Boat & fishing: 12V & solar energy
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Power stations for boats & fishing : depth sounder/plotter , 12V fridge , IP65 LED , 100W USB-C , 12V regulated & 160W panels (MPPT) - 2025 guide
Whether you're on a boat, semi-rigid boat, sailboat, cabin cruiser or fishing kayak, energy must be reliable , quiet and resistant to the marine environment . This guide helps you choose and install an energy station (aka power station / solar generator ) for a fishfinder/plotter , VHF on standby, 12V fridge , IP65 LED lighting , livewell pump /aerator, 100W USB-C charging for laptops/cameras, and 160W solar charging via MPPT . We cover sizing (300/512/700 Wh) , corrosion & IP , 12V wiring , on-board safety and ready scenarios .
View (Marine) Power Stations | 120–160W Foldable Panels (MPPT) | 100/240W USB-C Cables (5A) |20k/30kW Power Banks | 65–100W GaN Chargers
1) Boat profiles & priorities
- Kayak/fishing boat : 5–12 W depth sounder/plotter , LED, livewell aerator, cameras. Weight <= 6–8 kg recommended → compact ~300 Wh station.
- Semi-rigid/open hull : 7–20 W depth sounder, VHF standby, deck LED, USB charging. ~512 Wh versatile.
- Sailing/cruising : 12V fridge (200–500 Wh/day), interior LEDs, pumps, navigation electronics ~700 Wh + 160 W panel recommended.
- Inshore fishing : depth sounder + GPS + livewell + LED, power banks for cameras. 512–700 Wh depending on duration.
Priorities: safety (clean wiring, IP), silence , 6–24 h autonomy , solar/12 V charging , anti-corrosion and controlled weight/volume.
2) Marine environment: salt , IP , corrosion
- Salt & sea spray : Electro likes it dry . Store the station in a ventilated box or ventilated cabinet. Avoid sea spray baths.
- IP Rating : Aims for IP54+ for lighting & peripherals, IP65 on the deck side. The station itself is not submersible: protect it.
- Corrosion : 316 stainless steel / nickel-plated brass connectors, light dielectric grease on DC terminals, fresh water rinse after leaving the sea.
- Vibrations/shocks : rubber/foam sole and tie-down straps . Avoids impact zones (feet, slamming trunks).
- Thermal : in the shade, ventilated , never covered. The hotter it is, the more the station ventilates and loses power.
- Drip loop : always leave a drip loop before the station entrance so that water does not run off into the ports.
3) Choose the station: capacity, power, chemistry
-
Capacity (Wh)
- ~300 Wh : kayak/boat + depth sounder + LED + aerator.
- ~512 Wh : semi-rigid/open sweet spot (depth sounder + VHF standby + LED + USB recharges).
- ~700 Wh : sailboat/cabin + 12 V fridge + LED + recharges + solar top-up.
- Inverter power (AC 230 V pure sine) : 500–700 W is sufficient (chargers, small tools). Keep the AC for the exception: prefer 12 V / USB.
- Chemistry : LiFePO4 = safety & longevity, perfect in hot environments.
- Inputs : Fast mains, built-in solar MPPT , 12V boat/car input.
- Display : % battery + W in/out = fine management at anchor.
4) Useful outputs: 12 V regulated , USB-C 100 W , AC sine
- 12V regulated (cigarette lighter socket & DC outputs): sounder/plotter, 12V fridge, livewell pump, LED, router.
- USB-C Power Delivery 100W : laptop mapping/video, portable displays, hubs, fast charging action cam/drones.
- USB-A : 12–18 W for phones, handheld VHF, backup GPS.
- AC 230V pure sine : for specific chargers (camera, drone) or occasional tools. On board , minimizes AC for safety & efficiency.
5) Sounder/plotter & on-board electronics
- Typical consumption : 4–12″ sounder = ~5–20 W depending on power/screen; similar GPS plotter. Radome/radar = much more, out of range small station .
- Connection : 12 V direct to regulated output. Short & thick cable (see §13.3) to limit voltage drop.
- Parasites : separates the power supply and transducer beams; crosses at 90° if crossing; possible ferrites.
