Wednesday, July 5, 2023

New Solar Panels on the stern rails- July 2023

Two Solar panels will be wired in through an existing deck hole already made for the GPS antenna, though we may need to make the hole a little bigger. We'll seal it well first of course.

We hung them on old bimini piping given us (that seemed brand new). Cut and fitted the front ends into existing stansion holders and the aft to a mid-pipe fitting "end".

They can slide forward or back on the rail if needed. We'll find or make adjustable support bars to angle them up and out. Seems every sailboat that has solar panels has likely had to fashion their own, as there are no standard support arms made. Hatch arms will work, but they most hatches are only made so big, so they are not long enough for our needs.


We want them to be adjusted in a hurry and it's my idea to add reflectors to the front and back edges to remind us and others they are there

Lotsa "stuff" back here now, and adding "windage" at that!  : ) We'll have to work as a team when visibility is needed. The panels will be up most of the time, when we are not at a dock anyway.

Dave already installed the controller and wiring over the winter.

1 comment:

  1. Looks like a lot of work has gone into this project! I’m so excited to see all of the progress

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