We have a 37.5 with a factory installed solar panel that has long ago bitten the dust. We're thinking of installing a much larger Siemens hard panel on top of the dodger. Has anyone done a project like this?
- Status
Check out the flexible ones...
I put a Unisolar 32 flexible panel on top of the bimini on my 340. It's thin, light, and practically indestructable. The Siemens hard panels do put out more power under ideal circumstances but are also more affected by partial shadow which is a reality when mounted on a boat. I know some people that slip a couple of the 32 watt flexible panels under the v-berth matress and then bring them out and lay on the deck when anchored. Good Luck!
I put a Unisolar 32 flexible panel on top of the bimini on my 340. It's thin, light, and practically indestructable. The Siemens hard panels do put out more power under ideal circumstances but are also more affected by partial shadow which is a reality when mounted on a boat. I know some people that slip a couple of the 32 watt flexible panels under the v-berth matress and then bring them out and lay on the deck when anchored. Good Luck!
Both
I have the large flex panels. Three of them. They go on top of the bimini when I'm on a mooring and feed the house bank through a three-stage solar regulator joining the built-in panel as well. What I would do is to replace the built-in unit since it generates a fair amount of power, re-routing the output to the house batteries and add a flex panel as well. Easy to spend your money, of course. Check Solar Electric in San Diego. See below for a link. Rick D.
I have the large flex panels. Three of them. They go on top of the bimini when I'm on a mooring and feed the house bank through a three-stage solar regulator joining the built-in panel as well. What I would do is to replace the built-in unit since it generates a fair amount of power, re-routing the output to the house batteries and add a flex panel as well. Easy to spend your money, of course. Check Solar Electric in San Diego. See below for a link. Rick D.
Pull cover and check wires
Pull the halyard cover and check the wires. The hatch tends to rub the wires and cut them due to a design problem. There is little to go wrong with solar panels. Our 1999 380 that we purchased last May had that problem. We spliced in new wires and made sure they were out of the way of the sliding hatch and it works fine. Good luck.
Pull the halyard cover and check the wires. The hatch tends to rub the wires and cut them due to a design problem. There is little to go wrong with solar panels. Our 1999 380 that we purchased last May had that problem. We spliced in new wires and made sure they were out of the way of the sliding hatch and it works fine. Good luck.
There's PLENTY to go wrong with solar panels...
...if they're flexible. Almost all alternate energy company websites state clearly up front that the flexible panels, due to their construction methods, have a limited life expectancy of a few years. Unisolar, the maker of the solar panels put into the 375 has reduced their warranty period from previous levels. By the way, Unisolar's current flexible panel is a different size, and will not fit into the 375's deck fitting.
...if they're flexible. Almost all alternate energy company websites state clearly up front that the flexible panels, due to their construction methods, have a limited life expectancy of a few years. Unisolar, the maker of the solar panels put into the 375 has reduced their warranty period from previous levels. By the way, Unisolar's current flexible panel is a different size, and will not fit into the 375's deck fitting.
My flexible panels are fine
They get stepped on and moved around frequently but they are still fine. They are the best choice if you are not going to permanently mount them on a bracket well off the transom.
They get stepped on and moved around frequently but they are still fine. They are the best choice if you are not going to permanently mount them on a bracket well off the transom.
- Status