Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: DaveBMusik on January 19, 2017, 01:23:31 PM

Title: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: DaveBMusik on January 19, 2017, 01:23:31 PM
I'm hoping to do some extended cruising in the Northeast this summer and would like to add about 200 watts of solar. I am looking for any advice from those of you who have added solar to your boats.
I have a house bank with 4 Trojan 105's, dedicated start battery, Balmar 110 alternator. Considering the Victron 75/15 MPPT controller.

Option 1: Permanently mount two hard panels over the bimini (add two bows above and across bimini supported by the existing side rails of frame) Similar to picture attached.
       Pros: panels are reasonably protected, set it and forget it, canvas can be removed easily
       Cons: each panel would be angled to the side slightly and not level, shading from the boom might be an issue, aesthetics (I love the classic look...)

Option 2: Mount a 100W hard panel on the existing cross bar of my davits and a 100W flexible panel on the aft part of the bimini.
      Pros: Davit panel could be rotated for better sun angle, perhaps less shading
      Cons: Davit panel at risk of me (and neighbors) exiting and entering slip, longevity of flexible panel compared to a rigid panel.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks, Dave

Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: patrice on January 20, 2017, 05:51:55 AM
Hi,

I have a 250W panel mounted over the bimini like your picture.
Mounted sideways after the backstay.

Once installed, you just forget about it.  You don't see it.

Mounted over the davit, usually it is not high enough to clear your head when climbing aboard.
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: Sue Clancy on January 20, 2017, 09:35:03 AM
The advantage I see of leaving the hard panel above the bimini is if you can leave that frame up in the winter (I see you are in CT so not sailing in the winter)  you could keep your batteries topped up all winter with that.
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: DaveBMusik on January 20, 2017, 11:17:25 AM
Quote from: patrice on January 20, 2017, 05:51:55 AM
Hi,

I have a 250W panel mounted over the bimini like your picture.
Mounted sideways after the backstay.

Once installed, you just forget about it.  You don't see it.

Mounted over the davit, usually it is not high enough to clear your head when climbing aboard.

Patrice,
Do you have a picture? I wasn't thinking that I could get a panel that large aft of the backstay...
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: Dave Spencer on January 20, 2017, 01:03:06 PM
Dave,
Here are some pictures from Patrice's set up from an earlier post.  I too am surprised that 250W will fit behind the backstay.  Patrice may have more pictures and comments.  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,8860.msg63759.html#msg63759 (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,8860.msg63759.html#msg63759)

I'm looking into solar for our boat and I'm thinking 2 x 100W panels oriented longitudinally running outboard of the backstay.  I don't want to block the window that I have in the bimini that lets me see the sails and the windex.

Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: patrice on January 20, 2017, 01:13:40 PM
Hi,

Here are some picts.

I have 2 frames over the bimini to hold the panel.  The panel sit on 2 bars to hold it cantilever toward the back to clear the backstay, and the panel is about 2-3 inches further than the back of the bimini.
The reason of the 2 additonal bars, is that I found that the 2 frames where to close to each others.  So I mounted one in front and one behind the backstay.

(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll275/Encore-C25/20150808_202014.jpg) (http://s290.photobucket.com/user/Encore-C25/media/20150808_202014.jpg.html)

(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll275/Encore-C25/IMAG0477.jpg) (http://s290.photobucket.com/user/Encore-C25/media/IMAG0477.jpg.html)

(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll275/Encore-C25/IMAG0476.jpg) (http://s290.photobucket.com/user/Encore-C25/media/IMAG0476.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: patrice on January 20, 2017, 01:19:42 PM
Hi,

Thanks for the links.

It does fit behind.  The panel from memory is about 39" x 69"
And my window is in front of it.
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: DaveBMusik on January 20, 2017, 05:00:43 PM
Quote from: patrice on January 20, 2017, 01:19:42 PM
Hi,

Thanks for the links.

It does fit behind.  The panel from memory is about 39" x 69"
And my window is in front of it.

I'm glad to have been reminded of your set-up. It's definitely an interesting option!  A 260 W Kyocera is 65.43" x 38.98"
Do you have a Pic of your boat from a distance? I'm curious to see how the cantilever looks.
Your bimini may be a bit bigger than mine...
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: patrice on January 31, 2017, 12:00:09 PM
Hi,

Sorry it took so long to get back.  But here are more picts.
Hope it will give a good idea.
My panel is the same size as you mentioned.  the 39" is between the backstay and the back side of the bimini.
If you want to check on your boat, you could tape some cardboard to make the panel size and see on your bimini what it would look like.
But mine does come over the back of the bimini by about 3 to 4 in.

