Solar Panels

I am thinking of installing solar panels on my whitby. My consumption calculations show I would need 2 135 Watt panels.

The only place I can see to mount these would be on the aft quarter on both the port and starboard side. Currently there are lifeline that run from the aft part of the cockpit on the toerail to the sternpulpit. The lines cut through the shrouds for the mizzen.

I am wondering if anyone has done this before and if so how the panels were mounted.

Dale

Hi Dale,

We have two 100 watt panels mounted on our stanless tubing lifelines. The arrangement is strong and the panels are completely out of the way off the boat's quarters. When not in use, they can be swiveled to hang vertically from the lifeline. If you'd like more details, let me know.

Roy Belcher
S/V Serenade W-42 #45

Hi,

I concluded exactly the same.

I have them removable in case of very strong following waves.

The stanchions have large backing plates and are very strong.
I have seen 43 knots winds with them on. No problem.
They are Kyrocera 135 watts each with their own dedicated MPPT controller.
Sunsaver 20s.

Patrick and Lisa Gaia hull 332

Dale,

I do not see the three photos That I attached.

Please email me if you want more details or photos.

Patrick Cornelius patrickecornelius@comcast.net

Hi Folks,
On Natalie M I designed a stainless "gate" to hold a 125 watt panel. The gate holds the panel and swings out and pivots so that you can angle the panel any way you want.
I made six of them and ran them through an Outback regulator. I pull in 40 amps at 12 volts. Very nice.