[C320-list] Solar Panel On Dodger?

[Allan Field]

A few of the YouTube folks have figured out how to tilt the solar panels
into the sun. For example, see Uma and Beau & Brandy. But these are done
with rigid, stainless steel frames on some kind of hinges.

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - C387, #103
Columbia, MD

On Tue, Dec 19, 2023 at 4:15 PM Jack Brennan via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> The most important factors when installing solar panels are shade and
> angle.
>
> With even partial shade, the output of the panels will be significantly
> reduced. So you need to make sure they’re not sitting under the boom or
> constantly blocked by the mainsail.
>
> Ideally, you would tilt your panels to catch the most direct sunlight.
> That’s not going to happen on a boat, though. So the best strategy is to
> keep them flat.
>
> I used one-inch rail fittings and ss rail from Defender to build myself a
> frame that rests just behind the backstays and is supported by the stern
> rail. I mounted two 160-watt Renogy rigid solar panels there, with the
> cable wrapped around a backstay and routed through one of the Dorades on
> the stern.
>
> I didn’t have much luck with flexible panels. They didn’t last more than a
> couple of seasons, mostly due to crappy wiring at the junction boxes at the
> end of the panels. Rigid panels are put together much more solidly.
>
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows
>
>
>