Solar Panel Mounting

[rabend]

I want to mount a Kyocera solar panel on Kato davits. The davits have a 1.25" tube that I would like to clamp my tube mounting frame to. I am not having any luck finding the right clamps and hardware to do that. I would appreciate any suggestions for sources of such hardware.

Thanks,

Bob

[ShipShape]

McMaster-Carr www.mcmaster.com has a large selection of U-bolts. Here is a Kyocera panel mounted to a 1.25" tube with a cushioned stainless steel U-bolt, MMC part # 3176T14.




Remember to put some Tef-Gel or something between the SS parts and the aluminum.

[ReMetau]

Cool. I planned on doing the same thing sometime this winter.

[ShipShape]

I mounted my panels on the outside of the pushpit - they lie vertical for "storage" and I made legs so they can be horizontal for power generation. I chose those particular U-bolts because because the insert rotates easily on the rail - they are actually being used as hinges.

[MarkJ]

Nylon blocks. you might need a shop to drill them, then you can slice them easily with a hack saw.

[KillerBoo]

Dont you have anything like these over there? Easy, versatile.. but in Sweden very expensive

[Olorin]

I just finished mounting 4 Shell 75 watt panels that came with the boat and 2 Kyocera 235 watt panels that I recently bought.

I used SS u-bolts from www.boltdepot.com
and aluminum channel from www.metalsdepot.com

Remember to put Tef-Gel or nylon washers between the aluminum and stainless steel where they come into contact.

Tomorrow I hook up the Two Morningstar TS-MPPT-45 controllers.

[KillerBoo]

Originally Posted by rabend

I want to mount a Kyocera solar panel on Kato davits. The davits have a 1.25" tube that I would like to clamp my tube mounting frame to. I am not having any luck finding the right clamps and hardware to do that. I would appreciate any suggestions for sources of such hardware.

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,
I tried to reply to your email but the form stated you chose not to receive them.. so, I´ll reply here instead.

I have no idea if/where you can get them in your part of the world, but they are very common in Sweden. (Swedish manufacturer makes them under the brand name NOA-connectors)
I´ll post a few links to companies in various countries. It seems unavailable in the US though.

Manufacturer: (Wont sell to individuals, but might be worth a try since US dont have a distributor)
Noa - Home

Distributors:
UK
Meridian Zero - Products List

Carribean (St Marten):
Accessories

Sweden: (Non english only)
Hjertmans

Hope this is of any help.

[rebel heart]

Here's how I did mine:

Rebel Heart - Sailing, cruising, liveaboard blog and website - Eric's Blog - finally mounted the solar*panels