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11-12-2017, 06:48
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Leavenworth, KS
Boat: 2011 Lagoon 450F
Posts: 1,147
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Slide Out Solar Panels
My vision of my solar panel array would look like this:
Over my davits, I would have, (what looks like), 4 solar panels. But, what I would actually have is 8 solar panels. 4 panels installed on top of the other 4, with slide outs allowing for expansion. So, when sailing, it would look like I have 4 panels, allowing for me to have a low profile... but, when at anchor, the top 4 panels would slide out (either split in the middle and slid to the side, or all sliding aft) and my solar array would now be 8 panels. I'm sure this is possible to do, however, does anyone know if there are panels that are already designed to do this that you could purchase, or would I have to build this system myself?
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11-12-2017, 08:45
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Boat: TRT 1200
Posts: 7,265
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Slide Out Solar Panels
I believe the Xquisite 50 has slide out solar panels, though not on their davits. I'm guessing the cat would need sterns that were able to carry a big load as that would be quite heavy?
Edit: it's the Cape Royal 53 that has the slide out panels.
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11-12-2017, 11:13
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: On a boat
Boat: 1987 Cabo Rico 38 #117 (sold) & 2008 Manta 42 #124
Posts: 4,172
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
On an Oday 22 that weighs 2200 lbs? Or do you have a different boat than in your signature?
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11-12-2017, 11:23
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Nelson NZ; boat in Coffs Harbour
Boat: 45ft Ketch
Posts: 1,559
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
I was thinking 2 stacks of 3 panels might work well in some situations - piano hinges so that when folded only 2 gets the the sun, opened all six get the sun.
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11-12-2017, 13:24
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Leavenworth, KS
Boat: 2011 Lagoon 450F
Posts: 1,147
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by zboss
On an Oday 22 that weighs 2200 lbs? Or do you have a different boat than in your signature?
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Oh my gosh! No! We are shopping for a 45' catamaran... I am confused though... I thought the weight of each solar panel was only about 20 pounds... but I see mention that this would be really heavy...
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11-12-2017, 14:08
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 604
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
I've researched the matter for a while. There aren't many existing boats with sliding/retractable panels, one of them mentioned above. But it's the only way to go, so we'll see more of them in the future, may be you will be one of the pioneers?
Sliding/retractable panels will allow to have big solar array without increasing windage or permanently taking usable space on the boat. Slide them out on the anchor or even when motoring with no wind, and have electricity for everything on the boat. When wind increases - just slide them in / retract, and still have regular size solar array.
Well engineered retractable/sliding system and stainless hardware - a must.
Light semi-flexible solar panels on the strong but light fiberglass platform can be used to save weight.
Regular solar panel weight (including mounting hardware) - approximately 10-15 kg per square meter.
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11-12-2017, 14:43
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern Tier, NY
Boat: Newport 28
Posts: 326
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by scarlet
Oh my gosh! No! We are shopping for a 45' catamaran... I am confused though... I thought the weight of each solar panel was only about 20 pounds... but I see mention that this would be really heavy...
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It's not just the panel weight, but also the weight of the wiring, the supports, the arch, all the hardware and nut and bolt. Sure, on the grand scheme of things and on a boat with substantial displacement, it's a minimal trade-off. Certainly more bearing on a lighter boat.
On that note thought, you could save a good chunk of weight, and probably even space, if you were using flexible (thinner) panels on much slimmer mounts and drawers. Or at least the sliders, depending on how you do it.
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11-12-2017, 14:47
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#8
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֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 15,136
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
Any machine shop can fab it up for you. Any marine place that does tuna towers and stainless pulpits can also do it.
But if you want to do it right, find a shop that doesn't get all bent out of shape when you ask them to do all the fabrication work (including replacing the frames on the solar panels) with titanium. Saves a lot of weight, adds strength.
There's no mass market for origami solar panel mounts, so you'll have to get custom fabrication.
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11-12-2017, 15:11
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Coffs Harbour, NSW
Boat: FreeFlow 50 cat
Posts: 1,336
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
Our Freeflow 50 will have 3.2kW total array with 4x 320W permanently mounted on top of bimini, and 6x 320W on slide out platform that retracts under bimini roof.
After much research, Panels used are e-Arche semiflex. See www.solar4rvs.com.au
Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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11-12-2017, 16:47
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Leavenworth, KS
Boat: 2011 Lagoon 450F
Posts: 1,147
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBeakie
Our Freeflow 50 will have 3.2kW total array with 4x 320W permanently mounted on top of bimini, and 6x 320W on slide out platform that retracts under bimini roof.
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please post photos when you get it done. I love the idea of them sliding from under the bimini... plus, it would add extra length of shade to the bimini, I suppose. Brilliant idea.
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11-12-2017, 17:00
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 293
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
It's worth noting that you can't just factor in the weight of the panels, wiring and infrastructure, but that they are a torque and not a sheer load which increases the weight penalty and need for over-engineering.
I am currently designing a retractable solar bimini for a raised helm cat (a la FP and Leopard) that pivots aft, but it is a much simpler operation since the solar is never obstructed and is just shifting aft of the helm/forward of the traveller when we don't want a bimini overhead on a particular day.
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11-12-2017, 17:07
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Out of Norfolk Va
Boat: Tartan 37
Posts: 687
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
The boat next to us in Vero Beach had a cool design that he built. Had two big panels, that he just flipped open or fold out aft. When folded up they cover each other, so they were off. Had a line just pulled it and they would close, in about 2 sec.
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11-12-2017, 17:38
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Coffs Harbour, NSW
Boat: FreeFlow 50 cat
Posts: 1,336
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
Thalas,
Do you mean it pivots on a centerline pole and swings around 180 degrees?
Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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12-12-2017, 08:46
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Currently on the boat, somewhere on the ocean, living the dream
Boat: Morgan 461 S/Y Flying Pig
Posts: 2,298
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by puffcard
The boat next to us in Vero Beach had a cool design that he built. Had two big panels, that he just flipped open or fold out aft. When folded up they cover each other, so they were off. Had a line just pulled it and they would close, in about 2 sec.
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When was that? We're currently on a ball in Vero, off to the Bahamas ASAP post our concert on the 16th...
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12-12-2017, 09:37
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SC
Boat: None,build the one shown of glass, had many from 6' to 48'.
Posts: 10,208
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Re: Slide Out Solar Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by scarlet
My vision of my solar panel array would look like this:
Over my davits, I would have, (what looks like), 4 solar panels. But, what I would actually have is 8 solar panels. 4 panels installed on top of the other 4, with slide outs allowing for expansion. So, when sailing, it would look like I have 4 panels, allowing for me to have a low profile... but, when at anchor, the top 4 panels would slide out (either split in the middle and slid to the side, or all sliding aft) and my solar array would now be 8 panels. I'm sure this is possible to do, however, does anyone know if there are panels that are already designed to do this that you could purchase, or would I have to build this system myself?
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Patten the idea. Quick!
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