Mounting solar panel on O'Day 222

[mcassidy]

Interested in hearing any advice on mounting a solar charging panel on a 222. I have a mounting bracket that I can use to attach it to one of the stern side rails.

I have read about attaching it to the top of the cabin.

Any recomendations from experience?

Selkie
O'Day 222

 

[OdayDave]

I mounted mine on the top of the main hatch and protected it with a plexiglass cover. It worked fine. I didn't drill holes in the hatch. Instead I attached the frame I built to the hatch with heavy duty velcro. See the link to my gallery below:

http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/album.php?albumid=2157&pictureid=13866

Dave
s/v Lagnaippe
O'Day 25

 

[Gaf]

You might take a look at Technodad's posts about a month or so ago. He has some excellent ideas and superior craftsmanship.

 

[Joe11688]

Dave,
That's a great idea. I never thought of that.
My friend Wayne mounted his on the cabin just to the right of the companionway slider. He had to drill holes in his cabin and mounted the panel on nylon spacers to allow an air space under it which keeps the panel from getting too hot. Wayne's boat is a Seaward 22 though.

This picture shows his swing out instrumentation but you can see the wire for the panel and part of the panel itself on the cabin top just over the swing out enclosure. This set up has worked out well for him through the years.

Joe