Solar Panel Mounts?

[csd0606]

We are planning to mount solar panels on our H26. I have done lots of reading on what we need, what type, etc although no decisions have been made since we are new to sailing. One question that I need answered is where to get mounts made that can go over the bimini? I would like to be able to close the bimini also. Do you get someone to weld what you want? I have seen some mounts to purchase online but not really what we are looking for & the are very overpriced.

Thanks for any info & love all the information I am getting just from reading everyone's posts. I have so many questions but feel like some are so silly since we have everything to learn at this point. You guys are so good with not ever making newbies feel dumb! We need that...

Cathy

 

[Tim R.]

Cathy, ours are custom made. They are split in the middle with a cable holding the sides together. This allows for dis-assembly if needed. All mounting points of the frame are on the pushpit.

Try to ignore the motor lift and boat hook int eh photo. The diagonal is part of the panel frame.

 

[csd0606]

Tim...who do you get to custom make? What/who would I look up? I researched welders in our area since I assumed that is who I would get and we want it stainless since the bimini is stainless.

 

[Maine Sail]

For mounting over a bimini it is best to decide to either leave the system/bimini up or to mount the panel elsewhere. They can be tedious to mount, install, remove etc... Gemini has some of the best products for bimini mounting but the canvas will often need to get modified. If you need custom bends etc. then a canvas shop will need to get involved.

http://www.geminicanvas.com/slidingmounts.htm

http://geminiproducts.net/gemini-solar-mounts/

There is also the Solbian ultra thin panel option but the panels cost more and you'll be looking at additional canvas work in the neighborhood of $150.00 - $300.00.

This is a Solbian CP-125W panel..

 

[tricyclerob]

Cathy,

I found custom made brackets pretty pricey. Although it might not apply to what you are looking for, the construction method might.

I made a stern rail with a bracket for a solar panel using standard bimini fittins and thick wall, polished stainless tubing. The fittings have set screws on one side of each fitting to hold them together, which to me are not strong enough for permanent fitting, but are good for holding things in place. I later used 1/4 x 20 bolts to hold things together during construction instead of the set screws just as they were easier to tighten and loosen multiple times.

I used the set screws to hold the rail and bracket together while measuring and fitting. You can make the bracket, then remove it and take it complete to a your local welder to have the fittings welded to the pipe.
This would be much less expensive, and mostly DIY, compared to having someone come to your boat and make a custom bracket.

As I have a mig welder, but am not quite skillful enough to make pretty welds around the circumference of each fitting followed a slightly different process.

I drilled 3/8 holes in the fittings on the opposite side of the set screws, as well as some on top and bottom, assembled everything with the set screws, then plug weld all the holes.

I then removed the set screws, drilled that hole out, and plug welded that as well.

It was pretty labor intensive to grind/sand each weld, then polish with 3 different grades of compound but turned out pretty well.

If this is unappealing, the DIY assembly and welding locally should still save quite a bit of money.

robj

P.S. I paid $14-$16 and more for "name brand" fittings thinking they were made in the USA, and found others for $9-$10. One was made in Tiawan, the other in China. What the heck? The parts were identical as far as I could tell.

 

[tricyclerob]

P.P.S.

Shot of the completed bracket and panel.
rj

 

[Tim R.]

Tim...who do you get to custom make? What/who would I look up? I researched welders in our area since I assumed that is who I would get and we want it stainless since the bimini is stainless.

Cathy, it was done by the previous owner so I cannot tell you exactly who made it. Canvas shops should be able to help you but may not have the engineering expertise. You may want to search for Marine fabrication in your area. We have a couple in Maine that are very good and reasonably priced but you will want someone local.

If I had to replace my system, I would go with the Solbian setup that Maine Sail has done for his clients.

 

[csd0606]

Cathy, it was done by the previous owner so I cannot tell you exactly who made it. Canvas shops should be able to help you but may not have the engineering expertise. You may want to search for Marine fabrication in your area. We have a couple in Maine that are very good and reasonably priced but you will want someone local.

If I had to replace my system, I would go with the Solbian setup that Maine Sail has done for his clients.

I looked up Solbain and those panels are great. Will be showing my hubby tonight b/c this eliminates the weight issue as well. Thanks.

 

[Tim R.]

I looked up Solbain and those panels are great. Will be showing my hubby tonight b/c this eliminates the weight issue as well. Thanks.

Cathy, if you need more information, definitely contact Maine Sail. I have seen his work and it is beyond satisfactory. He is also very knowledgeable about all things marina electrical.

 

[capta]

I mounted our solar panels directly to the Bimini frame and it has worked very well, but it does preclude easy Bimini removal. When it is time to replace the Bimini, I will have arched bars made to attach the panels to that run slightly above the Bimini.

 

[med2463]

Tim...who do you get to custom make? What/who would I look up? I researched welders in our area since I assumed that is who I would get and we want it stainless since the bimini is stainless.

We bought our stainless tubing and hardware from Sailrite.com My husband made a mockup of the tubing that he wanted bent out of plastic pipe from Home Depot. He took the mockup to a fabricator who bent the tubing. Just Google fabricators for your area.

 

[sesmith]

I also made my own mounts using 7/8" thick walled stainless, bending it with a conduit bender. I used Gemini mounts to attach it to my boat's hand rails. 4 screws and a coach roof electrical plug remove the 75 watt panel for mast raising and trailering.

The location under the boom isn't ideal, from a shading perspective. In reality, it does fine. Between normal use of the boat's diesel motor (which doesn't get much use) and the solar panel, our 2 batteries stayed up fine over a recent 2 week cruise (always back up to full charge during the day). We don't have a shore power hookup.

Part of the trick is keeping electrical use low. I have LED lighting in the cabin and an LED mast light. We also don't have refrigeration.

 

[seadaddler]

stainless fram

I used local guy for stainless tubing and Marine Parts Depot for all the connectors for making the frame to hold panels over bimini.
Nick

 

[sea_casper]

See my Post on my installation, even though I used my arch for the forward mounts, I did break down the costs and components used, also pictures, it should help you.