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Post by rdubs on Oct 18, 2018 6:10:27 GMT
Hi everyone
Have a 2013 SO469.
Would like to install some solar panels. I’ve heard great things about installing them into or onto the Bimini top, but I like to keep the Bimini folded up / collapsed most of the time. Some options:
1) the area forward of the traveler, where the factory stock panels go. Disadvantage is boom would cast shadow and have to drill into the cabin top to run the wires to the battery.
2) outboard the cockpit lifelines (so they’d fold up and down; down for docking, up for using). Disadvantage is the metal tube part of the life rail is fairly short, so would need to weld an extension forward, and also the panels would make accessing the rear cleats difficult or impossible.
3) on top of the main Bimini support bracket: this would be nice but would have to cut holes in the Bimini to access that support bracket.
Appreciate any ideas or thoughts. Many thanks
’Dubs
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Post by vasko on Oct 18, 2018 6:21:33 GMT
A proper place for panels us an arch on the stern - make sure they are with SunPower cells , minimum 500w and 40a MPPT controller (the EPVER one is great) - panels producer I can suggest use LENSUN but get in touch directly and order panels with SubPower cells - better go with fuxed but if you decide on flexible - make sure if they are on top of canvas to fabricate a supporting frame as if left on a canvas from the flexing they do not last long (month - two) also you can design the arch to be used as davits also for the dinghy.
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Post by Bora on Oct 18, 2018 12:51:42 GMT
Be interested to see what you come up with, looking at the same for my SO469. The bimini is great for anchor and in port but a bit of a pain when trying to sail so I get your point regarding the ones mounted on the bimini. My transom is already pretty hectic with the 2x lifebuoys, life sling, outboard, flag and davits......I can't picture a stainless arch there as well  .....has anyone successfully put a stainless arch on the stern of a 469? photos would be great! |
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Post by rdubs on Oct 18, 2018 14:05:23 GMT
My transom is already pretty hectic with the 2x lifebuoys, life sling, outboard, flag and davits I got a good laugh at that because my stern liferail is Grand Central Terminal. Life ring on one corner, propane grill on the other, flag, john buoy, and two SOLAS floating strobe lights. And I'm going to have to find somewhere to hang the outboard soon. When I bought the boat it originally came with davits, but I took them off because I like the lines to be as pure and clean as possible. I wonder if I should look at re-installing them just to serve as a platform to mount some solar panels. I wonder if I could re-use the brackets which the davits went into to hold a solar platform. Will take a look next time on the boat. By the way Findhorn your avatar image of the boat at anchor, I take it that's yours, is that the anchor sail you made? Looks good! |
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Post by Bora on Oct 18, 2018 14:57:39 GMT
My transom is already pretty hectic with the 2x lifebuoys, life sling, outboard, flag and davits I got a good laugh at that because my stern liferail is Grand Central Terminal. Life ring on one corner, propane grill on the other, flag, john buoy, and two SOLAS floating strobe lights. And I'm going to have to find somewhere to hang the outboard soon. When I bought the boat it originally came with davits, but I took them off because I like the lines to be as pure and clean as possible. I wonder if I should look at re-installing them just to serve as a platform to mount some solar panels. I wonder if I could re-use the brackets which the davits went into to hold a solar platform. Will take a look next time on the boat. By the way Findhorn your avatar image of the boat at anchor, I take it that's yours, is that the anchor sail you made? Looks good! Thats my girl  loving her!! Took the photo from a mavic 2 drone off Calpe in Spain. The anchor sail works an absolute treat, thanks for the tips!!, i changed out the shackles for small caribeeners as reaching the boom to do shackles was a pain in the ass. I have simpson davits that i can rotate when not in use but then they do foul the stern platform, they're pretty handy for getting on and off stern too though. I'd imagine they'd hold solar panels quite nicely and brace off the back of the bimini perhaps? I've been thinking to go down the flexible route and have then zip on to the bimini with a MC4(?) connector close by so i can remove them if required and store them down below, probably the most likely route i'l go down as more often than not i've got the bimini up. Could also have an extension cable so that if you have the bimini packed away you could bring the panels up on to deck and then plug them in, could be good just resting on the coachroof at an optimum angle. |
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Post by blade on Oct 19, 2018 15:35:18 GMT
Hi findhorn, just read that your avatar was taken outside Calpe, that is my home port, could have said hello. Interested in your anchor sail, did you make it or was it off the shelf, is it a single or twin sail, more or less what size is it.
I presume the boat is on its way to Montenegro, how's it going, a good trip ?
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Post by Bora on Oct 19, 2018 16:03:39 GMT
Hi findhorn, just read that your avatar was taken outside Calpe, that is my home port, could have said hello. Interested in your anchor sail, did you make it or was it off the shelf, is it a single or twin sail, more or less what size is it. I presume the boat is on its way to Montenegro, how's it going, a good trip ? Hi Blade, I got the details on the sail from rdubz(?) he posted some great info on the SO469 when I first bought her. The thread is called 2013-469 I think. Very cheap and easy to make, just a standard shade sail from amazon with tarp clips and some caribeeners. Boat is currently in Valencia, probably be staying over this side of the med for the winter now, the work yacht isn’t going back to Montenegro just yet. |
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Post by jdl01 on Oct 19, 2018 20:23:31 GMT
Probably the best solar panel location would be on a stern arch. However some, including myself, have trouble with the aesthetics of an arch and other cockpit paraphernalia - it can end up looking like a floating yard sale. We selected an easily removable 6 panel unit for the top of our dodger. The multiple panels means occasional boom shadow is not a big issue in reducing output. We have a full length roll up cockpit sunshade which we deploy at anchor or when tied up. On these occasions we relocate the panel to the top of the mainsail cover where it encounters no shadowing. The system - 110 watts- has worked well now for 7 seasons.
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.....has anyone successfully put a stainless arch on the stern of a 469? photos would be great!
loving her!! Took the photo from a mavic 2 drone off Calpe in Spain. The anchor sail works an absolute treat, thanks for the tips!!, i changed out the shackles for small caribeeners as reaching the boom to do shackles was a pain in the ass.
