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Post by jima on Jan 27, 2019 11:15:48 GMT
Hi......looking at fitting semi-flexible solar panels to Coach Roof of Jeanneau 379....anyone done this and can give advice on fitting method and any pitfalls.....
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Post by vasko on Jan 27, 2019 12:57:57 GMT
Hi......looking at fitting semi-flexible solar panels to Coach Roof of Jeanneau 379....anyone done this and can give advice on fitting method and any pitfalls..... Different boat model but yes hav done it - make sure you buy only panels with sunpower cells , lensun in HK are quite good - just ask them to produce with sunpower cells for you I installed my one with SS screws with thread inside and panels are fuxed with bolts tand this way I can dismount the panels fir the winter |
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Post by MalcolmP on Jan 27, 2019 16:57:27 GMT
As Vasko correctly says only buy good quality panels if you are going g for semi flexible. I installed 2 panels from Photonic Universe and the upper layer soon went cloudy then they started delaminating after 18 months. they stopped working entirely after about 3 seasons. I replaced them with a single fixed 360w on the stern. Regarding fixing demi flexible I didn't want to screw into the deck as used this industrial velcro 50mm www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAVY-DUTY-VELCRO-Brand-Industrial-Grade-50mm-Self-Adhesive-Hook-and-Loop-Tape/252955576791Amazingly strong, coincidentally I have just pulled the old panels off the deck today and the velcro was still holding them really tightly and had not lifted at all after at least 5 years I was expecting the old glue to have made quite a mess on the non skid moulding, but came off leaving only a light residue |
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Post by jdl01 on Jan 27, 2019 18:51:57 GMT
If you have a conventional main sail, you will be walking on the panels a fair bit when flaking the sail. Have you considered mounting the panels on top of your dodger? We chose this location and it has proven trouble free and less prone to shadowing. Our unit has 6 panels on one sheet, so that it is almost always charging even with partial shadowing.
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Post by vasko on Jan 27, 2019 19:52:03 GMT
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Post by ForGrinsToo on Jan 27, 2019 21:00:55 GMT
Your 379 is a bit bigger than the 36i, but the hatch garage is probably similar.  www.23hq.com/ForGrinsToo/photo/51061243/originalThis is a 110 W Solbian semi-flexible panel installed June 2015. I removed 6 of the 8 hatch garage hold-down screws and replaced them with 1/2" longer versions. I cut, drilled,and shaped 3 pieces of King Starboard to secure the three exposed sides of the panel, then secured all with the longer hold-down screws. The wires go under the traveler and into the head ceiling, then to the battery compartment. You can find a similar approach here: www.jeanneau-owners.com/hintsandtips/Solarpanel.htmlWe remove the panel and store it in the v-berth for the winter. So far, 4 seasons with absolutely no issues. Yes, shading and heeling (the panel works best when insolation is perpendicular) diminish the power delivered, but the installation is simple - fair tradeoff for us. Geoff |
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Post by johannes on Jan 28, 2019 10:29:10 GMT
If you have a conventional main sail, you will be walking on the panels a fair bit when flaking the sail. Have you considered mounting the panels on top of your dodger? We chose this location and it has proven trouble free and less prone to shadowing. Our unit has 6 panels on one sheet, so that it is almost always charging even with partial shadowing. I have panels on the coachroof on our SO37. There is no need to step on them when flaking the mainsail, it is easy to stand on the side and reach over. |
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Post by vasko on Jan 28, 2019 16:24:28 GMT
btw: I step regularly on mine and and no issues so far - Lensun quality is amazing
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Post by jima on Jan 28, 2019 22:13:43 GMT
Thanks to all who have posted....I am still set on semi-flex on coach roof and will welcome any further fitting comments and UK/EU suppliers who have provided good products......
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Post by fimacca on Mar 6, 2021 9:26:14 GMT
it appears the previous owner of my boat was plugged in to pontoons thus far in my boats life. No solar of turbine present. I dont sail like that, I like secluded bays and finding my own anchorages. What did you find Jima, for your so37 - solar panel wise ?
I need some ideas - but coachroof under the boom seems sensible.
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Post by dbostrom on Mar 10, 2021 8:42:39 GMT
Hatch garage as w/ForGrinsToo. Very little walking happens beneath the boom in that area.  In our case, heavy duty Velcro to fix, as w/Malcolm. That's lasted through 4 years and a number of 50 kt+ blows. The main and only hassle of this is routing cables (for 39i a winding route if concealment is an objective). |
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Post by fimacca on Mar 10, 2021 19:04:11 GMT
That sounds like a plan. Flexi panel makes sense. I am not a big power user......my milk often hangs on a string off the stern to cool !
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