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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Solar Panel Mount

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/17/2007 : 19:08:35

I'd been thinking of a way to mount my solar panel so its out of the way. I came up with a design, searched and ordered the parts I would need, most of them coming off e-bay. This week all the parts came in and I spent the day building and installing my new Solar Panel mount. Here's the results.

I added a [url="http://www.bellsouthpwp2.net/t/o/tompotter/my%20web/page14.html"]page on my site[/url] that goes into a little more detail and a couple more pictures. If anyone is interested.

1997 250 TR WK (sold)
1984 O'Day 28 (sold)
1979 SISU 22
Bath, NC.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2007 : 20:11:27

That's really cool Tom. Does it swing up enough to allow you to use the swim ladder?

Which panel did you get?
Paul.

Edited by - britinusa on 03/17/2007 20:12:36

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2007 : 20:16:38

Looks great Tom.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2007 : 21:05:39

Tom, Great Job. I wanted to do same to Piseas II. Great idea.
Thanks for sharing. Love this forum.

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2007 : 21:31:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 That's really cool Tom. Does it swing up enough to allow you to use the swim ladder?

Which panel did you get?
Paul.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Actually Paul, its not in the way of the swim ladder even when its down like you see in the picture.

I picked up the solar panel at [url="http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200263174_200263174"]Northern Tools for $78[/url] Its a 15W panel.

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2007 : 22:05:20

The pic vanished!
... it's back (that was an internet weirdo thing)
Paul

Edited by - britinusa on 03/17/2007 22:10:29

AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2007 : 00:56:36

Tom, due to the light weight of the panel, couldn't it be rigged with PVC pipe? Anyone: what's the best solar panel for just trickle charging? Boater's World has a 5 watter for 80 bucks. Is that adequate to maintain my Group 24 gel battery? Only draw on the battery is starting my outboard, occasional use of my fishfinder, seldom used running lights, and interior LED cabin lights on multi-day trips.

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britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2007 : 06:41:41

Frank, you had me grinning there. I thought you might have suggested brass tubing (brass/copper/diving thing). Not sure that pvc piping would last too long in the sun and would quickly bend in any heat even with a small weight on the end of the beams.

On our last sail we started to get to grips with our onboard mast lowering/raising project, we (I) left the aft mast support crutch in place. Turned out not to impact anything. Now I'm looking at installing a more solidly built support crutch that has additional function (no, not the million dollar steel archway) and that would include a solar panel. But I really like Toms solution, it looks good, seems very practical, not expensive (the tubing can be found at marine flea-markets) and does not permanently scar the boat.

Paul

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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2007 : 11:10:21

Agree about PVC.
Just ordered a Sunforce 50022 5 Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger from Amazon.com for $47.99, free shipping. It gets good reviews for maintaining a Group 24 marine battery. Question: since my Tohatsu 9.8 o.b. charges when its running, will I need to disconnect the Sunforce or can it stay connected while the o.b. charger charges?
Thanks.

Edited by - AADIVER on 03/18/2007 20:05:33

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2007 : 18:44:43

I like your mount, nice job! On our boat, though, it would interfere with the gas grill off the back rail. Has anyone tried using the extra set of gudgeons used by the transom mast raising/support pole? I am thinking of creating a similar pole that would fit on those gudgeons and that could, in turn, be used to mount a solar panel. The result would be simple and easily removed. Make sense??

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