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Permalink Reply by Skip Barbour on May 19, 2011 at 11:19pm

BTW  here is the data on  the panel :

 

http://www.civicsolar.com/sites/default/files/library/panels/collat...

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Permalink Reply by Greg Martin on May 20, 2011 at 8:58pm

I'm definitely not an expert on solar panels but I'm seriously in the market for some as well. I would be curious to know what actually makes solar panels "for marine use?" Being outdoors, they have to be rugged no matter what. I would buy them and use them as they are. They're probably OK like they are for use on a boat, and you pay extra, just for the "for marine use" label. I have quite a few things on my boat that weren't made for boats that work just fine or better and cost a fraction of the cost. 

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Permalink Reply by Skip Barbour on May 23, 2011 at 11:57pm

I have  made a huge error.  The Candian  Solar panels will NOT charge a  48 volt system, since they  are "on-grid"  panels that have  a working  voltage near  48 volts. You need, " off grid panels like the one below that has  a higher working  voltage to  get the  electricity to  " flow"  to the batteries properly. There panels are apparently  quite  sturdy and will not need to  be " marinized:

 

 

http://www.ecodirect.com/Kaneka-GSA060-Solar-Panel-60-Watt-48-Volt-...

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Permalink Reply by Capt. Mike on September 29, 2011 at 10:09pm

Skip:

I've never had a problem with a solar  panel installed on my boat.  As long as the mounting is secure I don't see a problem. Just make sure no one can walk on it.  IMO I think they are just protecting themselves from a bad installation on a boat not salt water. Otherwise they would not allow them to be mounted along on land on the coasts of Canada either.

 

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