Solar power is a great way to charge your ePropulsion motor. While solar charging is slower than using a standard AC charger, it's a great solution for boaters who are off grid or keep their electric boat at a mooring. Solar charging is also a great solution for cruising sailors who want to charge their electric outboard with solar, avoiding the need to start a generator or use an inverter. To charge an ePropulsion outboard with solar, you'll need an ePropulsion solar charge controller and at least one solar panel.
How to charge the ePropulsion eLite with solar
In order to charge the ePropulsion eLite with solar, you'll need to purchase the ePropulsion eLite Solar Charge Controller. Since the eLite's battery is built in, it's not possible to use a third party solar charge controller. The eLite Solar Charge Controller also comes with a 12 volt adapter cable; one end is MC4 solar connectors, and the other end plugs into a 12v outlet. So you can use the charge controller with a solar panel, or 12v outlet.
Then, you'll need to choose a solar panel that works well for your boat and fits the specifications of the eLite Solar Charge Controller. If you're familiar with solar, you can use those specs to choose the best panel for your setup. You'll see that the maximum panel size is 100 watts and that the open voltage must be 23 volts or less. It's important to consider these specifications when choosing a solar panel.
If you aren't familiar with solar, we recommend taking a look at the solar page on our website. In the description of each panel you'll see if that solar panel is compatible with the eLite Solar charger. We also have eLite Solar Charging Kits for sale, which include the charge controller and the panel, everything you need to charge the eLite with solar!
How long does it take to charge the ePropulsion eLite with solar?
We tested the eLite Solar Charge Controller with a 100W rigid panel on a sunny day in a non-shaded area, with the panel angled at the sun. We found that the eLite charged at a rate of 20% per hour. Please keep in mind that charging speed depends on a number of factors, including the efficiency of the solar panel, shade, cloud cover, obstructions and the angle of the panel relative to the sun.
How to charge the ePropulsion Spirit with solar
Charging the ePropulsion Spirit Battery with solar is very similar to charging the eLite with solar. First, you'll need to buy the ePropulsion Spirit Solar Charge Controller. This connects to the Spirit Battery to a solar panel and regulates the energy flowing into the battery. The Spirit Solar Charge Controller also comes with a 12v adapter, which allows you to charge the Spirit Battery with a 12 volt outlet in addition to a solar panel.
Once you have the Spirit charge controller, you'll need to select an appropriate solar panel. The maximum wattage of a solar panel for the Spirit Solar Charge Controller is 400 watts; this could be one panel or multiple panels, but if it is multiple solar panels, the total wattage cannot exceed 400 watts. It's also important to choose a solar panel with an open voltage of 45v or less. You can see the full specifications in the Spirit Solar Charge Controller User Manual; there is a picture of it on the product page on our website.
If you aren't experienced with solar, you can look at the solar section of our website. In the description of each panel, you'll see which electric outboard charge controller the panel is compatible with. We also have ePropulsion Spirit Solar Charging Kits for sale, which include the charge controller and a solar panel.
How long does it take to charge the ePropulsion Spirit Battery Plus with solar?
We tested the ePropulsion Spirit Solar Charge Controller with a 100W rigid panel on a sunny day in a non-shaded area, with the panel angled at the sun. We found that the Spirit Battery charged at a rate of 5% per hour. Please keep in mind that charging speed depends on a number of factors, including the efficiency of the solar panel, shade, cloud cover, obstructions and the angle of the panel relative to the sun.
How to charge the ePropulsion E Series battery with solar
Just like charging the ePropulsion eLite or ePropulsion Spirit Battery with solar, the first thing you'll need to do to charge the E60 or E163 with solar is to buy the E Battery MPPT Solar Charge Controller. This is designed to be permanently installed on your boat near the E Series Battery.
Then, it's time to make a selection of solar panels. The maximum power input is 1600W. It's unlikely that you'll have enough space for that many panels on your boat, but who knows- maybe you can set up all of those solar panels on your dock! We don't have solar charging kits for the E Battery Solar Charge Controller listed on our website, but any of the panels that we have listed will work with it. We are a dealer for Renogy and can get you any of their products. If you're interested, please feel free to send us an email to luke@emoelectric.co.
How to charge third party ePropulsion batteries with solar
If you're using a third party battery with your ePropulsion outboard, you don't need an ePropulsion solar charge controller. Just make sure that the charge controller you're using is compatible with your battery. Since there are a wide variety of third party batteries for ePropulsion motors, we don't have an off the shelf recommendation. If you need help finding a charge controller, please feel free to reach out!
How to choose the right type of solar panel for your electric outboard
As we've discussed, it's important that the solar panel you choose to charge your ePropulsion motor fits the technical specifications of the eLite Solar Charge Controller, Spirit Solar Charge Controller, or E Battery MPPT Solar Charge Controller. You don't want a solar panel that puts out more power than what the charge controller can handle!
But that's not the only parameter. You need to figure out where you're going to put the solar panel on your boat, Rigid solar panels are top of mind when most people think of a solar panel; they're the same style you see on homes, with hard aluminum frames. They are also flexible panels, which can bend, and portable solar panels, which fold up and aren't designed for permanent installation.
In order to choose the best style of solar panel for your electric outboard, you first need to decide if it will be permanently installed. If you don't plan to permanently install it, a portable panel is probably the best solution. Some customers use a flexible solar panel for nonpermanent installations as well.
If you plan to permanently install a solar panel for your ePropulsion outboard, we recommend a rigid or flexible solar panel. Rigid panels are typically more efficient, but flexible panels often work better on boats, which often have curved surfaces.
Another consideration is the wattage of your solar panel. The more wattage you have, the faster your electric outboard will charge. But bigger solar panels also take up more space on your boat! We recommend looking at the dimensions of a few solar panels, then seeing how it might fit on your boat.
If you need a hand choosing the best solar panel for your ePropulsion outboard, feel free to contact us- we're here to help!