Solar Panel mounting project

[0627Devildog]

Where I keep the boat shore power is a challenge. Before I purchased the boat, I had the solar panel I planned on mounting to it. Historically, I have lashed the solar panel to the tower. However, this needed to be removed in order to put the bimini up.

All of this lead me to this project, which I expect to have wrapped up in the next few days.

First up, the wakeboard racks.


Then the mock up


On to assemble the final cuts



Had to make a run to the store for paint. . . . . More to come.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Sweet! Does it point SW?

 

[0627Devildog]

Sweet! Does it point SW?

Good guess.

This is the old girl docked at her permanent home. . . .mount is going on the port side which points SxSW

 

[0627Devildog]

After primer and the first coat of paint. . . . .

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Smells good!

 

[Trevor Shipman]

I did the same thing, don't have a pic but instead of it sitting on it like a wakeboard mine has 2 2.5" pvc poles that go over the forks. It worked out well, doesn't take much space only about 3" tall (if it's laying flat of course)

Nice work.

 

[0627Devildog]

I did the same thing, don't have a pic but instead of it sitting on it like a wakeboard mine has 2 2.5" pvc poles that go over the forks. It worked out well, doesn't take much space only about 3" tall (if it's laying flat of course)

Nice work.

Thanks. . . .when you get a chance post a few pics. I am interested to see it. I went this route specifically to get maximum sun exposure at rest. However, I like the PVC idea for max durability. This is wood, and even though painted, it won't last as long as PVC with Sun/weather exposure.

 

[0627Devildog]

Wakeboard racks installed.
Wakesurfing racks on the other side
Now I just need to wait for the final coat of paint to dry. . .

 

[0627Devildog]

Final Coat is dry to the touch

 

[0627Devildog]

All installed. . . . . And getting good sun.

little closer shot

inside from the back seat


View from the front

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I am so jealous of you guys that get to live on the water!

 

[0627Devildog]

Funny how the grass is always greener. . . . . Here I am, jealous of all you guys NOT in The Peoples Republic of NY.

 

[Trevor Shipman]

Finally got some pics, didn't turn out the best but you get the idea. I'm sure I'm sacrificing some charging depending on the time of the day with the shadow from the rack. It's not as nice of a set up as @067devdog's but the nice thing about it is it's easy to store away as its pretty compact.

 

[0627Devildog]

@latitudeadjuster - This is where your panels are going. Now that the mock up has lasted 2.5 solid seasons I will be using them to upgrade this system.

 

[latitudeadjuster]

@latitudeadjuster - This is where your panels are going. Now that the mock up has lasted 2.5 solid seasons I will be using them to upgrade this system.

That's awesome!!

 

[fiendi5h]

Looks like a good idea.

How/where are you guys running the wires? Direct connection to the battery?

Tom

 

[0627Devildog]

I am currently running the wires directly through the battery. . . . It is tethered along the tower and tucks in under the seat. This was a temporary-ish proof of concept set up originally. Now that I confirmed how well it works I will be adding new panels, and making some mounting mods, then I'll likely route the cable through the tower and into the hull directly connecting to the batteries after my Blue-Seas Add a battery kit is installed.

 

[Julian]

Just a thought....perhaps not feasible depending on your dock configuration....but couldn't you mount a post on our dock and attach the panels to it, and just connect the boat with a wire to the panels....just like you would with a shore power connection? Or did you set it up this way so you'd always have it with you on other lakes?

 

[0627Devildog]

Just a thought....perhaps not feasible depending on your dock configuration....but couldn't you mount a post on our dock and attach the panels to it, and just connect the boat with a wire to the panels....just like you would with a shore power connection? Or did you set it up this way so you'd always have it with you on other lakes?

I sure could set it up that way, but you basically hit the nail on the head with the last sentence. . . . Though I don't leave my home lake often, I do like it attached to the boat (apparently mother yamaha agrees) for other waterways, or when it sits on a trailer, etc. . . she is alway being topped off.

 

[0627Devildog]

After a few seasons with this (as expected) the wood I used started to breakdown due to exposure to the elements. My plan was always to make a more permanent mounts out of aluminum and this forced me to finally do it. I basically used U-channel and angled aluminum to make the frame the new panel would sit on. To accomplish the proper mounting angle it was much easier to turn the board rack over 180°. I will still be able to use the bottom mount in this configuration which should be fine considering I don't even own a wakeboard at this time. Will post more once I get it all wired up.