Solar battery charger

[Bad Habit]

Looking for advice on solar battery charger/tender. I don't have shore power on my boat. I was wondering if I should use a solar battery tender to keep it charged up. I have duel batteries and I do use the main engine to troll. I've never used one but I was thinking it might not be a bad idea. Looked at a few on line but the reviews weren't that great on them.

[work2fish]

I use a 100 w Coleman cheap and effective. I use it on the deep cycles as a trickle charge. worked all season no issues always full.

[RSF]

Agreed w/work2fish. Use'm (solar panels) for and in place of weather shielding 100 watts or better and Coleman has jumped into and is serving this market well - performance and price on 12.6 volt battery(s). In my opinion the right thing to do with boaters w/boats with limited or little engine recharge power or just stationary, engine off.

[bout time]

This is a decent link to some chargers.

http://www.carbatterychargerscentral.com/solar-panel-battery-charger-top-5/

One question I have is does anyone use one solar charger to charge both batteries? I have a auto bilge that runs off one battery and normally turn the other battery off. Thinking of leaving both batteries on and connecting charger to charge both

Edited April 13, 2016 by bout time