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I am wanting to mount several solar panels on my TH without putting them on the cabin top as they will get in the way of the ropes etc and I can't afford thousands for a stainless steel Xmas tree above the cockpit. I would like to see any photos of peoples brackets/stands/poles/whatever used to hold several solar panels.

Rod;

I have 2 x 20W panels mounted on the pushpit of my Compass 28. The panel support frame is made of Al angle, which is in turn supported by a long tee made of 7/8" SS tube which is fastened to the pushpit with Jubilee clips. I can tilt the panels to port or starboard when I'm aboard to get best output.

It does wobble around a bit, but has worked well on lumpy and bumpy PPB for a year now and is still sound. I doubt it would survive my next circumnavigation (I wish!) and will eventually fatigue and fail one of these years, but for now as a cheap DIY solution it is fine. In retrospect, I should have used 1" tubing for greater strength and longevity. I wouldn't want to load it up with any more panels.

I'll take some pix next time I'm aboard and post here.

Cheers, Graeme

I planned on the mounting to be temporary, but it has become permanent and we are happy with it. Used decking timber (2 uprights attached to pushpit horizontal bars with galvanised clamps screwed into the decking timber using gal screws (put plastic strips from a plastic bottle between the gal and stainless to prevent galvanic reaction). Screwed the horizontal pieces (2) into the vertical pieces and also used galvanised L-brackets. Used small bolts to hold the panel (40W) on top of the horizontal pieces. Been up almost 8 months and rock solid. Oiled the timber before fitting and a few times since.
The panel hangs over the stern and sits at the same level as the top horizontal rail of the pushpit.

Cheap as chips to make and did not take much time. One day will get a stainless or aluminium tall frame to hold panel up high (one day when all the other jobs on Night Cap are done).

P.S. Name should be on Night Cap soon (sticker being made up soon.....design has been finalised).


Cheers, John

Rod,

See also viewtopic.php?f=6&t=538&p=2642#p2642.

The set up on Tales has worked very well but it is only a small panel. It does however keep the battery topped up nicely. I also use a Sunguard SG4 Solar Controller (Whitworths $49.95) which has given an extra 1/2 volt or more which is a big boost.

Cheers,

Tom

The frame on Windchaser is constructed from bent ss pipe and various clamps. The only welds are on brackets that bolt to the transom and they are straight welds, not going around the pipe. As far as construction goes, I think it is relatively easy. But then, I didn't make it, came with the boat. While it wobbles a bit more than a fully welded frame, it does its job and seems strong enough.

Mine used to be a stick made out of some softwood with a varnish. It was a metre and a half tall with some aluminium angles connecting two panels to the top of the stick.




I ended up hating the look of this, so I took it down and cut it up and made a shorter timber clamp with an angled timber support that sits the panels at the same height, but outside the top of the pushpit.

Mounted on fibreglass sheet with nylon locking clamps to fit to pushpit rail. Line is to tie to rail should a clamp break.

Prototype A. 40W solar panel hinged onto wooden frame.

Prototype A. Hinged from front of bracket for easy removal and adjustment