Solar Placement Advice

[DaveBMusik]

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

[patrice]

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.

[Sue Clancy]

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.

[DaveBMusik]

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...

[Dave Spencer]

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

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.

[patrice]

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.

[patrice]

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.

[DaveBMusik]

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...

[patrice]

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.

[Roland Gendreau]

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,

[patrice]

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.

[DaveBMusik]

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....

[Noah]

Remember the old saying "measure twice, cut once..."

[patrice]

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 .

[Paulus]

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