All Marine Solar Product Categories Listed Below
Marine Solar Panels
Rigid, semi-rigid and flexible
Marine Solar Panels
Our solar panels are highly efficient and built to our rigid specifications. We carry flexible, walk on, and rigid solar panels of all sizes that boaters, vans and campers will find useful.
The solar panels we offer are designed and built specifically to withstand the rigors of the marine environment.
Click here and scroll down for all data and specs on the various marine solar panels we carry.
We offer top-of-pole solar panel mounting kits designed to accommodate a wide range of solar panel manufacturers. We also offer kits specific to our 100, 105, 140 and 175 watt panels.
The solar panels we offer are designed and built specifically to withstand the rigors of the marine environment.
Click here and scroll down for all data and specs on the various marine solar panels we carry.
We offer top-of-pole solar panel mounting kits designed to accommodate a wide range of solar panel manufacturers. We also offer kits specific to our 100, 105, 140 and 175 watt panels.
Charge Controllers and Wire
EP Xtra-N MPPT Controller
A charge controller regulates the voltage and current coming from your solar panels to your batteries. Most "12 volt" panels put out between 16 to 20 volts, so if there is no regulation the batteries may be damaged from overcharging. Most batteries need 14 to 14.5 volts to achieve a full charge.
Many boats are equipped with two battery banks. Our dual output controller is designed specifically for charging two independent battery banks.
Our high efficiency MPPT controllers are designed to charge a single battery bank.
Our solar engineers at Custom Marine Products will help you select the best controller for the solar panels you use.
Many boats are equipped with two battery banks. Our dual output controller is designed specifically for charging two independent battery banks.
Our high efficiency MPPT controllers are designed to charge a single battery bank.
Our solar engineers at Custom Marine Products will help you select the best controller for the solar panels you use.
LiFePO4 Marine Batteries
LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) is a lithium-ion battery technology that is safe, powerful and plug compatible with most lead acid battery charging systems. This battery technology offers many advantages over lead acid technology including high capacity storage, delivery of consistent high power, longer cycle life, less weight, longer shelf life and rapid charging.
EP 1500 Watt Inverter
Victron 3000 Watt Inverter/Charger
|
Inverters and Inverter/Chargers
Inverters - The purpose of an inverter is to supply power to AC appliances (such as a coffee maker or microwave) by inverting DC battery power to AC power. An inverter draws power from the battery bank and supplies it to AC appliances. Inverters are available in various sizes measured in watts of output. The most common inverter capacities range from 1,500 watts to 3,000 watts. Most inverters are about 80-90% efficient which means 80-90% of the power drawn from the battery bank is converted to AC power. Inverter/Chargers - The purpose of an inverter/charger is to both supply power to AC appliances from the battery bank and to charge the battery bank from grid power or a generator. In summary, invert DC to AC current for powering appliances and invert AC to DC current for charging the battery bank. Most inverter/chargers are equipped with an automatic transfer switch (ATS). When grid or generator power is applied to the inverter/charger, the ATS bypasses the inverter and passes the AC current through to the AC appliances and also connects to the built in battery charger to charge the battery bank. When grid or generator power is turned off or removed from the inverter/charger, the ATS automatically disconnects the battery charger and connects the inverter so the AC appliances are powered by the battery bank. |
Outboard Motor Lift Crane
Lift Crane for Hoisting an Outboard Motor
Our lift crane is designed to lift light loads up to 250 pounds. This crane is handy for lifting your outboard motor, provisions, or equipment to and from a dinghy. Simply lift the support line off the end of the crane arm and fold the arm against to pole for easy, out-of-the-way storage.
The lift crane pole can also accommodate our solar panel mount creating one integrated unit.
The lift crane pole can also accommodate our solar panel mount creating one integrated unit.
Complete Marine Solar Systems
90 Watt Solar Panel with
Sun Tracker Mount
and Lifting Crane
Figuring out the size of solar panel you need and matching it up with the various accessories required for a complete high performance system can be a daunting task. That's why our engineers have developed easy to install kits that contain everything you need for your solar system.
Our kits include:
Click for more information about our complete marine solar systems
See our Gallery of Installations for ideas on mounting your solar panel.
Our kits include:
- Marine Solar Panel(s)
- Top-of-pole Sun Tracker mounting system
- Pole and pole brackets
- Charge Controller
- Wiring
- Instructions
- Optional Lifting Crane
Click for more information about our complete marine solar systems
See our Gallery of Installations for ideas on mounting your solar panel.
Solar Panel Mounting Systems
Sun Tracker Solar Panel Mounting System
We offer both top-of-pole Sun Tracker solar panel mounting and custom designed bimini frame mounting systems.
Our top-of-pole marine solar panel mount uses a unique tilt locking mechanism which enables 13 tilt angles for effective solar tracking. These panel mounts fit on a 1.5 inch OD rotating stainless steel pole and can be customized to fit most solar panels. The pole is easily attached to your boat stern rail using our pole brackets. Moving the panel several times a day to track the sun can increase panel output by up to 30%.
See our Blog and our Power Consumption Worksheet for information on how to determine and properly size a solar panel system for your needs.
An optional Outboard Motor Lift can be attached to the pole adding function (easily haul up your dinghy motor) and saving space and money.
Our top-of-pole marine solar panel mount uses a unique tilt locking mechanism which enables 13 tilt angles for effective solar tracking. These panel mounts fit on a 1.5 inch OD rotating stainless steel pole and can be customized to fit most solar panels. The pole is easily attached to your boat stern rail using our pole brackets. Moving the panel several times a day to track the sun can increase panel output by up to 30%.
See our Blog and our Power Consumption Worksheet for information on how to determine and properly size a solar panel system for your needs.
An optional Outboard Motor Lift can be attached to the pole adding function (easily haul up your dinghy motor) and saving space and money.
Radiant Solar Water Heating System Integrated with the Boat Fresh Water System
Solar Panel with Heat Collector Installed
Having warm water for showering and washing dishes while at anchor for an extended period can be a luxury for the cruising sailor. We at Custom Marine Products have come up with an easy and convenient solution; heating water using radiant energy from the sun.
Here's how it works:
Solar panels get quite warm on sunny days. The back of a solar panel tilted toward the sun may reach 140° F. Mounting a heat exchanger (collector) to the back of the solar panel enables the collection of radiant heat passing through the back of the solar panel. Circulating water from the boat water heater through the heat exchanger heats the water in the water heater. The water heater becomes a heat storage vessel. Water is circulated using a low draw circulation pump designed for this purpose so very little electrical energy is consumed.
Here's how it works:
Solar panels get quite warm on sunny days. The back of a solar panel tilted toward the sun may reach 140° F. Mounting a heat exchanger (collector) to the back of the solar panel enables the collection of radiant heat passing through the back of the solar panel. Circulating water from the boat water heater through the heat exchanger heats the water in the water heater. The water heater becomes a heat storage vessel. Water is circulated using a low draw circulation pump designed for this purpose so very little electrical energy is consumed.