Mounting Solar Panels

Stemar

Stemar

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I recently saw a boat with twin backstays and a solar panel mounted on a frame between them, held horizontal by diagonal bars, also fixed to the backstays. My panels (2x100w) are positioned less than optimally, so I'd like to do something similar.

At the height I'd like to fit them, the backstays on Jazzcat are about 3m apart, and the panels weigh about 17kg. Ideally, I'd like to add another one, to have 300w, and I'm thinking of using square section stainless tube, cutting slots to attach to the stays (got to work on that a bit)

Any thoughts on the feasibility of this and the size of tubing I'd need? Suggestions for alternatives to the SS tube also welcome
 
I have used 22mm 1.5mm wall stainless in 316 tubes on my catalac for a frame that holds about 600w of panels. It isn't 100% rigid when in really rough water but I don't have much cross bracing as yet. It only wiggles a little. Completely unphased by high wind. I'll sort it this winter. I suspect if you are only holding 3 panels and are going to use your back stays for bracing you'd find similar tube to be entirely sufficient.

Best prices I found for the metal was via metal supermarket over near northam Bridge on the way in to town. They seem to have everything in stock!
 
Stemar said:
I recently saw a boat with twin backstays and a solar panel mounted on a frame between them, held horizontal by diagonal bars, also fixed to the backstays. My panels (2x100w) are positioned less than optimally, so I'd like to do something similar.

At the height I'd like to fit them, the backstays on Jazzcat are about 3m apart, and the panels weigh about 17kg. Ideally, I'd like to add another one, to have 300w, and I'm thinking of using square section stainless tube, cutting slots to attach to the stays (got to work on that a bit)

Any thoughts on the feasibility of this and the size of tubing I'd need? Suggestions for alternatives to the SS tube also welcome
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Recommend that any metalwork that comes into contact with your backstays has no sharp edges that will create a stress raiser on the wire strands.
 
Plum said:
Recommend that any metalwork that comes into contact with your backstays has no sharp edges that will create a stress raiser on the wire strands.
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Oh, yes. I'm paranoid about sharp edges and corners!

oakleyb said:
We used Grp profiles from
GRP
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Very interesting - that would certainly simplify assembly - corners would just be a bit of glass and polyester. (I'd use epoxy, but I'm not sure how long it would last in the sun, though I suppose I could always paint it. Would 25x25 be stiff enough, or should I go up to 38mm for a 3m frame?
 
I used fuel pipe cut into 4 inch lengths and split to slip over the Backstay wires. Bulldog clips top and bottom held these protectors firmly in place, one in the middle held a bracket for the panels.

AFAIK, the panels are still on that boat, fitted the same way. We sold her 10 years ago.
 
rotrax said:
I used fuel pipe cut into 4 inch lengths and split to slip over the Backstay wires. Bulldog clips top and bottom held these protectors firmly in place, one in the middle held a bracket for the panels.

AFAIK, the panels are still on that boat, fitted the same way. We sold her 10 years ago.
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If it is Jess, I’ll look in the morning as I walk past.
 
Dellquay13 said:
If it is Jess, I’ll look in the morning as I walk past.
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rotrax said:
I used fuel pipe cut into 4 inch lengths and split to slip over the Backstay wires. Bulldog clips top and bottom held these protectors firmly in place, one in the middle held a bracket for the panels.

AFAIK, the panels are still on that boat, fitted the same way. We sold her 10 years ago.
Click to expand...
the fuel hose is still there, but the bulldog clips have been replaced with wire rope clamps like these

1755717699001.jpeg
 
Dellquay13 said:
the fuel hose is still there, but the bulldog clips have been replaced with wire rope clamps like these

View attachment 198129
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EER-Thats what I know as 'Bulldog' clips! :cool:

Not those silly jobs used for clipping papers together, but those, as you say, wire rope clips. I heard the term from the Skipper of a gaff rigged smack in Ramsgate Harbour, used it ever since.

Glad to know it still works.
 
Catalacs have quite a bit of windage and I would be concerned about about another say 12square feet facing forward even at about 50 degrees from vertical? I have two 80w panels atop the wheelhouse which works pretty well but perhaps you are one of the few Catalacs without the wheelhouse.
 
C08 said:
Catalacs have quite a bit of windage and I would be concerned about about another say 12square feet facing forward even at about 50 degrees from vertical? I have two 80w panels atop the wheelhouse which works pretty well but perhaps you are one of the few Catalacs without the wheelhouse.
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Sensible advice - I will say that anecdotally I have had no issues with the lions share of a kilowatt on a frame on the stern of my catalac 8m even in some pretty substantial winds (for the Solent anyway!). I suspect a few hundred watts will be equally fine if it isn't going out in huge winds or offshore.
 
Sorry for the delay in replying, we've been away.

I want the panels to be almost horizontal, just enough slope for rain to drain off, so I don't think windage will be a significant issue. We haven't got a wheelhouse, just a rigid windscreen and canvas spray hood.

Currently, our panels are mounted on the hatch garage, which means that one of them is shaded by the boom most of the time, and they don't keep up with the fridge at anchor, hence the need to move them.
 
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