Mounting Solar Panels On Guard Rails

Pagetslady said:
I have extended my push pit with 25 mm stainless tube to the next stanchion and hung two 60 w panels on it supported by gas filled struts i have done this on both sides I have also added one stanchion mid way to support the new 25 mm ss tube I will attempt to attach a picture.
Click to expand...

That looks neat, I'm not familiar with gas filled struts, clearly they are holding the panels up, I presume the can collapse to allow the panels to fold down? Can you link to a strut?

Also like you solution for holding the panels down.
 
When sailing - dinghy in the davits, solar panel in the dinghy.
When anchored and dinghy in the water - solar panel on the top of the bimini secured by shock cord from each corner hooked on bimini uprights. Almost never in shade.
When not in use it lives in the dinghy or down below in spare berth. Can't be damaged or nicked down there. :)
Somethings in life just get too complicated. :)
 
GaryCottam said:
That looks neat, I'm not familiar with gas filled struts, clearly they are holding the panels up, I presume the can collapse to allow the panels to fold down? Can you link to a strut?

Also like you solution for holding the panels down.
Click to expand...
Hi the gas struts are stainless from ( Gas Struts, Gas Springs, Tailgate Gas Struts, Boot Struts - Buy in UK ) they allow me to adjust anywhere from vertical to horizontal by means of a cord attached to the top of the strut down through a turning block and up through a jam cleat
 
Pagetslady said:
Hi the gas struts are stainless from ( Gas Struts, Gas Springs, Tailgate Gas Struts, Boot Struts - Buy in UK ) they allow me to adjust anywhere from vertical to horizontal by means of a cord attached to the top of the strut down through a turning block and up through a jam cleat
Click to expand...

Ta for the link!

That is cleverer that I initially though! So the struts do not need to be removed to lower the panel, you just use the cord to compress the strut further?

Did you use fixed force ort adjustable force struts?
 
GaryCottam said:
Ta for the link!

That is cleverer that I initially though! So the struts do not need to be removed to lower the panel, you just use the cord to compress the strut further?

Did you use fixed force ort adjustable force struts?
Click to expand...
I bought adjustable struts but be careful doing it dont let out too much, but they are very strong when they come. I have had one refilled due to not tightening up the grub screw tight enough be warned, they will refill for you £15 each plus postage.
Mike
 
Yesterday while clearing up the mess on board after launch ... I noted boat next to me - guy was hanging a reasonable solar array on his guardwires ... it was not so small ... but was a folding set. He just used fender clips - so within a minute - it was on and he just then plugged it in.

Look closely at aft end of his boat and you can see ...

PupDm9Jl.jpg
 
A friend mounted his to the guard wires. They flopped about in the wind.
I pursuaded him to buy 2 lengths of stainless tube to fit over the guard wire that fits just nicely between the stancions.
Much more rigid and easier to use saddles to clamp on securely
 
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