Solar panel / dinghy davits

[Ammonite]

I would like to mount a circa 150w rigid solar panel across the top of my dinghy davits and was planning to hinge it along the aft edge and use some form of adjustable strut so that I can change the angle circa 30 degrees either side of horizontal, towards the bow or stern. The arm of each davit is angled about 120 degrees from vertical.

Has anyone done something similar? I'm just looking for ideas (DIY or off the shelf) at this stage, or should I not bother and just fix it horizontally. Thanks

 

[Alan S]

I've done something similar DIY with a 40W panel, but yours is much bigger. It will catch a lot of wind especially when not horizontal so needs careful engineering.

 

[Ammonite]

Thanks Alan. The davits are made from 3" stainless tube, albeit fairly thin wall, but they are pretty sturdy.

 

[Grith]

180w panel mounted on my targa bar with two Ferris thumb screw rail clamp style mounts a third of the way down the side of the panel and a rear central adjustable strap. Allows tilting up to 90 degrees rearward and has withstood well over 60knot buffeting. Three more identical 180w panels are mounted over the top of my Bimini with the same Ferris thumb screw style rail clamps but these do not tilt adjust. Another 160w panel mounted using these clamps sits over my cabin mounted from handrail to hand rail and one side is released to allow tilting at anchor. The tilting can make a significant difference as monitored by my phone app to my mppt controllers.