Rail mounting solar panels

[vyv_cox]

but outboard and out of the way when at sea in fair conditions or at anchor etc.

My biggest consumption is when I am sailing - usual fridge load plus instruments and MFD, so that is exactly when I want solar power, Plus it's likely to be around the middle of the day when it is most beneficial. Not to mention the fact that on an arch they are most likely not to be shaded, whereas on the rails they are. Our original arrangement was one on deck abaft the mast and a flexible that we could move around as needed. Apart from being a PITA, the difference when we moved on to an arch was astonishing.

 

[stranded]

My biggest consumption is when I am sailing - usual fridge load plus instruments and MFD, so that is exactly when I want solar power, Plus it's likely to be around the middle of the day when it is most beneficial. Not to mention the fact that on an arch they are most likely not to be shaded, whereas on the rails they are. Our original arrangement was one on deck abaft the mast and a flexible that we could move around as needed. Apart from being a PITA, the difference when we moved on to an arch was astonishing.

Yes, I wasn't very clear - it is essential that they can be deployed to best effect when underway.

The beauty of the sliding NOA mounts is that the panel can be slid so that the panel sits outboard of the guardrail, or inboard, and also pivoted through 180 degrees along the guardrail axis so as to be best facing the sun. And if conditions are lively, the brackets can be centred so that the weight/surface area is distributed evenly on top of the guardrail - which I think was Dougals point.

 

[Heckler]

In the scheme of things, for us say £450 in replacement panels over 12 years seems a fair price to avoid the aesthetic compromises of an arch.

Mine have been up a season, no close encounters yet and Geem, who did the originals, sailed across the Atlantic and is in the Carib now. I am sure he will give more info
Stu

 

[Heckler]

I think that Stu used Bimini fittings:

Indeed that is what I did. Nice and easy to fit and cut the tube to fit. Having said all that, the cockpit tent is being modified this winter and the option of using the panels on top as part of the bimini is being explored
Stu
Stu

 

[stranded]

Nooka

I used the NOA rail mounts for a couple of 50 watt solar panels on the pushpit.

Photo here...
Jubilant at Portland Marina

The mounts feel very secure and although I did buy a couple of rods and dinghy tiller UJs to make some adjusters, I ended up propping them up with a few left over plastic pipes and they've survived a year like that.

One thing to note about the NOA mounts is that they are designed for 25mm rails and you might find you have 1" rails. They really don't clamp easily around the 25.4mm rail but if you clamp them perhaps on a warm day, then tighten up gradually over a few days, they will fit in the end.

I believe NOA have suggested sanding the insides down a bit - but don't worry, they do fit eventually.

Thanks for the real life experience Martin - encouraging. So I think I'll fit them initially just using the mounts then I can tweak position before maybe figuring out some sort of brace for when prudent.

 

[Heckler]

Thanks for the real life experience Martin - encouraging. So I think I'll fit them initially just using the mounts then I can tweak position before maybe figuring out some sort of brace for when prudent.

This is what I used, simple, cheap and very effective
http://www.nauticayamar.com/316-stainless-2-part-clamp-316-inox-soporte-2-partes-en.html