- Fixing : lockable connectors, waterproof bulkheads, abrasion-resistant braided sheath.
- Standby : Turn off the display when sounding at anchor to save 5–10 W.
6) 12V fridge/cooler: consumption & connection
- Compressor : 30–60 W running, ~200–500 Wh/d depending on volume, insulation & weather — the right choice on board.
- Thermoelectric : simple but uses a lot of heat (300–600 Wh/day). Avoid for long battery life.
- Good reflex : pre-cooled at the dock; load food/fresh; setpoint 4°C day / 6–7°C night.
- 12 V direct : higher efficiency + less noise than AC. Short cable & section 2.5–4 mm² .
- Ventilation : free air inlet/outlet grilles; never sealed.
7) IP65 LED lighting: bridge, livewell, nav
- Useful flux : 300–800 lm for cockpit; 1000–2000 lm for deck. Interior: 150–300 lm per spot.
- Consumption : 3–20 W depending on the projector. Prefer 12 V direct for safety.
- Color : warm white (interior), neutral white (bridge), soft night red (preserves vision).
- IP & wiring : IP65/67 for outdoor use; waterproof connectors; drip loops ; bulkheads.
8) Com & navigation: VHF , smartphones, GPS
- Fixed VHF : 4–8 W in standby; short-term transmission 20–30 W (high current). Remains punctual → moderate impact.
- Portable VHF : USB charging on the station; ideal for backup.
- Smartphones/GPS : charge via USB-A/C; a 5A e-marker USB-C cable prevents heating.
- Principle : the station complements the 12 V installation on board or serves as stand-alone energy for small units. It does not replace the ship's critical systems.
9) Livewell pump, aerator & fishing accessories
- Fishpond pump : 10–25 W (12 V). Intermittent use → reasonable daily consumption.
- Aerator : 2–6 W continuous → perfect on 300–512 Wh all day long.
- Accessories : portable compressor, tank lighting, heated hook chargers (rare) → on 12 V/USB.
- Electric trolling motor : requires very high currents (tens of amps) → not suitable for small portable stations. Uses a dedicated battery.
10) Solar 120–160 W: boat mounting
- Realistic output : 120 W → 70–95 W useful; 160 W → 110–135 W (angle, minimal shading, short cables).
- Fixing : folding panel on arch , boom, foredeck or awning with straps and mooring points. Avoids shadows (rigging, antennas).
- Connections : MC4 & DC adapter to the station, integrated MPPT for optimal performance.
- Sea : Rinse the panel with fresh water; wipe off the salt which reduces performance.
11) Charging while sailing: 12 V on board
- 12V Input : 60–120W typical via cigarette lighter/boat accessory socket. Check fuse & section.
- Good reflex : plug in after starting , unplug before stopping to avoid voltage drops.
- Alternator mode : power varies; complete with solar at anchor.
12) Autonomy: coastal profiles & anchorage
Autonomie (h) ≈ Capacité(Wh) × Rendement / Charge(W)
USB-C/12 V ≈ 0,90 | AC ≈ 0,85
“Kayak/boat” profile (day)
- Sonar 8 W × 8 h = 64 Wh; LED 5 W × 2 h = 10 Wh; aerator 4 W × 4 h = 16 Wh → ~90 Wh .
- 300 Wh → 2–3 days fishing margin (USB/DC only).
“Coastal fishing” profile (semi-rigid)
- Sonar 12 W × 6 h = 72; VHF standby 5 W × 6 h = 30; Bridge LED 10 W × 3 h = 30; USB (phones/cams) 25 Wh → ~157 Wh .
- 512 Wh → long day + recharges; solar 120–160 W compensates on pause.
“Evening + Night Anchorage” Profile (sailboat/cabin)
- 12 V fridge ~350 Wh/d; Interior LED 15 W × 4 h = 60; USB 40 Wh; VHF standby 30 Wh → ~480 Wh .
- 700 Wh → 1 day without recharging; 160 W panel (2–3 h) → +220–405 Wh to keep up.
“On-board video content” profile
- Laptop USB-C 55 W × 3 h = 165; cameras 30 Wh; LED 20 W × 2 h = 40; + sounder 10 W × 4 h = 40 → ~275 Wh .
