A new solar panel

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Technodad

Technodad

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Sep 30, 2009
139
81 O'Day 23-2.......... Kiwi Magic Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Here is a simple project to keep your batteries up to full charge.
All pretty self explanatory....
A length of SS tubing, 8 clamps, 2 bases, 4 alum pieces of flat a couple of inches long, 2 pieces of 1/8"x1x1 angle and 2 more pieces of alum 1/4x1 1/2"flat, some screws and a solar panel.
I have fitted a voltage regulator so that he battery does not overcharge.
The solar panel wire goes down one of the tubes and off coarse a flag can fly from it.
This set up works very well.
Note: the tube fittings can be purchased quite cheaply, they are made in China.......shhhh

Cheers John

Pics






 
kpgraci

kpgraci

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Jun 12, 2010
936
Oday 22 Orleans Marina, NOLA
Seconded. I've been wanting to do something like that for a while. Thanks.
 
E

ebsail

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Nov 28, 2010
241
O day 25 Nyack. New York
I went even simpler. Just wired a loose solar panel to the controler and then to my batteries. I just leave the 30 watt panel on a cockpit seat when I'm not sailing. Since I sail only 5% of the time, the panel is exposed 95% of the time. When sailing, I store it in the lazerette, still wired, with no plugs or disconnects. It's kept 2 group 27 batteries charged all season. Ernie
 
anchorclanker

anchorclanker

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May 27, 2012
1,152
Oday 222 Beaver Lake, Arkansas
Anyone place one on the hatch cover? While I am sure it can handle the weight I never walk on it. Seems like it would be okay there. And what if you did step on it accidentally?
 
R

rrichard

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Oct 12, 2010
5
Oday 23 Illinois River
You said cheap fittings...where? I've got a 30w panel on my stern rail and want to raise it like you did, but the fittings I've seen are $20+ each!
 
kpgraci

kpgraci

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Jun 12, 2010
936
Oday 22 Orleans Marina, NOLA
ebsail said:
I went even simpler. Just wired a loose solar panel to the controler and then to my batteries. I just leave the 30 watt panel on a cockpit seat when I'm not sailing. Since I sail only 5% of the time, the panel is exposed 95% of the time. When sailing, I store it in the lazerette, still wired, with no plugs or disconnects. It's kept 2 group 27 batteries charged all season. Ernie
Click to expand
That's what I do now. Works ok, but a permenant rig would be better I think.
 
FourPoints

FourPoints

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Apr 8, 2010
1,606
Frers 33 41426 Westport, CT
I did a somewhat similar installation for my 12w panel (which btw it less than half the size of the 15w pictured by the OP). This looks like a quality installation you have done, even if the panel installed on it isn't :)

You can check out how I did my panel here:
http://sailingit.com/blog/boat-projects/solar-panel-mounting-and-installation
This is a simple and easy way for a panel of smaller dimensions.

edit, read down half way to see the finished mount, the first picture is of the 1st try, not the final solution.
 
Technodad

Technodad

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Sep 30, 2009
139
81 O'Day 23-2.......... Kiwi Magic Oakville, Ontario, Canada
The panel I used is a good quality 15 watt panel made specifically for RV's, boats etc, it is weatherproof and costs about $80 when they come on sale. Good value and with a simple installation very cost effective.
On my previous boat I did the same thing as you only with a 5.5 watt panel, I mounted it on a single pole like yours, that was a very economical project as well and it lasted for years and is still going.
 
FourPoints

FourPoints

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Apr 8, 2010
1,606
Frers 33 41426 Westport, CT
I recognize the panel, it's sold at WM (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=50523&subdeptNum=50529&classNum=50530), my comment about quality is more referring to space efficiency because for a panel of those dimensions, most manufacturers are outputting somewhere between 50 and 80 watts, so for the same size panel you could get 5 times the power (and yes I know it's also close to 5x the price)

http://www.defender.com/ProductDisplay?id=778863
http://www.defender.com/ProductDisplay?id=1802176
http://www.defender.com/ProductDisplay?id=1719141
 
Technodad

Technodad

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Sep 30, 2009
139
81 O'Day 23-2.......... Kiwi Magic Oakville, Ontario, Canada
You're right, those Defender panels are high power and do come with a voltage regulator, good high quality panels.
 
kpgraci

kpgraci

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Jun 12, 2010
936
Oday 22 Orleans Marina, NOLA
Just to elaborate. I sit my panel on the cockpit seat - problem is shadows, depending on how the panel is internally wired even a small shadow (from a line) can greatly degrade the panel's output. High end panels can overcome this, most I'm guessing do not. Any mounting spots on the deck will suffer from the shadow problem. Also a mount will allow me to angle the panel while docked to get a better shot at the sun, another performance killer. Plus it's out of the way and can be left in place while sailing.

I've found too many good ideas I want to do on this site, I don't have time for this.
 
FourPoints

FourPoints

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Apr 8, 2010
1,606
Frers 33 41426 Westport, CT
Technodad said:
http://www.marinepartdepot.com/newststdehi.html
Click to expand
THANK YOU!!! those prices are amazing! I just ordered a part from there that I have been wanting for 3 years, for $16 each. I was previously told the part was A). not actually produced by anyone (as in has never been made, I'm dreaming of the part) and B). would cost at least $75 if it were so I C). never really looked due to the price my canvas maker told me it would cost...

http://www.marinepartdepot.com/ststco1.html this is how I will be able to make my bimini frame fold up without the need of a screwdriver, and taking things apart! (very hard to do while underway) :dance:
 
Technodad

Technodad

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Sep 30, 2009
139
81 O'Day 23-2.......... Kiwi Magic Oakville, Ontario, Canada
I'm so happy you guy's can make use of this SS parts supplier, they are very good to deal with and the prices are as you say, FourPoints, amazing.
 
Looking4Wind

Looking4Wind

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Sep 11, 2010
26
Oday 25 Living in Edmonton, Boat moored at Gull Lake.
Nice work on that mount Technodad!

Attached is a shot of how I added a 110 watt solar panel to my O'Day 25 last year.

I too used marinepartdepot for some of the fittings. I've used them twice now and have had great service both times. And being in Canada the free shipping is really appreciated!

My mount required:

3 X 10' 1" SS tubing (About $125.00) Boatcraft
8 X 1" T fittings ($80) marinepartdepot.com
4 X 1" T hinged T fittings ($80) Boatcraft

Mark
 

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