242X factory solar panels and AGM batteries

[F.M.]

My batteries seemed to be getting weaker and weaker, so I decided it was time to replace them. The date code on the batteries was July of 2016, and I bought my boat at the end of 2017 as a demo model. And since my house battery running the stereo was a group 24 starting battery, I'm not shocked it was getting weak.

I went with another group 24 for my starting battery, but upgraded to an AGM with a 4 year warranty. For my house battery I went with a group 31 deep cycle AGM, with a 4 year warranty also. My question is since my boat sits in fun sun 24/7, will my factory solar panels be good enough to maintain them?

 

[tabbibus]

Maybe. But I don't trust my solar panels

 

[F.M.]

Mine have worked very well so far.

 

[Renod]

F.M. - I am curious if you have an update on the new AGM battery and solar panel performance.

 

[F.M.]

Everything seems to be working fine. I've only been out twice since the install. I've run the stereo for about 6 hours straight and the new 31 didn't drop below 12.5V.

 

[Julian]

The post below has an interesting chart on charging rates:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/2019-242x-solar-panel-charging.22519/page-2#post-394802

Your results will vary a lot depending on how long you run the stereo, how long you run the engines, and how much sun you have!

 

[F.M.]

The chart seems pretty spot on from the research I did. My boat currently sits in full sun 24/7, so the panels charge the batteries just fine while sitting for a few days. We are in the process of house hunting though. So once we find something where the boat can be parked indoors I'll have to install an onboard charger.

 

[Renod]

Thanks to both of you!

 

[Garyav16]

Question on the solar power. I Have the OEM solar panels on my 242. Do the switches have to be on or can power be off so the batteries will charge using the panels?

 

[F.M.]

They will charge with the switches on or off . They just charge really slowly.

 

[Garyav16]

They will charge with the switches on or off . They just charge really slowly.

Thanks. Was hoping it would benefit me. Sits in a RV lot for the weekday so should help. I have an onboard charger as well. "ProMariner, ProSport 20plus 3 bank" Works great when I have the boat home for cleaning.

 

[JoshCanSwim]

Question on the solar power. I Have the OEM solar panels on my 242. Do the switches have to be on or can power be off so the batteries will charge using the panels?

I have seen those and have been EXTREMELY curious about them.

Do they do *anything* for you at all? They seem like an awesome idea but... I've seen several say they don't help at all?

 

[F.M.]

I have seen those and have been EXTREMELY curious about them.

Do they do *anything* for you at all? They seem like an awesome idea but... I've seen several say they don't help at all?

They don't really help any during the day while you're out on the water. But they work like a maintainer during the week when your not using your boat. They provide a very slow trickle charge, and take a day or two to top off AGMs.

 

[JoshCanSwim]

They don't really help any during the day while you're out on the water. But they work like a maintainer during the week when your not using your boat. They provide a very slow trickle charge, and take a day or two to top off AGMs.

ah thank you that makes total sense.

So then, when you are on the water you still need to watch your batter and or setup a dual-battery option, etc...

 

[F.M.]

If you're running multiple amps pushing major wattage, you're going to want a dual battery setup at a minimum. Some folks run a starting battery and multiple house batteries. I'm only running 1 group 24 AGM starting and 1 group 31 AGM for my house battery. I've had quite a few 6-8 hr days on the water and never had the house battery get too low. But I also use an on-board smart charger when my boat is parked in the garage (no sun indoors for my solar panels). If you run a dual battery setup that is wired correctly, the starting battery is kept safe from being discharged by the stereo and you won't have any starting issues to worry about.

 

[JoshCanSwim]

If you're running multiple amps pushing major wattage, you're going to want a dual battery setup at a minimum. Some folks run a starting battery and multiple house batteries. I'm only running 1 group 24 AGM starting and 1 group 31 AGM for my house battery. I've had quite a few 6-8 hr days on the water and never had the house battery get too low. But I also use an on-board smart charger when my boat is parked in the garage (no sun indoors for my solar panels). If you run a dual battery setup that is wired correctly, the starting battery is kept safe from being discharged by the stereo and you won't have any starting issues to worry about.

Makes sense, thanks!

 

[mraz72]

I have a 2016 with the panels, I feel like they don't do much so I don't rely on them.