- 512 Wh → ok for the day; 700 Wh if fridge + night at anchor.
13) Practical tables
13.1 Typical consumption
| Equipment | Power (≈) | Energy/d (≈) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7–12″ Fishfinder/Plotter | 5–20 W | 40–160 Wh | Depends on brightness & ping |
| Fixed VHF (standby) | 4–8 W | 30–60 Wh | Short emission: 20–30 W |
| 12V compressor fridge | 30–60 W | 200–500 Wh | Insulation & deposit |
| LED deck/interior | 3–20 W | 20–120 Wh | IP65 outside |
| Fishpond pump | 10–25 W | 30–120 Wh | Intermittent |
| USB-C Laptop | 45–100 W | 60–200 Wh | 5A e-marker cable |
| Smartphone/cameras | — | 20–80 Wh | USB-A/C |
13.2 Station × recommended sign
| Configuration | Ability | Sign | Charging time (sun) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kayak/boat | ~300 Wh | 100–120 W | ~3–5 h |
| Semi-rigid/open | ~512 Wh | 120–160 W | ~4–6 h |
| Sailboat/Cabin | ~700 Wh | 160 W | ~4–7 h |
13.3 Sections & Fuses (12–20 V DC)
| Line | Fluent | Cable (≈) | Fuse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10W sounder | ~1 A | 1.0–1.5 mm² | 2 A |
| 25W fishpond pump | ~2 A | 1.5–2.5 mm² | 5 A |
| 60W Fridge | 5 A | 2.5–4 mm² | 10 A |
| 12 V distribution | 10–15 A | 4–6 mm² | 15 A |
13.4 IP indices (reminder)
| IP | Use | Note |
|---|---|---|
| IP54 | Damp interior | Splash resistant |
| IP65 | Bridge/cockpit | Water jets |
| IP67 | Nearby projections | Short immersion |
14) Express marine checklist
- Capacity : 300 Wh (kayak/boat), 512 Wh (open), 700 Wh (sailboat/fridge).
- Ports : 12V regulated , USB-C 100W , AC sine , MPPT .
- Anti-corrosion : 316 stainless steel, light contact grease, fresh water rinse.
- Wiring : sections cf. §13.3, drip loops , waterproof connectors.
- Fixing : secured station (straps), in the shade, ventilated.
- Solar : 120–160 W, short & thick MC4/DC, minimal shading.
- Recharge : 12 V after starting; unplug before stopping.
- Safety : AC as a last resort; favor 12V & USB for everything.
15) LymobileShop selection (stations, panels, power banks)
Stations ~512 Wh — semi-rigid/open
- Advantages : LiFePO4 , 12 V regulated , USB-C 100 W , AC 500–700 W, MPPT .
- Uses : sounder + VHF standby + LED + USB (phones/cams).
Stations ~700 Wh — sailboat/cabin
- Advantages : fridge space + nights at anchor, AC 700–1000 W, W in/out display.
- Uses : 12V fridge + LED + sounder + recharges + laptop.
120–160 W Foldable Panels
- Pros : MPPT , 70–135W usable, kickstands, MC4/DC, easy to rinse.
20k/30k Powerbanks — Portable Cameras & VHF
- Pros : PD 20–30W, fast charging, light on the belt.
16) Boat & Fishing FAQ
Can I start the engine with the station?
No. A starter requires very high currents . The station powers the electronics & comfort, not the engine start.
What about a 12V trolling motor ?
Not for a standard portable station (limit 10–15 A). Uses a dedicated high-capacity battery and suitable wiring.
AC or 12V on board?
12V/USB first for safety & efficiency. AC sine wave occasionally for specific chargers.
Does salt damage ports?
Yes. Protect them (covers, drip loops ), rinse with fresh water and apply a light contact grease .
UPS at sea?
Useful when anchoring for fridge/router/laptop. Always test the mains→battery switch before going out.
17) Trust & Services LymobileShop
- Delivery : free in France, fast shipping.
- Payment : secure, several methods to choose from.
- After-sales service : team in France, 12 V/USB-C/MPPT/IP advice adapted to your boat.
- Returns & Warranty : 14 days to change your mind, 2 year warranty .