440: Our Solution To Mounting 750-Watts Of Solar

[Lagoon4us]

We wanted tilting panels from the outset, also i wanted the view outback to be clear and unrestricted.

The panels have 5 positions with draw pins a bit like an outboard engine tilt pin. I placed the cabling at the forward end so they can go through glands in the cabin roof. The small stands are diagonally braced and through bolted, the ends of the panels have SS saddles where i'll connect some heavy bungee so if the mainsheet flails it cannot hook on the corners.

All the white is aluminium powder coated the rest in polished 316#. The surprise was the panels being white beneath which saves me from covering, i'll mount a light there for fishing.

The flat area's on the sides and between the small towers allowed me to mount gaffs and boathooks/

It's 'work in progress' as i'm still waiting for cables to arrive and crimps, just takes longer here!!!!

[krafthaus]

Nice! Keep 'em coming.

[Jimbo485]

You selling a generator now, Frank?
Nice job!

[Lagoon4us]

Thanks, keeping off the diesel is the aim, Aussie sun will likely give me 250+ amps per day my intent is to run only solar into Lithium of 400 amps, just awaiting the delivery of the cells now. Hoping to modify usage to give self sufficiency.

Cheers

[Cotemar]

Very nice install. Great Job.
Pictures tell it all

[levm]

Very nice setup. The most expensive gaff stand, but definitely worth it.

[careka]

Looks very nice.
but al the ropes going over the Flexsi type on the roof, how much power do you loose on that ?

[Lagoon4us]

That's the original stuff from new, i never fitted the Flexible ones only the tilting array.
Although that flexible stuff puts out a good 10 ampere which suits the engine start batteries quite nicely.

The tilting array is 750 watts @ 32volts through the MPPT should be quite enough for our needs.
Cheers

[Teknav]

Now if you can configure these panels to always be facing SOUTH no matter what your boat's direction is, you will have it made!; a rotating azimuth/base, perhaps. And with 750W...I'd be barbecueing...umm...nevermind! <Can't help it being a wicked EE> Mauritz

[Lagoon4us]

Originally Posted by Teknav

Now if you can configure these panels to always be facing SOUTH no matter what your boat's direction is, you will have it made!; a rotating azimuth/base, perhaps. And with 750W...I'd be barbecueing...umm...nevermind! <Can't help it being a wicked EE> Mauritz

Ahhhh in my world the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, hence head west young man......

[careka]

What type/brand, are they ? 3 x 250 ?

[Lagoon4us]

They are REC250PE's so 750 watts total, good pricing and available from an Aussie here in Croatia, this is the website Renewable Energy Corporation - Solar Energy - REC

[Surfer Girl]

That's a great design Frank! Those panels are so small for an output of 250W each! I have been trying to come up with a plan to fit 700+ watts of solar panels here in St Martin but the maximum watt panels available here are 240W but they are 1640 x 985 - too big!

I think I will be copying your design

[Surfer Girl]

Whoops! I should've read the technical specs first....

Your panels are actually bigger - 1655 x 991! They look smaller in your photos!

But anyhow, a good design and mounting solution for the L440!

[nimblemotors]

Looks like a very sturdy mount, guess you need it to hold up almost 54kg,
how much weight in the mounting?