Solar Placement Advice

patrice · 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 ??

Paulus · February 02, 2017, 08:13:47 AM

A pic of your solar panel as installed during the sailing season.
Thanks,
Paul

patrice · February 02, 2017, 11:35:07 AM

Hi,

All the previous pictures you'll see in this thread are from my boat.

Jon W · 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.

patrice · 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.

Noah · February 02, 2017, 04:41:32 PM

Very impressive DYI job Patrice! From you practicing on electrical conduit to the finished product!

Paulus · 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.

patrice · 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.

Paulus · February 03, 2017, 04:27:50 AM

Thanks,
Paul

Jon W · February 03, 2017, 08:57:09 PM

Thanks Patrice, really nice work.

DaveBMusik · 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?

patrice · 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