[C320-list] Portable Solar Panel Connection

[Jeff Hare]

Hi Mike,

There's no problem with doing this.  It's a reasonable way to get the job done. 

You would need to leave the battery switch on one.  I'd suggest leaving it set to the battery that has your bilge pump hardwired to it. 

Also, double check that your 12v outlet has power when the Key is off and the batt switch is on (of course).  If not you may need to move the power wire to the 12v outlet to the Hot side of the Keyswitch inside the engine pod. 

Cheers. 
-Jeff


-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Ott <wmo48 at yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:34:13 
To: Catalina 320 Association<C320-list at Catalina320.com>
Subject: [C320-list] Portable Solar Panel Connection

Hello all,
Our boat is on a mooring, so gaining a few amps of electricity from the Sun would be a nice offset to running the engine for the first few hours on weekend cruises.  
I would like to put a flexible solar panel on top of my Bimini and plug it into a cigarette lighter adapter on my engine instrument panel.  The adapter is for my search light and draws power from the engine harness wiring.  Would this system work ?  Would it create any problems with the engine harness wiring or the alternator to run power back through the harness to the batteries ?  would I have to leave the main battery selector swith on ? 
I know this is not the best way to proceed but I'm just looking for a temporary fix for our short sailing season here in New England.
Regards,
Mike
'Amanda Lu'
#508