Battery Charging - Split Load ???

I'm trying to find the best way of charging the battery in my boat, as the boat can lie for weeks during the summer without turning over and months during the winter is there a way to keep the battery charged, there is nothing worse than putting the boat in the water and the engine doesn't even turn over. I've got it attached to a solar trickle charger at present but wonder if that was a waste of money or not.
Would prefer to charge the battery from the car a Discovery TD5

The last straw was last week when I had it on charge overnight tried to start it in the water the following day and nothing. Boat shop charged me £75 for a new battery that would have cost aroung £35 anywhere else.
My original battery was only two seasons old.
Any help appreciated

Check the solar charger is working - they is supposed to be good. Either that or just remove it and bring it back charged - that will be the same as fitting the Disco battery every time. I suppose you could fit a connector block and run a lead from the Disco to it, to "jump" it, but that could have problems, unless you are moored against the bank and easily accessable to the Disco.

Also watch out for sparks - I dont fink fire and boats goes well together?

I have a small 1.5w solar charger on my 110 after getting fed up with having to jump start it when I went to use it as it regularly sits for 2-3 weeks at a time. I have not had a flat battery since. How are you connecting yours to the battery and do you have a blocking diode fitted to prevent the charge being removed when it gets dark?

The solar panel claims to be 2.4w 12v with the blocking diode, got it from Maplin, went there coz thought it would be alright. I have just connected the crocodile clips straight to the battery.
Is the placing of the panel critical - I placed it on the dash of the boat almost horizontal and it gets the sun most of the day as the boat is parked south facing

cant yu get speshul boat wones wot fix to the cabin roof - and strong enuf to walk on?

biggeeeee said:

The solar panel claims to be 2.4w 12v with the blocking diode, got it from Maplin, went there coz thought it would be alright. I have just connected the crocodile clips straight to the battery.
Is the placing of the panel critical - I placed it on the dash of the boat almost horizontal and it gets the sun most of the day as the boat is parked south facing

Click to expand...

The panel doesn't have to be in direct sunlight but obviously the brighter the light the better it will work. You can check it is charging by putting a multimeter on the leads with it disconnected from the battery. If you then connect it up to the battery and cover it over you can connect your multimeter to the battery to make sure the diode is working and it is not discharging it at night.

The Mad Hat Man said:

cant yu get speshul boat wones wot fix to the cabin roof - and strong enuf to walk on?

Click to expand...

yep. They are expensive though.

Thanks for that i'll check as soon as the rain stops

Tried a meter over the panel today in bright sunlight and got a zero reading, took it back and was given an exchange the meter now reads 22V and after a few hours the battery reads 12.2V with no loading. hopefully this should keep it charged nicely.
Thanks for your help

ratty said:

The panel doesn't have to be in direct sunlight but obviously the brighter the light the better it will work. You can check it is charging by putting a multimeter on the leads with it disconnected from the battery. If you then connect it up to the battery and cover it over you can connect your multimeter to the battery to make sure the diode is working and it is not discharging it at night.

Click to expand...

have you thought about a windmill, i've seen many a canal boat with them on?

I got one fo those large maplins solar panels in the rear sunroof of my 300 disco, seems to keep the battery topped up... just the right size and holds in with the blind.

I think wind power would be better isnt sun shine in short supply UK

Ray