Mahe 36: Solar Panels and Associated Systems

[Jef & Marin, Netherlands]

Hi Seadog, saw on your pics that you have mounted your solar cells on your davits, something I am considering to do as well.
I would appreciate it if you could give me (and maybe all mahe owners) some information like what is the brand and model. And maybe also some pictures how you mounted the cells on the davits?
And what are your reasons for putting them there, and not use flexible cells on the roof?
Thanks, kind regards,
Jef

[Wayward Wind]

Jef, the modifications were made by our local FP distributors, EC Marine, here in Australia. They came up with the concept, which I really liked and went along with. I have asked them to give me the technical details which I will post here once I receive them. They have also made some simple but very handy mods, such as putting a hydraulic strut where the anchor storage is, which holds the lid up even with wind and chop. If you like I can take some pics of those mods and post them here as well.

JC, I have attached a broader view of the solid SS rail. It is really useful as it holds the BBQ and solar panels. I can attach my rod holder(s) to it. Also, it seems to provide greater safety astern in that we are holding on to a solid ss rail.

Cheers!

John

[IrieCat]

John
What type of solar panel did you use and why did you choose to place it above the davits and not on top of the bimini. I am considering an install.

Lonnie

[Cotemar]

John,

Looking at your post #2 of your solar panel mounted on your davits and stern rail.
Can you take a picture of the connection to your davits for me. I would like to use that same connection method.

Cotemar

[Wayward Wind]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

John,

Looking at your post #2 of your solar panel mounted on your davits and stern rail.
Can you take a picture of the connection to your davits for me. I would like to use that same connection method.

Cotemar

Cotemar, hope this is what you are looking for.

JohnC

[Jef & Marin, Netherlands]

John, saw your solar panels, looks very nice. Are you happy about the percentage
of the day you get sunlight? Or would you advice another location after having your experience, e.g. port side of the bimini?

I am planning to mount solar panels, but do not have your stern rail.
I'll try to feed the power line through the davits, this brings them very nicely inside I think.

[lstyles]

I would also like to know how your solar panels are working out. How many watt hours do you have up there on the davit and what kind of output do you get? Have you had any troubles with this configuration in rough weather or seas? Not too get too personal but can you tell us how much you paid for the stern rail that you have...its quite nice and I am considering something like that.
thanks,
Lori

[MKB53]

I am chipping in on this as I have pretty much the same configuration as Seadog from the same agent (EC Marine in Aus).

The stern rail/pushpit is really good and I would recommend a "hard" one like these.

I was charged A$2550 including the mounting for the solar panel. The additional barbecue mounting on the corner was an extra I added later.

The photo shows the solar panel mounting reasonably well. The outboard bar is closed on each end and is threaded to take a bolt. The bolt then is inserted through the top (unused) holes in the davit fitting. Very neat and simple. SeaDogs looks slightly different in this detail but either would work well.

I don't have any detail on the panel output but it gets quite a bit of sun. I suspect the cabin/bimini top position would be more prone to shade from the main when on the wrong tack. obviously when you are head to the sun you will have a problem.

[lstyles]

Thanks for the picture! Have you had any issues in rough seas with your solar panel mounted on the davits?
thanks,
Lori

[MKB53]

Hi Lori

No problems yet. I have been out in rough seas (short & steep) without any problem but have not done any real distance with a big following sea. I always seem to have a headwind unfortunately!

I can't see it being an issue as it is pretty high and your dingy would be copping a pounding long before the solar panel became an issue. Are you worried about salt water or actual physical damage?

Cheers
Martin

[MKB53]

Two other items on the solar panel. My cabling does go down inside the port Davit tube as suggested by Jeff/Marin. This is neat, out of the way and takes the cable in near the battery bank. It looks like SeaDogs is rigged with the cable through the stern rail/pushpit.

Also the bright spark who did mine connected the solar charger to the auxiliary terminals on the battery bank which I discovered are wired through the house "services" relay. Hence if you trip this relay when not on the boat the solar charger was disconnected. For a while I was puzzled why the batteries did not seem to be topped up when we were not using the boat for a while.. I have rewired it to the winch terminals on the battery bank which means it is still charging when the service relay is off. I leave the winch relay on but obviously can isolate the charger with this relay if I need to.

[DtM]

MKB,

Who did your solar panels ?

We are one of the other Mahes on Pittwater. Moored south of Scotland Island (2gether).

daniel

[MKB53]

Hi Daniel
The solar panel was done when Reflexion was comissioned by EC Marine in Maloolaba. I don't know who the actual suppliers were.

I have seen 2gether moored there. Will look you up if we see you on teh water.

Cheers

[Cotemar]

Jef,

I plan on using 2 SunPower230 watt Solar Panels on the davits for a 460 total.
The controller is a Blue Sky - Solar Boost 50

I have the spec. sheets for both the panels and controller that I can e-mail you if you would like.

I am having a solid stern rail fabricated right now to mount the panels to instead of the lifelines I now have. This Solid Stern Rail picture came from another Mahe on our blog.

Mark

[Cotemar]

Jef,

Had not planned on rotating the solar panels fore or aft. Just trying to duplicate what a friend of mine has on another boat. It's a solid flat mount and he has been through a few squals with no problems. The 460 watts keeps all his electronics, fridge, lights and computers going and he does not plug in or use a generator. He is currently in Bermuda and is headed around the world, so I figure if its good for his journey it will be good for mine.

Thanks for the Series 32 LED Tri-Color Anchor Light - White, 32707-7 info
I will order one for my next trip up the mast. Is it just a straight
replacement to what's up there now or will we have to modify anything?

Mark