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solar power
I just added a small solar panel 1.5 watts that Harbor Freight sell. They have it now on line, on sale for $15.99. It is not a permanent mount as I can put it on the back of the crate and it's the same width as the crate. That way it is very compact and it's just to supplement and help the battery last longer. I run my fish finder and my livewell both off the 12v 10ah battery. I have a timer on the livewell line and it's set for 12 seconds on and 20 seconds off. It will run for 10 hours and only drop battery voltage from 13 volts at the start to 11.8 volts at the end of 10 hours. I don't use the panel regularly but got it, for if I go away to a place without electricity for several days. Then I can help reduce the voltage drop or to charge the battery on the second day while using a back up battery. It doesn't weigh hardly anything and it sure was cheap. They have some with more power but are much larger. I use die electric grease on all the connectors and keep it inside the hatch until I need it so as not to expose it all to the surf at La Jolla. It only took a short bungee cord on each end to secure the 2 ends. It also came with suction cups to secure to inside a windshield and with 2 connectors a cigaret adaptor and 1 with clamps for straight to a battery. Hope that helps anyone. Mark
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