Chuck, Since the dodger is hard starboard I used 1/2" sheet metal screws to hold the panels in place. I was warned beforehand that the starboard and panels would have a differential expansion due to temperature which could cause buckling. To avoid this I replaced the tiny original brass grommets on the panels with 3/8ths hole #2 grommets. Using a #10 screw means that there is plenty of slop to allow expansion/contraction.
I considered that when the panels get hot they lose efficiency. I tried to facilitate some air flow under the panels by using 1" felt chair sliders spaced strategically under the panel. Solar system is hooked straight to my house bank. I have a "priority start" low voltage shutoff on the house bank so in the event that the solsr doesn't keep up, the batteries will be automatically disconnected before a damaging deep deep discharge occurs. Off my house bank I only keep the bilge pump and fridge available while away from the boat. Getting off shore power was my primary goal since derelict boats at my marina are hypothesized to be the cause of unusually fast anode destruction. Josh Muckley S/V Sea Hawk 1989 C&C 37+ Solomons, MD On Aug 3, 2016 8:42 AM, "Chuck Gilchrest via CnC-List" < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > Josh, > Are you powering just the fridge on its own separate battery bank with a > regulator or is the solar hooked up through your house battery circuit? > I can't see from the photos how your panels connect to the dodger. I'm > looking to do a similar install on the Bimini of our LF 35 with flexible > panels; however, I want to be able to take down the panels and canvas if we > have any bad weather. Thinking some sort of heavy duty snaps or industrial > Velcro on the attachment of panels to the canvas. > Best > Chuck Gilchrest > S/V Half Magic > 1983 LF 35 > Padanaram MA > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Aug 3, 2016, at 2:38 AM, Josh Muckley via CnC-List < > cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > > Hey y'all, > > Here's a link to my latest solar install. Two 100w flexible panels. > ~$150 each on eBay. I've been getting about 1000WHrs per day. Keeps my > beer cold. Happy to answer any questions. > > https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B8pEh5lnvP1yLXU5RzRyWjZXTDA > > Josh Muckley > S/V Sea Hawk > 1989 C&C 37+ > Solomons, MD > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you > like what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All > Contributions are greatly appreciated! > > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you > like what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All > Contributions are greatly appreciated! > >
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