RE: [Paddlewise] A last turn on Global Warning -> exercise and power -> rechargeable batteries for kayak equipment - will they work?

G'Day Jennifer and Paul,

Reading your posts it sounds as if either AA's or device specific custom
rechargeable batteries will work well by using a master lead acid (or maybe
these days a LiFeP) rechargeable 12V battery. Jennifer's words "when I'm out
on the water I want the GPS to WORK persuade me that maybe staying with the
rechargeables that come with the GPS (and VHF) is the best way to go and you
both point out how straight forward it is to use an intermediary 12V battery.
I completely agree with Paul, theres no way I'd expose connectors or charge up
expensive devices in/on a kayak. The trick will be preventing water finding
its way along the inside or the outside of the cables leading from the panel
and through the deck. But if rooftop panels can survive then the deck top
should be possible also.

Re the solar panel on the kayak vs a fold up unit for the camp site - The deck
option has the advantage of extended times for charging in a shadow free
environment This is a personal choice as I'm likely to spend more time on
water than land. For this application I'm definitely looking for flexible
panel units, preferably with diode protection on each cell to overcome the
line shadow problem which as Paul mentioned, can switch off large areas of
cells in a crystalline panel. Unisolar flexible arrays may be worth checking
out but I'm keen to look at the specs on the Brunton Solarport folding panel
that Jennifer described. Has it lasted well over the years?

Many thanks for the feedback.

All the best, PeterO
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