Lucia 40: Solar and Lucia 40

[Terbonium]

Originally Posted by Falbala60

1 - I tried to find a Canadian distr. for SunPower but seems NO ONE ! I found some on the way Mtl>FL but they all answered me : "We don't have DC panels in stock and will not order them".
Where did you got yours ?

Valerie @ Alternative Energy Services, Inc. | Professional Customized Solar Energy Solutions for Homes and Businesses

Originally Posted by Falbala60

2 - From your pictures, the SS support on the bimini top is straight with no curvature to match the main rail... are the post the same height because the bimini top is also straight ?

The outboard standoffs were done first. Then the middle ones were cut and slid into place and tack welded. Then welding was finished off the boat. There is definitely curvature to the roof.

Originally Posted by Falbala60

3 - Is the angled bracket from the bimini top to the bimini column is from FP (they realized it is TOO WEAK) or your design ? If from FP I will not design one similar.

The tubular trusses. Yes I agree from an engineering stand point they are not correct. However, since there was nothing there before, it is a HUGE improvement. The has almost no flex now. Also, visually they look correct to us and they provide ample head clearance. They were "designed" by our fabricator. Want to mock that up in SW and do some stress analysis?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by LeeV

Can anybody tell me where they found somebody willing to sell you the Sunpower SP X22-360 panels? I've called 11 places now, and they are all responding that they're not allowed to sell 3 panels, and that Sunpower requires them to sell in batch for residential install projects.

Thanks!

Try
Ross Solar
38 Beaver Brook Rd,
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: (203) 512-4500

This is where I just purchased 3 of the X21-345 SunPower panels.

They had a 40 foot trailer cuck full of them.

[LoudMusic]

I'm having a heck of a time finding a website that will provide prices for SunPower panels. Any recommendations?

[Falbala60]

Originally Posted by Terbonium

Valerie @ Alternative Energy Services, Inc. | Professional Customized Solar Energy Solutions for Homes and Businesses







The outboard standoffs were done first. Then the middle ones were cut and slid into place and tack welded. Then welding was finished off the boat. There is definitely curvature to the roof.







The tubular trusses. Yes I agree from an engineering stand point they are not correct. However, since there was nothing there before, it is a HUGE improvement. The has almost no flex now. Also, visually they look correct to us and they provide ample head clearance. They were "designed" by our fabricator. Want to mock that up in SW and do some stress analysis?

I can do the stress analysis but need to know all tube dimensions ID, OD, shape. What is the vertical down force to apply ? Not sure this will tell us more than you said "This has almost no flex now. "... Much better than original design !!! I will do the same.

Ask your fabricator price to have 2 brackets I will install myself. He can sell a lot because ALL owners will want them.

[Terbonium]

Originally Posted by Oliver66

how did you "ripped" the fabric center piece ? sharp knife ?? and then inside you go down to maestro hull exact?
on right cabinet behind helm station ?
some photos and explanation would be very appreciate !!

Yes, hammer and a long putty knife. And much patience. Maybe a couple drinks to help take your mind off the fact that you are chiseling apart your new boat.

Yes, wires enter above the door thru an existing hole (used for the overhead lighting) then towards the starboard cabinet above the fridge(hope you don't have a freezer, you'll probably need to remove it to bring in the wires). There is an access panel in the ceiling of the "freezer" cabinet. From there the wires run down into starboard hull. Access panel in the starboard, inboard aft closet. Then there are a couple existing conduits into the engine bay. Just fish the wire there and you're done!

Originally Posted by Falbala60

Ask your fabricator price to have 2 brackets I will install myself. He can sell a lot because ALL owners will want them.

They are welded to the vertical supports (see attached photos)

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Terbonium

Yes, hammer and a long putty knife. And much patience. Maybe a couple drinks to help take your mind off the fact that you are chiseling apart your new boat.

Yes, wires enter above the door thru an existing hole (used for the overhead lighting) then towards the starboard cabinet above the fridge(hope you don't have a freezer, you'll probably need to remove it to bring in the wires). There is an access panel in the ceiling of the "freezer" cabinet. From there the wires run down into starboard hull. Access panel in the starboard, inboard aft closet. Then there are a couple existing conduits into the engine bay. Just fish the wire there and you're done!



They are welded to the vertical supports (see attached photos)

This is 3 of the SunPower X22-360 panels of the back of the coach roof? Very nice install.

[Falbala60]

Terbonium,
from your photos, this is what I have deducted...
please correct me.

An other point, as the column and the bracket are near the edge, far from center I would develop one where the fixation on the bimini would be closer to the center, at an angle rather parallel to the cat axis. Then the support will be more even.

What do you think about ? Will it be in the way of a 6'2" man ?

What would be the best angle ?

[Falbala60]

I forgot to ask if ...
the rib in the bimini structure (about 3 in wide going from main rail to edge) we see at the left of the column on the Terbonium picture of the bimini bracket,
is really a reinforcement.

If yes and we can bolt in ( what is inside ... hollow ? balsa ? wood ? ) why not to make the bracket at an angle to reach the edge of that rib.

What is the quite exact distance (perpendicular to the cat axis), from the center of the column to the center of the rib ?

[Falbala60]

I am very surprized of the quality of the weld "made in the field" ... You have a very good welder. For me I will make the part in a shop with a bolted connection rather than welding because it will be a DIY job. I can drill-tap in any condition but no welding.
Now I see that I am wring with the dimension, you can correct my drawing at will. I tried to send the SW part and dwg but can't attach them.

[Terbonium]

Should be good clearance for 6' 2" But in all honesty, there are lots of places to hit your head on the boat. This really won't be one of them.

8" down from the below the bimini roof. The stiffening rib is approx 15" off to the side (center to center) The rib is most likely hollow. The ribs under the center lighting area were hollow (they were drilled to accept the female side of panel snaps after being removed to install the solar wiring)

[Falbala60]

With those pictures, if I would have the size of the square column... I will scale all dimension from there.

[Terbonium]

60mm Square. 1 1/2” round.

[Falbala60]

Originally Posted by Terbonium

Should be good clearance for 6' 2" But in all honesty, there are lots of places to hit your head on the boat. This really won't be one of them.

8" down from the below the bimini roof. The stiffening rib is approx 15" off to the side (center to center) The rib is most likely hollow. The ribs under the center lighting area were hollow (they were drilled to accept the female side of panel snaps after being removed to install the solar wiring)

Very good info. In SW, I import a picture and scale it using a known dimension, this is what I did with the aft of the Lucia... quite good approximation.

This is not a critical issue, because "too strong never break"...
but just for "playing with the thing" ...
From your picture I "calculated" that the size of the SS tubing could be 1-5/16" 1.312" because using 1.25 or 1.375, are a bit off.
Am I wright ?

[Terbonium]

I would have say 1 8/16" But I'll measure again tonight to be sure.

[Falbala60]

This is the result ...
not exact to the thousand but quite good for shop manufacturing and DIY installation. If you want to start the business... This is for you.

Any other that copy this design should give "some return" to Terbonium...
like the details of an other modification or improvement.