[C320-list] All I want for Christmas

[Scott Thompson]

There are lots of options if you have davits and don't mind a permanent 
frame sticking out the back of the boat. But we use the swim platform a 
lot, always tow the dinghy or leave it at home, sometimes fish while 
sailing, and we don't really want all of that hardware back there. I've 
often thought that some panels on the back edge of the Bimini (out of 
reach of the boom!) would be a better option for our usage. I'm mostly 
looking for some way to keep the batteries topped off while I'm away 
from the boat, since Surprise spends most of the sailing season on a 
mooring.

For this reason, I'm very interested in pictures/plans for an 
installation that puts the panels on top of the Bimini. I've thought 
about using a relatively low power, flexible panel that could be 
attached somehow to the fabric, but haven't ever gotten beyond thinking 
about the possibility.

Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653

On 12/2/2014 6:43 PM, JJ Morrison wrote:
> I installed a Schuco 185W panel this past spring with a Blue Sky 2512iX controller. I have a reefer and never plugged in once to shore power this past summer. The panel is mounted on the Garhauer davits and fits great. I used the Gemini split jaw clamps to mount the panel onto the 1" ss tubes. Makes a very nice job and quite inexpensive. Biggest problem I had was in deciding where to mount the controller as the specs call for it to be mounted close to the batteries. Eventually decided on the bulkhead under the salon table but it's tite.
> CheersJohnM1999#574
>
>> From: saltyvet at mindspring.com
>> Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2014 18:24:36 -0500
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] All I want for Christmas
>>
>> Yes please post on 320 site
>>
>> Art Freedman
>>
>> On Dec 2, 2014, at 5:43 PM, Caryl <carylhunt at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> We installed a 130 panel on our Bimini this past summer.  Should have done it years ago!
>> Will write it up with pictures first of the year if there is an interest.
>>
>> Caryl & Harvey Hunt
>> #818
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>>> On Dec 2, 2014, at 8:37 AM, Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> If you figure out how to do this please let us know!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Dec 1, 2014, at 9:46 PM, Trudi Devine <trudid99 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> ...is two large solar panels installed on my Bimini.  They will make me completely self contained at a mooring on Catalina Island.
>>>> Puleeze Santa, I've been good...mostly.
>>>> Trudi D
>>>> Holokai 2 Hull 112
>>>> Marina del Rey, CA
>> Arthur Freedman, DVM
>> Hawthorne Animal Health Care
>> 978-741-2300
>> saltyvet at mindspring.com
>>
>>
>>
>