Solar Panel on guardwires

[KAM]

When the cost and weight of mounting the panels in a position to capture maximum sunlight far exceeds the cost and weight of the semi flexible panels let alone the extra windage and appearance it seems a no brainer just to fit a few extra panels where they are unobtrusive. There are always some in the sun whatever your heading and sail plan. There is also redundancy in case of failure. My requirement was to replace an inefficient noisy heavy wind turbine with a lot of windage. I estimate I am getting much more power for half the cost and a quater of the weight. Virtually no extra windage and no noise. Building sophisticated mountings would have reduced the benefits.

 

[Pete7]

Enough to burn the deck or any deck finish.

Is this from first hand experience and can we see the photos please.

Pete

 

[KAM]

I have not noticed any problem with the semi flexible panels lying on the deck in the UK but Ill look out when I head south. Do rigid panels get hotter than the semi flexible ones.

 

[geem]

Advice or creative ideas would be appreciated here.

I am going to place an 80w victronblue solar panel where the dodgers currently are on my Sadler 32. The panel will hang vertically down outside the dodger, effectively being hung from the guardwires itself, not from the pushpit (no room there).

The top of the panel will be attached to the guardwires and I want to be able swing the bottom of the panel upwards on two adjustable legs of some kind. These legs will act as supports at the bottom of the panel allowing me to vary the angle of the panel to the sun. Would anyone have any ideas as to where to obtain such an adjustable "leg"? Any other useful ideas would be great!

Murray.

I use a notched broom handle cut in half to act as a panel prop. The prop sits on the bottom guardwire and locates centrally on the panel frame where I have drilled a small hole. In the end of the prop is a brass cup hook that locates in the hole on the panel frame. I cut the props to give me a horizontal panel when fully extended. Various notches on the strut allow me to vary the angle of the panel. As simple piece of string fastened from the panel frame to the lower guardwire and tensioned, stops the prop from bouncing free in bumpy weather. My panels have been across the Atlantic and back in this configuration and will be doing the same again this year. It works and is cheap

 

[muzzaman]

I use a notched broom handle cut in half to act as a panel prop. The prop sits on the bottom guardwire and locates centrally on the panel frame where I have drilled a small hole. In the end of the prop is a brass cup hook that locates in the hole on the panel frame. I cut the props to give me a horizontal panel when fully extended. Various notches on the strut allow me to vary the angle of the panel. As simple piece of string fastened from the panel frame to the lower guardwire and tensioned, stops the prop from bouncing free in bumpy weather. My panels have been across the Atlantic and back in this configuration and will be doing the same again this year. It works and is cheap

That's great Geem, the kind of info I am looking for. This seems like a good method of propping up the panel at various angles. Thanks to all for various replies - really is appreciated.

 

[robertj]

Force 4 sells them as hatch struts. They're stainless steel and cost about £20pr if I recall correctly.

That's an interesting idea with the S/S tube. You sau the tilt is adjustable - what do you use to facilitate this? I am imagining a couple of adjustable telescopic legs but can't quite think where to source these.

Great replies and suggestions all round though - thanks folks.