Aluminum Bimini Frame

[Bad Obsession]

My Bimini has an aluminum frame. I want to get a flexible solar panel, around 50 or 60 watt. I would like to install that solar panel on my Bimini.

The specs state that the weight is around 3 pounds or so.

Is that too much extra weight or will the bimini be fine with the flexible solar panel? I would to add more solar as insurance that I am getting a good charge and good upkeep, but I think that 50-60 watts should be sufficient for my needs (if it could take it I wouldn't mind doing a 100 watt solar panel).

There was a post a while back about some of the other flexible solar panels, like Renogy. I was wondering how they turned out for the people who got them.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Had an aluminum Bimini frame for years. Had a flex solar panel on top for years- no problems.

Mine is simply lashed on using line into the grommet on the corners of the panel. Been there for some 7 years now.

 

[Chief RA]

TSBB 2: How many watts is the panel? I was just going to suggest using a 100w panel as the added weight per watt must be good. If you get a 60 you will want a bigger one almost immediately! Chief

 

[Bad Obsession]

I am watching the budget and thinking hard on this one. 100 watts would be overkill but there is nothing wrong with that as long as you have a charge controller!

What brands are okay?

I should be fine putting this on the bimini then?

 

[Chief RA]

Your long range budget may suffer if you go too small. I'll give you my boat stats to help you make up your mind. Only a few feet longer than yours, Radios, 600w inverter, sonar, TV, autohelm, 2.3cf DC Isotherm (www.defender.com) refrigerater w/ freezer at only .7a. Boat powered by 200 a/h bank, outboard motor 6amp chgr, 160w rigid rear frame mount solar panels. A 100w flex panel and controller will run about 300 on Amazon but a fixed panel 100w kit is much cheaper and just mount on stern or put sponge edging on aluminum frame and put it on the deck each time you use it. I know, I have now poisoned your mind. ha
Merry Christmas! Chief

PS: Get MPPT charger NOT PWM!

 

[seadaddler]

solar

Here in Fl. I see 2-solar panels supported by bimini frame all the time
and I have 2-solar panel and front is on my arch but the rear is support
by the bimini frame which does have a vertical stainless pole from the frame
to stern stainless.
Always go larger with solar panels because you don't always get what you
think you will get from sun or shade or clouds and also what you loose from loss.
Nick

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

TSBB 2: How many watts is the panel? I was just going to suggest using a 100w panel as the added weight per watt must be good. If you get a 60 you will want a bigger one almost immediately! Chief

I'm extremely frugal on electric. All interior lighting is LED. I've lived for several years now with a single 32 watt panel. I'd like to go to a 50, but really don't need more than that.

Done close to 10,000 miles with that so far

Oh and I use a Sunsaver controller, by Morningstar. Good folks. I had a problem with the original, they determined it was still under warranty (two weeks left on the warranty) and drop shipped a new one to a port ahead of me.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I don't run refrigeration or an inverter. I have minimal use.

LED anchor light. LED cabin light. GPS, Sonar, Autohelm, 12V fans, stereo.

Something tells me that 100 watts is probably overkill, but I like the extra just in case. I may run a small inverter to run the laptop but I didn't even take the laptop last trip and the use would be minimal.

If I do mount it on the bimini I may get some shading from the boom. Not a huge deal and another reason to go to 100 Watts if I can fit it. I need to measure things first as I have no idea how wide the bimini would be.

I am adding a second group 27 deep cycle to boost the house battery. Then with the 100 watt panel I think that I will meet my power needs while cruising without having to take a slip.

What size controller should I put into the system?

 

[Sumner]

.....If I do mount it on the bimini I may get some shading from the boom. Not a huge deal and another reason to go to 100 Watts if I can fit it......

Since your needs aren't great the shading might not be a problem but for someone who needs all that the panel can put out it is.....

I've just added another 360 watts of solar to the Mac over the 200 that was there off the stern.

It will probably only be used for its intended purpose of powering an electric trolling motor when I'm not sailing and the boom can be pulled out of the way to reduce shading otherwise it will just keep the 24 volt bank charged up. The outer two panels can be switched to either the 12 volt house bank or the 24 volt trolling motor bank and they shouldn't be shaded too much where they are behind the boom.

The inner panels basically are replacing the Bimini but can be flolded out under the outer ones or down for the times I don't want anything overhead. More here...

http://1fatgmc.com/boat/mac-1/mac-outside/Trolling-Motor/page-1.html

Sumner

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[Bad Obsession]

Good Grief Sumner....that is a lot of solar. That is more than a lot of solar for a smaller boat.

Why try to run an electric motor on the boat? You already have a good outboard motor.

Isn't that a lot of weight aloft on the boat that will change the dynamics of how the boat sails too? Doesn't it get in the way of stepping the mast?

I was leaning towards flexible on the bimini because I could remove it from the bimini and fold the bimini down when I am not at the boat. I could get it out of the way quickly when I step the mast. It won't take up valuable real estate on my push pit in the back of the boat. It also won't get in the way as much and it is a cheaper way to mount this with less weight.

