Mounting Solar Panels On Guard Rails

[Jokani]

Looking to semi-permanently mount a solar panel on a guard wire.

The best solution I have come up with is to use tow stainless saddle clamps, but these are fairly fiddly to get on and off with restricted access to the nut/bolt.

Is there a better option than saddle clamps, something that would make the panel easier to mount and remove?

 

[coopec]

I want to do something similar as my yacht is a ketch and I want to mount the panels over the transom. As far as I'm concerned something like this would be good but there are lots of alternatives.




ss pipe clamp | eBay

 

[Jokani]

Sorry coopec, I have edited my original post which said 'guard rail' I should have said 'guard wire'.

I would need to be able to fit the panel without removing the wire.

This is what I am planning at the moment:

 

[coopec]

Sorry coopec, I have edited my original post which said 'guard rail' I should have said 'guard wire'.

I would need to be able to fit the panel without removing the wire.

This is what I am planning at the moment:

View attachment 96506

If that is the case I think I'd be using a stanchion for additional support.

 

[dune16]

I have a similar plan but was going to use the bimini poles rather than guard wire and go with the magma rail clamps

 

[rogerthebodger]

You could also use a bull dog clamp

This could clamp better to the guard wire then a U clamp.

 

[mikegunn]

I have two panels, one either side towards the stern. I found some 25mm diameter hard plastic tube which I slid over the guard wires. Each panel is attached to its tube by four rubber sleeved “P” clips. The panels can be rotated out like wings and stayed with pvc waste pipe. I selected a size of panel which just clears the gunwhale when hanging vertically, so reasonably well protected. When propped in position it’s necessary to employ a restraining guy, otherwise a gust of wind may get underneath the panel and flip it inboard over the guard wire (don’t ask!).
Mike.

 

[PaulRainbow]

You could also use a bull dog clamp

This could clamp better to the guard wire then a U clamp.

The panels cannot be rigidly clamped, they need to swing up and down.

 

[andsarkit]

I have got a similar problem with limited deck space for solar panels. I am proposing the following solution:

The hook can be as deep as you like to avoid it jumping off and you can prop the bottom out to improve the angle. Al;so mount them on either side depending on the sun's location.

 

[rogerthebodger]

The panels cannot be rigidly clamped, they need to swing up and down.

So Paul whats you solution.

Yes if that what the OP wants. I don't recall the OP saying it must swing up and down just that he wishes to remove it easy. Using wing nuts on Bull dog clamps make it very easy to remove ad the wind nuts could be located on the top.

The bull dog clips can be tightened so that the panel can swing up and down without the slappy fit using conduit clips.

If the OP wishes to use the conduit clips I would recommend a split plastic bush inside to give a better fit around the wire og the safety lines.

In fact the best is to clamp rigidly to the stanchions with a horizontal hinge to allow the panel to swing up and down with an adjustable supports on each end.

A number of options.

Personally I would not mount solar panels on the wires safety lines. I would mount then my pushpit as I did before I built my taga/goal posts.

solar panel boat safety rail mounting - Google Search

Solar panel mounted on guard wires

Solar Panel Lifelines

Cushion clamps

cushion clamps - Google Search

 

[dune16]

How much weight would you be happy putting on the guard wires? My panels are 150w rigid weighing just under 10kg each, 1 on each side of the boat. Too much for the wires (and a prop to the tow rail holding them horizontal)?

 

[TC Tuckton]

I would rather discover a weakness in the guardrail with a 10kg panel than with a 95kg me...

 

[PaulRainbow]

So Paul whats you solution.

Yes if that what the OP wants. I don't recall the OP saying it must swing up and down just that he wishes to remove it easy. Using wing nuts on Bull dog clamps make it very easy to remove ad the wind nuts could be located on the top.

I doubt he'll when them stuck out the sides when he comes into the marina loch and he likely won't want to remove them for short stops. It's standard practice with guard wire panels to be able to drop them for such times or to be able to adjust them to get the best angle on the Sun.

Personally I would not mount solar panels on the wires safety lines. I would mount then my pushpit as I did before I built my taga/goal posts.

