Solar Panel Lifeline Mounts?

[Hankthelank]

Hi all,

Im going to mount a couple of solar panels on my lifelines and am looking for an extension arm so that the panel can be held in a horizontal position when needed. Does anybody know where they can be purchased? Something which has an adjustable length would be preferable. I've done various internet searches but with no success.

Thx
Hank.

[marno]

I had a local shop fabricate my mounts from Delrin, with the hole slightly smaller than the tube between the stantions. They don't move with my 85watt panels on them.

[captain465]

I don't understand why you would want the "extension arms" to be adjustable. The panel in a horizontal position will get the best exposure to the sun most of the time.
I just got a couple of pieces of stainless steel tubing ( scraps from a canvas fabrication shop) and some fittings, and set the solar panel up with those as supports.

[BlueSovereign]

Originally Posted by marno

I had a local shop fabricate my mounts from Delrin, with the hole slightly smaller than the tube between the stantions. They don't move with my 85watt panels on them.

Been to your web site and see no pictures of your set-up. Is there anyway you could provide a few photos, as I'm interested in what you have done.

Thanks

William

[marno]

Gday Blue,
Sorry, I am a little behind with updating the web site. Just took some pics. I need to take them off and make the cutouts for the life lines a little bigger. If I want to change their angle, I just push one side and pull the other, but they don't move on their own. Hope this helps.

[bobfnbw]

The PO used paint roller extenders that are available at any home store or paint store. They are aluminum and fiberglass. They work very well. The ends are rubber coated and grip the boat tightly. The panels are mounted to the 1" rails and swivel. When not in use they hang straight down. Its a good system I think. When I add more panels I will dot the same on the rail mounted ones.
Bob

[Blue Stocking]

How about the Edson cockpit table mounts?

[Sailabel]

We just went to West Marine and bought a pair of the Taylor boat cover support poles. They telescope and work fine for us. We unstalled a couple of receivers under the solar panel so the poles stay in place.

Our panels are mounted on 1" ss rails, and we use the plastic clamp mounts.

[MarkJ]

I know the OP didn't ask this, but the subject appears to, so for others searching...

To attach solar panels to rails have a look at LifeSling mounts:

West Marine: Lifesling Mounting Kits Product Display 710&Ne=0&Ntt=lifesling&Ntk=Primary Search&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=lifesling&isLTo kenURL=true&storeNum=8&subdeptNum=104&classNum=130 95#

From Westmarine!