Mounting Flexible Solar to the Bimini - adhesive?

[thruska]

Originally Posted by Rubicon King

Needing some sage advice on how to mount the solar panels on the large Bimini without having to sew them in with canvass and velcro. I was thinking about sandwich a bayonet anchor between a patch and the bimini and glue it down with industrial E6000. Am I being foolish and too cheap?

Hh-66.
That’s all there is to say.

[Phyrcooler]

I’ve heard these work well. https://www.sailrite.com/Stayput-Can...Fastener-Black

My canvas guy says you can carefully push an awl between the threads of Sunbrella cloth for inserting fasteners. He has pictures of small bolts with larger nylon fender washers safely securing flexible panels.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Phyrcooler

I’ve heard these work well. https://www.sailrite.com/Stayput-Can...Fastener-Black



My canvas guy says you can carefully push an awl between the threads of Sunbrella cloth for inserting fasteners. He has pictures of small bolts with larger nylon fender washers safely securing flexible panels.

Depends on the size of the hole.

I prefer a spin cutter for these larger fasteners.

[facciatosta]

Originally Posted by j.g.evans

When I researched solar panels many years ago I found that the amorphous flexible panels had half the output of rigid panels. You don't want the boom to shade any panels or the output will be zero. My solution was a arch on the aft end. I had 4 rigid solar panels on the top and a hoist for the dinghy underneath.

Sometime weight is a main factor. Rigid panels are much heavier than semiflex and in turn require heavier support.

[Phyrcooler]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Depends on the size of the hole.

I prefer a spin cutter for these larger fasteners.

I would agree. I went back and looked at them after posting and came to the same conclusion that those specific fasteners needed a bigger hole than just a “push through”. I’ve not tried those yet, but am looking because I only plan on putting a couple panels up when heading out for multiple days. Otherwise while at the dock or day sailing, there is no need to leave them up and exposed. I’ll just lay them flat under an aft berth mattress. In reference to that specific style fastener, they do make a model with two holes for through-fasteners that might be a better option if properly supported.

[Eder]

The whole point to flexible panels on the bimini is to keep the nice lines of the boat rather than having it look like Mad Max.



Everything is a compromise.

[Phyrcooler]

Originally Posted by j.g.evans

When I researched solar panels many years ago I found that the amorphous flexible panels had half the output of rigid panels. You don't want the boom to shade any panels or the output will be zero. My solution was a arch on the aft end. I had 4 rigid solar panels on the top and a hoist for the dinghy underneath.

It must have been some time since you compared. Flexible panels are nearly as efficient and sized per watt as their rigid brothers. Rigid is more durable still, no doubt. But requires an arch - which if done right (expensive) can look well integrated. Or you can buy the arch in a box kit and have an awkward, oversized abomination stuck on the back of an otherwise sleek boat. When you include the cost of an arch, you could purchase several rounds of flexible panels.

Originally Posted by Eder

The whole point to flexible panels on the bimini is to keep the nice lines of the boat rather than having it look like Mad Max.


Everything is a compromise.

EXACTLY!!

[David B]

Originally Posted by Phyrcooler

It must have been some time since you compared. Flexible panels are nearly as efficient and sized per watt as their rigid brothers. Rigid is more durable still, no doubt. But requires an arch - which if done right (expensive) can look well integrated. Or you can buy the arch in a box kit and have an awkward, oversized abomination stuck on the back of an otherwise sleek boat. When you include the cost of an arch, you could purchase several rounds of flexible panels.


EXACTLY!!

Yes indeed. Each to their own, but we prefer our panels to be effectively invisible. The ones on the arch, no one knows are there (same width, and on aluminium sheet substrate, curving around the arch curve).

Next step is a pair of the largest semi's we can find to go on the bimini (between the main arch and the first hoop). The only giveaway should be the shadow.

Great to know the efficiency is coming up on semi's also.

[hanjohuizing]

We have three flex solar panels mounted on the Bimini with zippers. Zipper is stitched onto the fles panel. Strong connection and they have resisted 47 knots of wind without a problem. Easy to take off at the end of season.

[Rubicon King]

OK, just to post an update on the first attempt. I installed the 4 solar panels with 12 magnets each 1.25X.125 thick. thought they were strong enough, but when a 90 degree 30Kt wind hit they all went flying like a kite. ugh. all the magnets on the bottom cracked when they hit the floor. they looked great, but I wont use those again for that purpose. I'm going to use the spin cutter and fasteners from sailright. it was worth a try though. thanks all

[Phyrcooler]

Originally Posted by Rubicon King

OK, just to post an update on the first attempt. I installed the 4 solar panels with 12 magnets each 1.25X.125 thick. thought they were strong enough, but when a 90 degree 30Kt wind hit they all went flying like a kite. ugh. all the magnets on the bottom cracked when they hit the floor. they looked great, but I wont use those again for that purpose. I'm going to use the spin cutter and fasteners from sailright. it was worth a try though. thanks all

Thanks for updating. I wish others did more consistently on this forum. If possible, please post pictures during/after installing the other fasteners. I’ll hopefully be working on solar for mine this summer.