Flexible solar panels

[Capitan Blood]

I bought a 50 W flexible solar panel for my Bristol 24, with the idea being it´s small enough that it won´t blow up my batteries, and hopefully keep them topped up assuming little drain from me and some charging from motoring.

Now I have to mount it, and figure the best place is just forward of the companionway hatch ( or on top of it as plan B ).

Not wanting to perforate my cabin roof if possible, I´m thinking of just glueing it to the hatch or the cabin roof, and leading the wires through a small passage between the hatch and the companionway itself, then down inside.

What say you ? Anybody done this ? What kind of stick-um is the best ? Will it work until winds of "X" knots hit it ? How much is X ?

 

[JohnShannon]

I would poke around Compass Marine or various Maine Sail posts, upshot is 50W is likely plenty to kill your batteries.

 

[JohnShannon]

If you trickle charge the batts, which is what an unregulated solar panel will eventually the current has to be under C/100 (check a battery spec) so 50W is about 5A implies no problem so long as you have 500AHr or bigger battery.

 

[Sailm8]

Use velcro so it isn't permanent. I have 2 100w on my bimini just tied on and have no problem. Need to be able to remove them for hurricanes.

 

[Skipper]

Use velcro so it isn't permanent. I have 2 100w on my bimini just tied on and have no problem. Need to be able to remove them for hurricanes.

I'm with sailm. Make it removable. Then you can stow it when not at the boat. Unless you don't have shorepower and need the panel all the time.
Forward of the companionway is a good spot it you don't stand there.
Top of dodger is better. Top of bimini is best.
And get a controller. 50w is plenty of juice, well beyond trickle, and it'll run at 17+ volts mid day. Bad for batts. Especially if you're doing it every day. They'll gas off and dry up. Then die.
Convert that power to amps at proper voltage with a controller, which will ease up on the batts when full.

 

[Maine Sail]

With a 50W panel, you'll need a controller. Once batteries become full the max float voltage should be in the 13.2V to 13.6V range or you are now over charging the batteries. A 50W panel is capable of voltages in excess of 18V and can daily push even a large bank over 15V+...

Do I Need a Solar Controller (LINK)

 

[Capitan Blood]

Thanks, all

I neglected to mention that I have a solar charge controller for the panel, so yes, I´ll be installing both.

And I guess I´ll use Velcro for the mounting, so I can remove it over the winter or when storms come along.

Thanks again

 

[CharlzO]

That's exactly what I had done for my brother's O'day 23 - a 50 watt flexible, that I used 3m double-sided tape to adhere it to the companionway hatch top, and just let the wires loop down underneath between it and the companionway boards. I left enough slack that when the hatch is open, there's ample reach, but also with a piece of velcro around the wires to let it stay in place (there's already velcro in place for mosquito netting). It goes down to a small controller and cheapo voltage monitor, to a new deep cycle battery. Worked wonderfully for the season, and never had any issues with weather or adhesion.