"Roll-up" flexible solar panels

[Jack Daynes]

I have a couple of kayaks (Folbots, actually) that
I use as a floating platform for photographing
birds. I'm in the process of setting up a small
12v troll motor on the boat (paddling causes alarm
with the birds and they don't allow me a close
approach). In order to extend the battery run
time, I'd like to apply a solar panel (or two) on
the deck of the boat. A flexible panel would be
more useful to me than a ridged panel. I have
found several on the net, but I don't know if
there are better products out there. Here are a
couple of links that I found:

<http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...Id=10001&langId=-1&productId=119682&ref=81902>

<http://amos.shop.com/cc.amos?sy=pro... solar panel&ccsid=285339969-3225&_ccn_test=1>

<http://www.absak.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/101>

<http://www.prolitegear.com/cgi-bin/prolitegear/pl_brunton_solarroll_14>


Are there any pitfalls with these products or
vendors? Any guidance you could offer would be
greatly appreciated.

T.I.A.
--
-- Jack --
=================================
Everything you see is temporary.
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Clean Up Return Address To Reply
=================================
Poway, California (San Diego Co.)
N 32° 57' W 117° 04'
At 508' Elevation
=================================

 

[garigue]

I have a couple of kayaks (Folbots, actually) that
I use as a floating platform for photographing
birds. I'm in the process of setting up a small
12v troll motor on the boat (paddling causes alarm
with the birds and they don't allow me a close
approach). In order to extend the battery run
time, I'd like to apply a solar panel (or two) .........

Hello Jack .....my advice strictly from fishing and using a small Min-Kota
motor is that you would get more bang from your buck by just getting another
battery for reserve and forgetting the panels as cost, weather variables,
and charging current versus consumption would put the scheme in the
counter-productive category ..... The trolling motor needed for your needs
would be of the larger type as you are using two kayaks. I have learned the
hard way what a "smaller" motor coupled with a good head wind will do.... or
rather won't.

Good luck with your plans and God Bless ....Tom in Belle Vernon Pa.

 

[Jack Daynes]

Hello Jack .....my advice strictly from fishing and using a small Min-Kota
motor is that you would get more bang from your buck by just getting another
battery for reserve and forgetting the panels as cost, weather variables,
and charging current versus consumption would put the scheme in the
counter-productive category ..... The trolling motor needed for your needs
would be of the larger type as you are using two kayaks. I have learned the
hard way what a "smaller" motor coupled with a good head wind will do.... or
rather won't.

Good luck with your plans and God Bless ....Tom in Belle Vernon Pa.

=================================
Tom,

Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify: I'm not
planning to give up paddling completely. I don't
really mind covering a little distance under the
oar (so, to speak). It's when I'm closing in on my
subject that I see the troll motor come into play
for slow maneuvering. I've considered a second
battery, but for now, I'd like to keep the weight
down.

I realize that these panels won't deliver much
current, but if I can use them as described above,
I might extend the run time of a single battery. I
expect to know more about the power requirements
after I setup the boat, motor, and battery.

And speaking of Min-Kota; I'm expecting mine to
arrive Tuesday. It will be the small 30# one. I
hope it will be enough! If I mis-lead you, I
apologize, but I'll only be using one boat at a
time, and it will most likely be the smaller
(Folbot Edisto) boat (the other is the Greenland
II, a two man kayak).

Be Well,
--
-- Jack --
=================================
Everything you see is temporary.
=================================
Clean Up Return Address To Reply
=================================
Poway, California (San Diego Co.)
N 32° 57' W 117° 04'
At 508' Elevation
=================================