Hey PeterO - On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:53:57 +1000, "rebyl_kayak" <rebyl_kayak_at_energysustained.com> said: > I'm seriously looking at installing solar on my kayak > for maintaining battery charge on all the gear I intend to buy in the > next few months for some of my longer trips. It seems as if GPS has > become simple enough that my less than perfect eyesight can use it on > a kayak. And NiMH rechargeable batteries are now sufficiently long > lived that its worth using them in some of my equipment. Selecting > equipment that uses AA cells seems to be a logical first step, > although I do have a concern that some VHF and GPS models won't work > properly with the reduced volatge of NiMH rechargeable AA batteries. > Has anyone fitted out their kayaks with solar cells and used them to > recharge a variety of equipment? I'm just starting to design a > system.and considering whether to use a foldup solar charger or panels > built in to the deck of the kayak. A few years ago I tried the NiMH AA rechargeables for GPS/lights enroute kayak trips. At the time, the batteries would last only about 1/3 the time of a normal alkaline AA, which meant changing them out at lunch stop for they would not last the day in the GPS (Garmin Map76). The other frustrating thing was the rapid self-discharge rate, meaning a fully charged battery was NOT fully charged a day later. I used a Brunton Solarport folding panel that offers several power outlet configs. One is a 'std' 12-volt outlet - cigarette lighter style. Using this I could directly charge my VHF (Standard Horizon) and cell phone with their native 12V chargers - worked fine. Using the batt-jack to charge the AA's worked too, just that the battery performance was not good. I understand this has improved however, when I'm out on the water I want the GPS to WORK!! Also, the SolarPort is not waterproof so the options were trying to secure it in a map bag on deck and/or using it as soon as you land at the camp site. And it lacks enough power for more than one device at a time. I'd recommend using devices that are native 12V where available. Since then I have installed a "bear-proof" (also waterproof) 30W panel from PowerUp at my very remote camp site. This panel is a seriously laminated thing less than 1/4" thick. It could easily conform to and be secured to a relatively flat deck and provide enough power for all the gear and cool your beers too :). You could roll on over it or thrash it a bit without worring about it, too. Of course, you'd have to waterproof the cable into the kayak and the connections to the gear. I think I'd look at one of these for future trips requiring a power source. Maybe a smaller size & forego the fridge :). At camp I have lights, fridge, charging, and a small wifi network off my cellular broadband (all native 12V)! Might be over the top for a kayak trip. Jennifer -- Jennifer Pivovar jpivovar_at_headwinds.org *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Oct 19 2009 - 17:36:11 PDT
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