I am going to install a flexible USF-32 Solar Panel on top of my bimini and am looking for some ways other people have done it. I’m thinking a combination of Velcro and line. Any suggestions? John
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red coles
Fasteners
Hello John: I am going to do the same thing. My idea was to fasten twist locks on the bimini. The male part would screw into the bows, with tabs,and female parts on the panel as needed. I felt this would be more secure than velcro. Good luck red
Hello John: I am going to do the same thing. My idea was to fasten twist locks on the bimini. The male part would screw into the bows, with tabs,and female parts on the panel as needed. I felt this would be more secure than velcro. Good luck red
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Kenneth Pfaff
Where do you put the Solar Panel
Are you just planning to lay the solar panel on top of the bimini or are you building a frame to connect to the Bimini frame. If you lay it on the Bimini, won't it rub on the fabric and wear it out?
Are you just planning to lay the solar panel on top of the bimini or are you building a frame to connect to the Bimini frame. If you lay it on the Bimini, won't it rub on the fabric and wear it out?
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Larry Mongeon
Kenneth Pfaff of Haverstraw, NY
Please contact me at otrnet1@xcelco.on.ca Regards Larry SV Knot Salty
Please contact me at otrnet1@xcelco.on.ca Regards Larry SV Knot Salty
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Kenneth Pfaff
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Miles
What I did...
Was to get a bunch of #10 machine bolts, some fender washers, and nyloc nuts. Then put the panel on the bimini and line it up the way you want it. With an awl of a small srewdriver poke a little hole through the sunbrella material right where the grommets on the panel are. Put the bolts through with a washer on each side, tighten the nuts, and you're done... It might be even better to reinforce the hole in the bimini but I haven't had any trouble at all, it's pretty tough stuff and the hole is small. Also the flexible panel is pretty light. The trick is to get the right length of bolts so they don't stick to far through the underside of the bimini. If I get a chance I'll shoot a digi-pic and post it to the photo forum. Have fun!
Was to get a bunch of #10 machine bolts, some fender washers, and nyloc nuts. Then put the panel on the bimini and line it up the way you want it. With an awl of a small srewdriver poke a little hole through the sunbrella material right where the grommets on the panel are. Put the bolts through with a washer on each side, tighten the nuts, and you're done... It might be even better to reinforce the hole in the bimini but I haven't had any trouble at all, it's pretty tough stuff and the hole is small. Also the flexible panel is pretty light. The trick is to get the right length of bolts so they don't stick to far through the underside of the bimini. If I get a chance I'll shoot a digi-pic and post it to the photo forum. Have fun!
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Don Evans
I Have Done What Miles Has Suggested
If you go to the O'Day photo forum, under the title "Watts This", I have a photo of 2 framed collectors mounted on the bimini. To reinforce the Sunbrella I installed small brass grometts to allow the bolt to pass through. I drilled through the wall of the bimini frame. My solar frames have a channel that accepts the head of a SS bolt, and these pass down under the bimini and frame and have nylon nuts to secure them. You could mount your flexi panels to a piece of plywood, or Starboard type plastic to accomplish the same thing, but it defeats the purpose of the flexi panel. You might as well buy cheaper, solid frame solar panels. If I was mounting Uni solar panels on mine I would still drill through the bimini and frame but use plastic ties to attach them at the 4 corners. Be sure to replace these a couple of times each season as the UV weakens them. Don
If you go to the O'Day photo forum, under the title "Watts This", I have a photo of 2 framed collectors mounted on the bimini. To reinforce the Sunbrella I installed small brass grometts to allow the bolt to pass through. I drilled through the wall of the bimini frame. My solar frames have a channel that accepts the head of a SS bolt, and these pass down under the bimini and frame and have nylon nuts to secure them. You could mount your flexi panels to a piece of plywood, or Starboard type plastic to accomplish the same thing, but it defeats the purpose of the flexi panel. You might as well buy cheaper, solid frame solar panels. If I was mounting Uni solar panels on mine I would still drill through the bimini and frame but use plastic ties to attach them at the 4 corners. Be sure to replace these a couple of times each season as the UV weakens them. Don
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Rodney Kidd
USF Makes Fasteners
All, USF makes fasteners designed to hold the panel securely to the bimini/dodger. They mount through the canvas, and are water tight. They are available at West Marine. Rodney Kidd C-38 #297, Flying Bear
All, USF makes fasteners designed to hold the panel securely to the bimini/dodger. They mount through the canvas, and are water tight. They are available at West Marine. Rodney Kidd C-38 #297, Flying Bear
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