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Solar Battery Maintainer

Summary
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I found this solar panel on ebay. Apparently VW uses these in the windshields of their cars as they are shipped around the world so that the battery doesn't go dead during transport. What a great thing for a boat!

There are literally HUNDREDS of these on ebay at any given time. The newer ones (like the one here) are a bit more powerful and have a built-in regulator (the grey box in line with the wire). I think I only paid $16 each for two of them (I like backups).

I just made an unobtrusive barrel jack connection at the helm that goes right to my battery connection (there is a fuse in the panel regulator box also). Put a matching male connector on the panel wire and VOILA! No more dead battery.

I measured about 70-100mA out of it depending on the sun angle. I am not sure how waterproof it is, but I use it on the inside of my window(s).

Lessons Learned

Being green is no so bad.