(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll275/Encore-C25/IMG_0729.jpg) (http://s290.photobucket.com/user/Encore-C25/media/IMG_0729.jpg.html)

(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll275/Encore-C25/IMG_0714.jpg) (http://s290.photobucket.com/user/Encore-C25/media/IMG_0714.jpg.html)

(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll275/Encore-C25/IMG_0730.jpg) (http://s290.photobucket.com/user/Encore-C25/media/IMG_0730.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: Roland Gendreau on January 31, 2017, 05:02:39 PM
Patrice

I am looking at installing a hard panel on standoffs over the bimini, just as you have done, or flexible panels attached to the bimini itself.    I was wondering if you remove the hard panel for winter storage of leave it attached?   It would seem you could remove the 2 horizontal struts and the panel and supporting frame would be removed.

On my boat, I remove the bimini for the winter as my canvas cover was not designed to accomodate the bimini frame up.   So attaching the panels to the bimini fabric has an advantage.

Thanks,
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: patrice on February 01, 2017, 05:05:09 AM
Hi,

I leave the panel on all year long.  It keep the batteries top during winter months.
I remove only the fabrics.

Originaly my bimini frame had just the 3 arches and a vertical post at the back holding the back arch.  And had straps holding the front of the bimini.  Hated these straps, they,re always in your way going in and out of cockpit.
So I added the horizontal tube to support the panel frame and it hold the whole thing.
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: DaveBMusik on February 01, 2017, 07:13:58 PM
Quote from: patrice on January 31, 2017, 12:00:09 PM

If you want to check on your boat, you could tape some cardboard to make the panel size and see on your bimini what it would look like.
But mine does come over the back of the bimini by about 3 to 4 in.



Thanks!

Exactly what I was looking for!

The cardboard is a nice thought but I'm trying to line up the shop making the cross bows before the spring rush and while the shrink wrap is on....
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: Noah on February 01, 2017, 08:16:44 PM
Remember the old saying "measure twice, cut once..."
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: patrice on February 02, 2017, 04:26:21 AM
Hi,
I bought 12ft length of polish stainless steel tubes.
Rented for a week end a manual tube bender a my local renting store to bend the arches.

http://www.licensedelectrician.com/Store/RT/Hoppy-Bender.htm

So i was mesuring directly on the boat .


Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: Paulus on February 02, 2017, 04:42:49 AM
I have the same setup as Patrice and use my panel during the long winters here in Michigan. 
This spring will be the beginning of the 4th season.  There are pics on this web site.
Would it be possible Patrice for you to post a pic or two?
Thanks,
Paul
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: patrice on February 02, 2017, 07:49:29 AM
Quote from: Paulus on February 02, 2017, 04:42:49 AM
I have the same setup as Patrice and use my panel during the long winters here in Michigan. 
This spring will be the beginning of the 4th season.  There are pics on this web site.
Would it be possible Patrice for you to post a pic or two?
Thanks,
Paul

Hi,

Which pictures would you like ??
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: Paulus on February 02, 2017, 08:13:47 AM
A pic of your solar panel as installed during the sailing season.
Thanks,
Paul
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: patrice on February 02, 2017, 11:35:07 AM
Hi,

All the previous pictures you'll see in this thread are from my boat.
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: Jon W on February 02, 2017, 01:30:25 PM
Patrice, Was the sst tubing you used 1" OD with .065 wall thickness? Was it hard to bend the tubing with a manual conduit bender. Any lessons learned you can pass on? Thanks.
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: patrice on February 02, 2017, 01:41:15 PM
Hi,

My bimini structure is 7/8"
It was not to difficult to bend the tubes.
I was laying the tube on the ground and use your weight to pull on the bender.
If you can have a plank of wood to put on the ground, to protect the finish.

If you never used a bender, like me, I bought metal electricial tube at the local hardware to practice.  Make a mark on the tube and bend.  See where it end-up from the mark. Make a few test and use them as reference for the final one.

Best if you can have help to hold the tube straight when bending the second end.
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: Noah on February 02, 2017, 04:41:32 PM
Very impressive DYI job Patrice! From you practicing on electrical conduit to the finished product!
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: Paulus on February 02, 2017, 05:09:44 PM
Hi Patrice, miss-read one of your post.
Nice job on installation.
Paul

PS.  Do you ever check your batteries and what kind of reading do you get in the winter? 
Very little sunshine here in Michigan during the month of January.
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: patrice on February 03, 2017, 03:51:14 AM
Hi.
I don't check during winter time.
But top them in fall and they are still top in the spring.
And we don't have much  more sun here in northrrn ny. 
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: Paulus on February 03, 2017, 04:27:50 AM
Thanks,
Paul
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: Jon W on February 03, 2017, 08:57:09 PM
Thanks Patrice, really nice work.
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: DaveBMusik on February 06, 2017, 07:04:45 AM
Patrice and Paul -

Do you have any issues climbing over the stern or is there plenty of head room?
Title: Re: Solar Placement Advice
Post by: patrice on February 06, 2017, 07:35:43 PM
Quote from: DaveBMusik on February 06, 2017, 07:04:45 AM
Patrice and Paul -

Do you have any issues climbing over the stern or is there plenty of head room?

Hi,
I don 't have any issue, the back is open i don t have the middle bar.  And this is why i prefer the panel over bimini vs over a davit