1st idea for solar panel mount

[Lostsailor13]

200w monocrystillne mounted to 1in handrail with 4pcs 1in stainless split collars with 90° of swing,will also double as awning type shade thingy, maybe add stay cable if it works out do port side,still looking at mppt controller,have batteries picked out

[rsn48]

Will the solar panels when flared out inhibit your access to the bow in an emergency?

[FlyWright]

I'd also be concerned about shading the panels.

[psneeld]

Here was my solution for 2 panels, the other 2 are not mounted and moved around the boat to get the best sun angle. The ones on the side of the flybridge have 45 degree and 90 degree supports.

[Lostsailor13]

I'm usually pretty good at this kinda stuff but am having a rough time,where woud you guys with panels already suggest

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by Lostsailor13

I'm usually pretty good at this kinda stuff but am having a rough time,where woud you guys with panels already suggest

I think your suggestion is plausible, but I would have to measure and walk it so to speak to be sure.

[Jeff F]

Looks like it could work reasonably well.

There was brief discussion in a recent thread about using multiple controllers. I think there might be a good case for having port and starboard MPPT units sized to the panel(s) on each side to accommodate the difference in shading and orientation. Maybe others can comment on this.

I love the look of the W36.

[koliver]

Your low location will be shaded by the fairing above 1/2 of the time. Any supports installed below the panels will be in the way.
Move them up to the upper rail and you eliminate both those problems. See post #3.

[Marco Flamingo]

Is the panel attached to the handhold? I'd prefer to stay onboard even if the batteries are low.

[C lectric]

Originally Posted by koliver

Your low location will be shaded by the fairing above 1/2 of the time. Any supports installed below the panels will be in the way.
Move them up to the upper rail and you eliminate both those problems. See post #3.

Did you mean post #4 where the panels are attached to the uppermost rail?

[koliver]

Originally Posted by C lectric

Did you mean post #4 where the panels are attached to the uppermost rail?

Exactly. That is where mine are. They still get a little shade from the bimini and the radar, but they are away from the lower fairing shade. They are supported from below, by a post attached above the handrail and angled out and up, which wouldn't be possible if they were attached at the handrail.

[Lostsailor13]

Could I see a photo or 2 of them up and down please

[C lectric]

We have a friend who attached his panels to the upper most rail on the bridge.
He cheated by installing a piece of square aluminum tube arranged forward and aft between his radar post and a a bow at the aft end of the bridge which was installed by the P.O.
On the tube he installed 4 camcleats, one for each panel with a line to pull and hold the panel. Now as long as the boat is oriented N-S he can angle the panels to face the sun as the position changes.

To get them to tilt initially he must manually start the tilt but afterwards it is just adjust the lines.

If the boat is anchored or oriented in an unfavourable manner for the tilting then he just pulls them up to flat.

Works for him and quite well.

[Xlantic]

You could also design and build a hard-top and incorporate a panel or two in it.

More expensive but you may value the hard-top over the Bimini.

[koliver]

Originally Posted by Lostsailor13

Could I see a photo or 2 of them up and down please

here, at #10:
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/...tem-44588.html

[Lostsailor13]

I had a nice bimini that came with the boat,it took away from the lines I thought so I threw it in the dumpster,maybe a nice low profile frame might work if I could get it to match the lines

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Lostsailor13

I had a nice bimini that came with the boat,it took away from the lines I thought so I threw it in the dumpster,maybe a nice low profile frame might work if I could get it to match the lines

That sounds worth pursuing. I personally mounted my two solar panels flat on my pulpit. I will send pics later. For me the panels work better flat and far away from any shadows. The idea of having to adjust them to the sun was not appealing. I can see a sailboat which has to tack and does not usually run an engine underway having panels on both sides that are adjustable.

Bud

[psneeld]

No panel works best flat unless you are on or near the equator....and even then for only for part of the day.


They make expensive sun tracking mounts for a reason.


But every mounting location/boat can be different and that's why I have to adjustable and 2 portable. Not as convenient as permanently mounted ones, but I have seen high output on panels due to being adjustable when flat mounted have all but shutdown...more than makes up for shading at other times.

[mvweebles]

You will have significant shading issues and your foredeck will be inaccessible. Why not move panels up to top tail as koliver suggested? May need some minor modification, but not much. Could even use them underway. You will definitely want separate MPPT controllers to avoid shading on one affecting the other

BTW - yours is the first W36 I've seen without a round porthole aft of the side windows. Is there any evidence it was removed? Or do you think the original owner had it built that way?

Peter

[Xlantic]

I once considered mounting a panel or two on the boom, in a way that would be easy to mount and dismount.

Adjustment to the sun could be done by twisting the panels along the axis of the boom and by swinging the boom itself to one side or the other or raising or lowering..