Personally, i'd mount them on my solar arch, but then i don't have davits and a dinghy on the back of a 26 foot boat, like the OP does. I guess that's why he needs to mount them on the guard wires.

 

[stu9000]

I've done this recently with two 115 watt panels.
Mounting on wire isnt going to work in my humble opinion.
Too wobbly. The panels are quite heavy but can catch the wind.
As a prototype solution I have used galvanised steel tubing. This isn't quite rigid enough either and the, gas strut pushes up when in the, down position. It's working well though.

I'm just trying to decide whether to buy fairly thick wall Ss tubing or go with an arch/Davvits solution.

Side mounting means less high up clutter. But a panel looked a bit vulnerable in the marina the other day as someones stanchion got very close.

Im happy for now but will go with the Davvits long term.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I doubt he'll when them stuck out the sides when he comes into the marina loch and he likely won't want to remove them for short stops. It's standard practice with guard wire panels to be able to drop them for such times or to be able to adjust them to get the best angle on the Sun.



Personally, i'd mount them on my solar arch, but then i don't have davits and a dinghy on the back of a 26 foot boat, like the OP does. I guess that's why he needs to mount them on the guard wires.

Well on the OP's case having davits I would mount on top of the davits or on an extension of the davits.

My targa also act as davits when I wish to lift anything at the stern of my boat including outboard motor ot MOB.

So I don't understand the issue unless it just to argue with me.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Well on the OP's case having davits I would mount on top of the davits or on an extension of the davits.

My targa also act as davits when I wish to lift anything at the stern of my boat including outboard motor ot MOB.

So I don't understand the issue unless it just to argue with me.

There is no "issue", i'm giving you some additional information.

They need to be fitted to the guard wires.

They need to be able to swing up and down and be removable.

I simply informed you that the OP wanted to swing them, you are the one trying to turn it into an argument. Anyone else would take the new information onboard.

 

[Kelpie]

I have a 100w rigid panel mounted on the wires. I hastily cobbled together something involving whatever clips and brackets I could find on the boat, and it is now in its second season. I took it off for the winter.
The aft end is mounted to the pushpit railing, using one half of a 25mm plastic tube clamp.
The forward end is mounted on the wire, using a bulldog clamp. Even when tightened right down the bulldog clamp does not grip the wire.
The panel is free to swing up and down. I have a piece of maybe 4mm line attached to the bottom edge and this goes up to a shackle on the top of a redundant pole where the wind gen used to be, then down to a cleat. Another line goes to the toe rail and then the cleat. You can hold the panel in position using the two lines, and I adjust them throughout the day to maximise output.
We have just completed a three week cruise of Orkney using this setup, and did similar cruises last year, so I would say it's fairly well tested. In strong conditions or when entering a marina we drop the panel down to vertical, but most of the time it is raised to catch sunlight.
Yes it does make the guardwire sag a little- but it's really just an aesthetic issue and I can't see it doing any harm. Certainly less load on it than tying fenders to the top guardwire, which many people seem happy to do.
I've very pleased with it, and will install a matching one on the other side. There is a pole on that side for various antennae so I can use that for the string holding the panel up.

 

[rogerthebodger]

There is no "issue", i'm giving you some additional information.

They need to be fitted to the guard wires.

They need to be able to swing up and down and be removable.

I simply informed you that the OP wanted to swing them, you are the one trying to turn it into an argument. Anyone else would take the new information onboard.

I don't see it as arguing.

I posted an answer to the OP request. You picked me up on the fact that the OP wanted to swing the panel down I did not read than in the OP post so why raise it in you replay to my post.

When I answered that my solution could be also allow the panel to swing down by mot throwing up too tight. You again responded to me.

If you wish to give the OP more info that your prerogative and I won't object but like you I may give the OP more information like fixing the panels to the top of the davits as in effect both you and I have done.

 

[pvb]

I don't see it as arguing.

There's a pattern emerging!

 

[pvb]

You could also use a bull dog clamp

This could clamp better to the guard wire then a U clamp.

I'd be cautious about using bulldog clamps on guardrail wire - they have the potential to damage the wire, reducing its strength.