Solar charger for trolling motor on canoe

[SCCO9803]

I'm planning a trip to the Little Fork River for five days in Aug. We have one canoe outfitted with a 2 1/2 horse gas motor and another with a electric trolling motor. I'm wondering how well/ beneficial it will be to purchase a solar charger adpater for the battery? Do they work well, how long does a regular deep cycle battery last in hrs under moderate ussage?

[minnesota mac]

think about this. When you charge up you bat at home, it is a 10 amp charger. That takes all night, puts back 10amps per hour. If you have a soler charger and it is 1 amp per hour, when the sun is out it would take all week.

[Chris Haley]

The nice thing about solars, is that you can mount them on your conoe and they charge all day no matter what you're doing.

[chunkytrout]

However if your talkin one battery, your burning amps faster than you're replacing them.

chunk

[92python]

River ridge custom canoes sell one that mounts on canoes. It puts out .5 amps per hour for $130.

I guess it depends how much you are using your trolling motor and the condition of your battery.

I can think of a few reasons to have a solar trickle charger.

[Chris Haley]

Solar chargers do work. The down side is that in order to get one that is capable of doing any good for you, you need to spend some coin. The cheap ones are only rated for a 1/4 amp per hour I think.

[Surface Tension]

I wouldn't rely on a solar charger to charge a battery while I'm on a trip.
Charging at .5 amps it would take 230 hours of good sunlight to charge a 115 amp hr battery.

[Chris Haley]

It's still better than nothing. I don't know if there are any current bushes to plug his charger into up there, therefore a solar is putting something back giving him a couple more hours during his trip.

[SCCO9803]

I'm not sure this post is understood. I'm not using this as my primary source of transport. We do have a gas motor as well, I'm just wondering if a solar charger is beneficial or not, and how well they work. I completely understand that they are by no means a "recharger." I basically just want to know if they're worth the $130.

[Surface Tension]

I understood your question.
How many hours of direct sunlight do you anticipate you'll get during your trip?
I'd guess 30 hours which would give you 15 amps.
So say it increased your trolling time by 10 percent.
If thats worth it to you then go for it.
Just remember you'll have one more item to take care of.
Something that'll increase your battery life a whole lot more is a trolling motor with a maximizer. What motor do you have?

[SCCO9803]

Surface tension, maxx rpm thanks for your help. I'm going to spend the $130 somewhere more useful, or just save it! Thanks again to all that posted

[maxx rpm]

I would have to say no to purchasing a solar charger. With transport being covered-paddle or tow with gas engine canoe. I would say that with a newer electric motor, maybe get another deep cell battery, would last five days of intermittent use. Thats just what I would do. I too have marveled at the allure of magical sun recharge-full charge all the time. The math just doesnt work though, not enough amps. Good luck!