Hunter 33: I need a suggestions for wiring the solar panel via the metal arch into the boat to the battery compartment. I'm sure many have done this...
Thank you
Thank you
Flexible solar panel on Bimini wiring suggestions
- Thread starter HME604
- Start date
You may want to try searching on arch+wiring. Here is one that discusses a MH37 which may give you a start and there are also several links in the thread that you may want to have a look at. The key for me was perseverance.
Bimini mount solar panel install advice
Bimini mount solar panel install advice
You can go through the bimini tubing. Chafe is a concern when the wiring enters and exits. Neatly zip tying the cables to the tubing can look better than expected. Some sort of sheath for the wiring helps make it look better and protect it from UV
I have two flexible solar panels atop the bimini of our Hunter 41AC. I just ran the cable down the outside of the arch (held in place with velcro cable ties) to the stern where I mounted a solar gland to route the cable into the swim platform lazarette. I bought the gland on Amazon and it looks as pictured in the photo. This setup makes it easy to detach the cables and remove the panels when necessary.
I had to remove my bimini this week to throughly clean it from a very active group of birds. So I had the opportunity to photograph what I did to lay the panel up there.
I mount my old 20 watt rigid panel on the front section of our bimini and run the cable down along the stainless steel arch using velcro ties as dkinzer suggested. It’s a neat clean look and not noticeable, at least no one has ever asked about the cable and what is it for.
I had a vinyl piece sewn onto the canvas and lay the panel on that rather than just laying it on the canvas. This takes the wear from the constant movement away from the canvas a rigid panel can cause and has avoided any holes being made in it. New flexible panels are more forgiving but will still cause wear on canvas.
I can use zip ties to hold it in place as the arch has predrilled holes already in it to feed them through. This keeps it from flopping around in the wind.
I have to replace our solar panel this winter. It’s old and losing its solar ability.
At the time, (years ago) the choices of flexible panels really weren’t as available as they are today. But now they are better and much more efficient. I like the gland dkinzer has installed and may get one for our boat. Much more efficient.
We have a few interested parties in purchasing our boat. If that happens I will put that module on our next boat.
Here is a photo of the vinyl piece we have.
I mount my old 20 watt rigid panel on the front section of our bimini and run the cable down along the stainless steel arch using velcro ties as dkinzer suggested. It’s a neat clean look and not noticeable, at least no one has ever asked about the cable and what is it for.
I had a vinyl piece sewn onto the canvas and lay the panel on that rather than just laying it on the canvas. This takes the wear from the constant movement away from the canvas a rigid panel can cause and has avoided any holes being made in it. New flexible panels are more forgiving but will still cause wear on canvas.
I can use zip ties to hold it in place as the arch has predrilled holes already in it to feed them through. This keeps it from flopping around in the wind.
I have to replace our solar panel this winter. It’s old and losing its solar ability.
At the time, (years ago) the choices of flexible panels really weren’t as available as they are today. But now they are better and much more efficient. I like the gland dkinzer has installed and may get one for our boat. Much more efficient.
We have a few interested parties in purchasing our boat. If that happens I will put that module on our next boat.
Here is a photo of the vinyl piece we have.
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