 

[Sumner]

Good Grief Sumner....that is a lot of solar. That is more than a lot of solar for a smaller boat.

Why try to run an electric motor on the boat? You already have a good outboard motor.

Isn't that a lot of weight aloft on the boat that will change the dynamics of how the boat sails too? Doesn't it get in the way of stepping the mast?

I was leaning towards flexible on the bimini because I could remove it from the bimini and fold the bimini down when I am not at the boat. I could get it out of the way quickly when I step the mast. It won't take up valuable real estate on my push pit in the back of the boat. It also won't get in the way as much and it is a cheaper way to mount this with less weight.

No for sure you don't need what I have . This is all just an experiment and no I'm not giving up the outboard. This is for special occasions that I talk about if you go to the mod link I posted ( http://1fatgmc.com/boat/mac-1/mac-outside/Trolling-Motor/page-1.html )

It has added about 130 lbs. of weight plus 2 more batteries below. Don't forget the purpose of my boat is only one and that is long time cruising without having to replenish more than every 3-4 weeks or longer if I want so my goals are about 180 degrees different than probably 95% of the sailors on this board.

Any of the 6 panels swing to any of the different positions in less than 30 seconds as they are all hinged and pinned.

For trailering or setup (stepping the mast) or maybe also on the water at time the panels will be hinged and pinned like above.

The flexible like you want to do might work well but like some of the others a simple....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/outside-22.html

...panel on the back like what we started with is out of the way and always working (on the water, trailer or at home) and a lot cheaper also ,

Sumner

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[Bad Obsession]

Sumner...Why didn't you just go to a wind generator in the set-up? It would give you a second power source that is less dependent on sun etc.

 

[Chief RA]

A 10a controller MPPT type should be fine for a 100w panel. Chief

 

[Sumner]

Sumner...Why didn't you just go to a wind generator in the set-up? It would give you a second power source that is less dependent on sun etc.

I've looked at them and looked at them and feel they are the right option for some but not for me. The wind speeds have to be north of 10 mph before they really start putting out and that just isn't the case so far for most of the conditions I've been in.

Like I said they are a good 2nd option for some so I'm not knocking them. Running for as long as I have on solar with the Mac I have some good data there as a reference point for future needs.

We started with the 40 watt panel and it did ok but didn't have fridge then. Places we were going it was/is tuff finding ice and then you have to adapt your trip (if you are on one) to filling the ice chest and we didn't like that restriction so bought the fridge....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/inside-22.html

....and love it but you need I feel at least 150-200 watts for a portable fridge that size depending on your other needs if you can't get in to replenish the batteries in a marina or in our case with the 12 volt gen-set I made for the boat. Of interest is the fridge I made for the Endeavour is 50% larger than the portable in the Mac and has a small freezer compartment but uses about 2/3's the electricity of the portable since it has a lot, lot more insulation.

Sorry for getting off track here but still feel in the long run you would be happier with a 40-60 watt on the back of the boat. Install it and forget it and it will always be putting out but only you know how you really use your boat and I have sympathy for that as people constantly can't see why I'm doing what I am because their needs are so different than mine ,

Sumner

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Sumner

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[just lucky]

Sumner, looks like nice work but my goodness man its a sail boat! You got yourself
"one of them there floaten solar farms" and way more idle time time than one man can safely endure.

 

[Chris & Lenore]

FWIW, I have a 60 watt panel that's only, 13 x 32 inches and has a wide "sun angle" (no need to tilt it).
I have never needed to plug into shore power and charge - and we often sail for a week at a time. All lights are LED and under sail we run a VHF with AIS, Standard Horizon chart plotter and a multi- function depth/speed/temp. My daughter often watches DVD's too.
We run a single 120 amp/hr battery which saves the hassle of switching and selectively discharging/charging - which at some point you will ultimately forget to do and discharge a battery below 50% (and shorten its life). We have never, ever run out of power...

Simple has never let us down....

Food for thought...

Chris

 

[Sumner]

Sumner, looks like nice work but my goodness man its a sail boat! ....

In my case it is a 'jeep' on water that takes me to remote places and has sails that help at times . I don't really expect anyone else to like it ,

Sumner

 

[Kestle]

In my case it is a 'jeep' on water that takes me to remote places and has sails that help at times . I don't really expect anyone else to like it , Sumner

Respectfully, Obbie Wan, isn't that going to impact your windage? It seems like it would be a handful in a squall.

Jeff

 

[Sumner]

Respectfully, Obbie Wan, isn't that going to impact your windage? It seems like it would be a handful in a squall.

Jeff

They basically just replace the bimini and we never had any problems from the back ones in lots of days on the water in all kinds of conditions.

The outboard ones also can fold over the inner ones (shown above) and that is where they would be in bad conditions or docking or other times they weren't needed.

The other day here with the boat on the trailer and the mast up we had sustained 30 mph winds with gusts over 50 and I didn't see any problem.

I think we should get back to the OP's questions , I'll be glad to answer any questions on a new thread or PM ,

Sumner

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