Attaching rigid solar panels to canvas dodger.

[mlydon]

Smokey,

Mind attaching a closer picture? Setup looks very nice, but too small to see and details

Thx,
Matt

[SURV69]

have you considered 4 or 6 point contact and using swim noodles to reduce chafing?

[Shaunskie]

This is what I was trying to do, hopefully it worked

[MartinR]

I di da provisorical installation of rigid panels on my bimini 1 year ago. Was supposed to last a few weeks, but it turned out the installation works, no chafe on the bimini top. Basically I used industrial strength velcro to attach the panels. The velcro is self-adhesive both on the bimini and on the panels. Of course, the panels span two stainless steel tubes, and the velcro is attached to the canvas on top of these. In any place where there is the slightest chance that the canvas comes in contact with the panel, I used sail repair tape.

For more security I have one line securing the panels from each corner. Also sail repair tape under this. No chafe at all until now.

This installation is actually almost flush with the canvas and looks good. I will probably change it a at a later date, but first I will add two more panels the same way. This was cheap, is secure and gives little windage as the panels are on top of the canvas. But this works best on a rather flat bimini like mine.

Best picture I have is this:

[MultiCountryDon]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Why not just forget about adding all the stainless bars and attach some flexible panels like this?

Looks great-Brand ,source,Power, and results please.
Thanks,
Don

[drapem1]

i just completed my solar project with 4x100 watt panels on a fabricated frame above rear bimini. had the connectors welded so not to worry about the hex nuts coming loose and tubes coming detached. we have a B&R rig so easier without a back stay. see pic

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by MultiCountryDon

Looks great-Brand ,source,Power, and results please.
Thanks,
Don

450 watts all done by Solbian at their factory near Turin, Italy.

[Smokeys Kitchen]

Originally Posted by mlydon

Smokey,

Mind attaching a closer picture? Setup looks very nice, but too small to see and details

Thx,
Matt

Matt - don't have any "stock" photos of close ups of the installation. I am off the boat right now but will be back tomorrow and will take a couple of close ups and post them up

Ron

[hodgmo]

My rigid solar panels (2X85W) are mounted above my soft dodger using a simple SS tubular system, with the panels secured in an aluminum cage, see (hopefully) attached images.

No holes were made in the canvas, the wire cable passed through an existing opening. The roll bar is to prevent reefing and other lines from fouling on the panel assembly. This has worked well since 2011 including CA coastal passages and two round trips to HI. In 2014 I swapped the original thwart-mounted 75W panels for the current fore-aft-mounted 85W ones. In 2016 I disassembled the entire dodger system to have the dodger material serviced (zippers replaced, water-proof the sunbrella…) – no damage due to the solar panels.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kVdmMBUjaL6A4DDg8

[Windcall]

Windcall had rigid panel's with a nice custom frame. We replaced the enclosure, and now the frame doesn't line up. So now theyare on the dinghy davits....Oh the new enclosure has so many gaps, cheap Isenglass we have to replace again get references!!

[Smokeys Kitchen]

Originally Posted by mlydon

Smokey,

Mind attaching a closer picture? Setup looks very nice, but too small to see and details

Thx,
Matt

Here is a set of pics with our attachment. As I said, our bimini came with the crossbars that ran on the top; both the ones running lengthwise as well as the curved cross pieces. We get no drips in the bolt holes coming through the bimini frame.

The last two are a close up of the outside and inside of where the frame attaches with the bolt through the bimini

Hope these help
Ron

[thinwater]

Unless you buy top-dollar panels, flex panels are a risk. Read the Solbian instructions and they will tell you that repeated flexing is a big problem and that you must NEVER mount them across a bow. And rigid panels always last longer.


+1 for Gemini products. No chafe. https://www.geminiproducts.net/solar-mounts/


I've used both flex and rigid. Either will work, but proper mounting is vital to long life. They must be held still. I've never mounted flex panels on a flexible surface; bad mix from an engineering perspective, but smart for the marketing guys. A very common conflict.

[CarinaPDX]

Just compare the warranty for rigid (typically 10-12 years) to flexible (1-2 years, maybe, if they can't blame your handling). Pass.


Greg

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by CarinaPDX

Just compare the warranty for rigid (typically 10-12 years) to flexible (1-2 years, maybe, if they can't blame your handling). Pass.


Greg

You are right that the manufacturers know that the solid panels will last far longer than the flex panels.
The flex panels still have great uses on boats even if you only get 4 years out of them.

Many of the hard panel warranties don't cover marine uses of the panels. Here's Kyocera's exception to coverage

h) defects and/or failures caused by use on a mobile unit including, but not limited to, vehicles,
vessels and any other such mobile unit;

So buying based on warranty for a boat often doesn't make sense.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Smokeys Kitchen

Here is a set of pics with our attachment. As I said, our bimini came with the crossbars that ran on the top; both the ones running lengthwise as well as the curved cross pieces. We get no drips in the bolt holes coming through the bimini frame.

The last two are a close up of the outside and inside of where the frame attaches with the bolt through the bimini

Hope these help
Ron

Nice job. The curves are done very well, looks neat.