:

[alanw]

Motors aren't resistors.

Right, motors are inductive, but the load can be considered resistive

[FishNinjaY]

It was just a thought as I'm into gadgets but understand the limited space.

I'm also one of those crazies (in the eyes of some) that want to do an extended trip up the coast and camp. So if there's anyone interested or if they're trips already planned, I'm in.

I hear that.. we're all gadget heads.

If you want to think outside the box... why don't you get rid of the battery altogether? at least for the livewell.

I know there is a small-ish solar panel that can run an actual small pump that will take water from your swimming pool and pump in UP to to a gravity solar array on your roof for pool heating. The nice thing about that, is it is ALWAYS ON, and only runs when the sun is out. Perfect for people that like to run their pool filters during the night to save on electricity costs. Anyways, I bet that solar panel and pump have to be sufficient to run any kind of livewell bait tank, right? If it puts out enough juice, maybe you can even run your fishfinder also? or at least keep a FF battery topped off.

[Yakly]

I'm still looking at all kinds of options and trying to wait till the new boats come out to see what new goodies will be available. Sometimes it sucks wanting all of the new shiny stuff..... My girlfriend says I have ADD but whatever, it keeps me busy and out of trouble...... So far!!!!

[jorluivil]

"The best solution to our problems may actually be the nearest or the easiest. Sometimes it seems so easy that we doubt its effectiveness"

[PattiNorton]

Anyone currently using solar panels (http://www.shinesolar.net) of any sorts on their yaks to keep the battery charged? Been thinking and researching different panels ( some small enough) to keep the live well and chartplotter charged for a full day. Any suggestions or comments????

Hello friend have you got the solar panels or charger? I am trying to use solar energy for charging battery so please help me with your experience..Waiting for reply thanks in advance:)

[taggermike]

I'm with the get a bigger battery side and make sure you put it on the charger the night before you fish. I have thought of a solar charge set for Baja trips where you don't have access to power but plenty of sun. Bring 2 batteries and alternate them. Mike

[PescadorPete]

Here battery voltage versus current with a Hobie 12v bait tank pump, tank full of water:

12V --> 1.37A
11V --> 1.20A
10V --> 1.06A
9V --> 0.91A
8V --> 0.77A
7V --> 0.64A
6V --> 0.52A
5V --> 0.39A

On six volts, the pumps draws less current (so it uses less power) than at twelve volts. My experience has been a 6 volt battery last much longer that a 12 volt battery powering the pump.

[Fiskadoro]

The traditional problem with solar for a Kayak is the size of the panel you need to put out the power required.

For instance I have a mono-crystalline solar panel for my truck to keep the battery up when I'm not using it. It's about the size of a piece of paper and only weighs a few pounds but it also only puts out 5w or .28amps.

It would charge a battery that's sitting but won't keep up with a fishfinder and bait tank.

A 50w mono-crystalline panel would put out 2.8 amps. That would be enough power to run a Hummingbird combo and a Hobie baittank but it would be roughly 2 ft square and weigh over 20 pounds.

More realistic would be a poly-crystalline 50w panel. Once again that's only 2.8 amps but I've seen some of those that were only like 12 pounds but they were still big something like 20x30 inches.

Pete you got me rethinking this though. I think most of the newer Hummingbird finders only pull half an amp. Having a variable voltage setup where you can step down to a 6v for the bait tank and that would pull less amperage about the same half an amp. 1.5 amps would probably do it.

I have several friends who are into bike touring and they are using combinations of 5w panels to make 20w and 25w systems for charging phones lights GPS etc...

I'll look around and see what I can find.

Jim

[PescadorPete]

Jim, it will be interesting to see what you come up with. Maybe a 12V panel to feed the ff directly and also feed the 12V to a PWM to power the pump. I built a PWM for my 1st bait tank setup and the 12V battery lasts almost as long as running the pump on a 6V battery. I didn't measure how low the 12V battery can go before the PWM quits. pete

[old_rookie]

Here battery voltage versus current with a Hobie 12v bait tank pump, tank full of water:

12V --> 1.37A
11V --> 1.20A
10V --> 1.06A
9V --> 0.91A
8V --> 0.77A
7V --> 0.64A
6V --> 0.52A
5V --> 0.39A

On six volts, the pumps draws less current (so it uses less power) than at twelve volts. My experience has been a 6 volt battery last much longer that a 12 volt battery powering the pump.

I bet the motor/pump moves less water too. If the amount of water circulated is adequate, then it sounds like a good solution. But this idea doesn't work for other electronics such as FF or whatever that needs to run on 12V. Usually they have internal voltage converters to bring it down to 5VDC for the internal electronics run - but there could be other devices that still need 12VDC - like the display or sonar. So it is best to run those at the rated voltage.

[steveooo]

Solar on the kayak definitely wouldn't be my cup of tea, but the technology is available...

Hobie has a foldable 23W Solar panel for the eVolve that kicks out enough juice to run the motor and push the kayak at about 2 knots indefinitely in sunny conditions. It weighs only 1.4 lbs and is designed to withstand getting wet with saltwater. With a few mods, I bet that could run a fishfinder or 2.

On our Santa Cruz camping trip, I was able to run my Garmin for 3 days off the same 12V 12aH LiFePO3 battery the entire trip without needing a charge. For an extended trip I think my preference would be to just bring a 2nd battery and KISS. :cheers1:

[FISH11]

I just added a small solar panel 1.5 watts that Harbor Freight sell. They have it now on line, on sale for $15.99. It is not a permanent mount as I can put it on the back of the crate and it's the same width as the crate. That way it is very compact and it's just to supplement and help the battery last longer. I run my fish finder and my livewell both off the 12v 10ah battery. I have a timer on the livewell line and it's set for 12 seconds on and 20 seconds off. It will run for 10 hours and only drop battery voltage from 13 volts at the start to 11.8 volts at the end of 10 hours. I don't use the panel regularly but got it, for if I go away to a place without electricity for several days. Then I can help reduce the voltage drop or to charge the battery on the second day while using a back up battery. It doesn't weigh hardly anything and it sure was cheap. They have some with more power but are much larger. I use die electric grease on all the connectors and keep it inside the hatch until I need it so as not to expose it all to the surf at La Jolla. It only took a short bungee cord on each end to secure the 2 ends. It also came with suction cups to secure to inside a windshield and with 2 connectors a cigaret adaptor and 1 with clamps for straight to a battery. Hope that helps anyone. Mark