Batteries & Charging Them

Having enough power on a boat is a combination of battery choice, monitoring, maintenance and charging.

Learn how not to have any amp-ogres aboard!

Is It the Refrigerator — or Bad Batteries?

Published on May 5, 2017; last updated on May 15, 2018 by Carolyn Shearlock

Your refrigerator isn’t cooling and you’ve checked everything you can on it. Don’t give up — there’s another possibility! [More] Is It the Refrigerator — or Bad Batteries?

More From Your Solar Panels

Published on March 2, 2016; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

We live over 90% on solar power and did on our previous boat, too. It’s fairly easy on nice days in the middle of summer, but we do okay even on partially cloudy short winter days with just a little extra effort. [More] More From Your Solar Panels

Upgrading Lead-Acid Batteries

Published on January 25, 2016; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How to get the most amp-hours in a bank of lead-acid batteries for a boat or RV. Two myths busted and other important information. [More] Upgrading Lead-Acid Batteries

How Much Solar Power Do You Need?

Published on October 21, 2015; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Why it’s impossible for a solar power estimator to tell you precisely how much solar power you need. 14 things that may be different in the real world. [More] How Much Solar Power Do You Need?

Solar Upgrade

Published on April 18, 2015; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

We did a major upgrade on our solar charging and we now live almost totally on solar power. Here’s what we did (mostly DIY) and the cost. [More] Solar Upgrade

Easy Battery Watering

Published on March 8, 2015; last updated on June 10, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How do you add water on a monthly basis to batteries you can’t even reach? A battery watering system makes it easy! [More] Easy Battery Watering

Choosing and Installing a Victron Battery Monitor

Published on February 20, 2015; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Step-by-step instructions with pictures to install a Victron battery monitor, including reasons for having a battery monitor and why we chose this one. [More] Choosing and Installing a Victron Battery Monitor

Testing Batteries

Published on February 11, 2015; last updated on September 30, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

A not-very-expensive battery tester that’s easy to use right in the boat with results comparable to a load tester! [More] Testing Batteries

No Amp Ogres!

Published on January 20, 2015; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Our four-step approach to power on our boat means that we have electricity for everything we want. [More] No Amp Ogres!

Refrigeration Problem? Or Bad Batteries?

Published on June 26, 2013; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Your refrigerator is running all the time but nothing is really cold. Is it time to call in the refrigerator repairman? Or is it something else? [More] Refrigeration Problem? Or Bad Batteries?