Solar panel mounting on backstays?

[Anchorite]

Are there any reasons not to fit a biggish (80 W) panel on a frame between the (twin) backstays? Masthead rig, non-bendy mast of fairly hefty section. The usual stainless arch always seems a distant cousin of Tower Bridge (IMHO)...

 

[woody001]

it will look sh*t

 

[woody001]

sorry it's blunt but it will.

 

[William_H]

I have a much smaller panel but have found the best place is on top of the boom and mainsail. I attach it with bungees and remove it before sailling.
I don't think the panel will look so bad between the backstays but it will be difficult to mount it with any stabiliity unless you have posts at the back to steady it or even add 2 more backstays to provide 4 corner support.
regards olewill

 

[tsmyth]

Twill only get the sun when you are point the right way.

Ray

 

[hylass]

Don't do that.. if you have any shadow on your solar panel (From the backstay.) it will cut the output nearly by two..

Keep you panels away from any source of shadow..

 

[Anchorite]

Damned with faint praise!

How many have you designed??? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Anchorite]

Not quite so...

The idea is not to dangle it between the backstays, but to add a triangulated strut each side to place the panel aft of the stays, i.e. in a similar position to where it would be on an arch and a bit higher.
Nobody done it or seen it?

 

[roger]

Alternative. Mount it/them instead of or outside spray dodgers

I've seen it done. They don't look too bad and are out of the way. However they are vulnerable to other peoples mistakes.