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15-03-2012, 04:14
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sunny Scotland but sail in the Caribbean
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 461
Posts: 336
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Ditching Solar Panel Frame
Thinking of building a hard dodger (either GRP/FRP foam sandwich or Epoxy covered Ply) for Highland Fling and thinking that large part of the top surface could be Solar. So thinking can i remove the frames and insert the bare solar panels in a suitable sized recess in the top of the dodger bedded on some silicone or other sealant - maybe with a small bead (Wood/GRP/Alloy) also retaining them....what thinks you?
__________________
Now with 600AH of LIFEPO4
kindest regards
David
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15-03-2012, 04:19
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Newcastle, Australia
Boat: Compass 47
Posts: 65
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
keep the frames !
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15-03-2012, 04:38
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: We're technically refugees from our home in Yemen now living in Lebenon
Boat: 1978 CT48
Posts: 5,964
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
From what I understand, air circulation under the cells is good for helping to keep them cool..I looked into laminating cells on my dodger some years back and the general concensis then was that the heat would be a problem.
Until now I have no PV on my boat, so take it for what its worth.
__________________
James
S/V Arctic Lady
I love my boat, I can't afford not to!
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15-03-2012, 07:36
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sunny Scotland but sail in the Caribbean
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 461
Posts: 336
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
Quote:
Originally Posted by James S
From what I understand, air circulation under the cells is good for helping to keep them cool..I looked into laminating cells on my dodger some years back and the general concensis then was that the heat would be a problem.
Until now I have no PV on my boat, so take it for what its worth.
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Understanding air circulation vis a vis solar panels I was going to have the bottom of the cells open being part of the roof not encapsulate them into the top of the dodger. It seems lots of cats now have them integrated into their biminis.
__________________
Now with 600AH of LIFEPO4
kindest regards
David
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15-03-2012, 07:37
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sunny Scotland but sail in the Caribbean
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 461
Posts: 336
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
Quote:
Originally Posted by Panaseaya
keep the frames !
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WHY what benefit will i get and what do you see as the downside of removing the frames?
__________________
Now with 600AH of LIFEPO4
kindest regards
David
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15-03-2012, 07:48
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: We're technically refugees from our home in Yemen now living in Lebenon
Boat: 1978 CT48
Posts: 5,964
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
If you don't plan on stepping on it, why not.
May get some heat radiation from the bottom.
__________________
James
S/V Arctic Lady
I love my boat, I can't afford not to!
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15-03-2012, 07:49
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,145
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
Corrosion will happen unless it's COMPLETELY sealed.
__________________
The question is not, "Who will let me?"
The question is,"Who is going to stop me?"
Ayn Rand
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15-03-2012, 07:55
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: We're technically refugees from our home in Yemen now living in Lebenon
Boat: 1978 CT48
Posts: 5,964
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
I'm not sure the frame actually seals it...I think the cells are already sealed before the assembly of the glass and frame...otherwise they would look more like a thermal pain window with nitrogen of argon inside wouldn't they?
__________________
James
S/V Arctic Lady
I love my boat, I can't afford not to!
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15-03-2012, 07:57
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: ‘01 Catana 401
Posts: 9,626
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
Why not, buy a cheap panel and take it apart to be sure this will work
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15-03-2012, 08:00
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: PNW
Boat: custom teak ketch 48' Eastwind
Posts: 607
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
Why not contact the solar panel manufacturer and see what they think.
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15-03-2012, 08:12
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philippines in the winters
Boat: It’s in French Polynesia now
Posts: 11,368
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
I don't have panels yet, but I've heard any shading of the panel (the boom) greatly reduces the out put. That's why you see most panels hung over the side, back or an arch.
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/30.htm
__________________
Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
The measure of a man is how he navigates to a proper shore in the midst of a storm!
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15-03-2012, 08:35
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sunny Scotland but sail in the Caribbean
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 461
Posts: 336
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
Quote:
Originally Posted by delmarrey
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We have two swivelling mounted100W panels on a dedicated solar panel frame at the aft end of the boat and will be putting two more on top of the bimini.......either 135W or 185W Kyocera panels. I was thinking maybe replace the two 100W with three 135W ones then I was thinking there might be room for the two 100W panels integrated into a hard dodger.
Going sailing soon so less time to think about these things
__________________
Now with 600AH of LIFEPO4
kindest regards
David
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15-03-2012, 09:10
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: ‘01 Catana 401
Posts: 9,626
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
We've got two on the dodger, useless sailing closehauled. At anchor, with the boom off to the side....wonderful.
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15-03-2012, 09:23
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: On the Boat
Boat: Fortuna, Island Spirit 400, 40ft. Catamaran - S/V One White Tree
Posts: 179
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
I was thinking of replacing my soft bimini with solar panels but keepiing them in their frames and simply suspending them with their top surface flush with the current bimini frame. I would then frame around the panels to make it watertight with a thin marine ply or fiberglass.
I currently (pun) have 770 watts but could increase this to around 2 Kilowatts.
__________________
"And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over."
John Masefield
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15-03-2012, 09:34
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,145
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Re: Ditching Solar Panel Frame
2KW?
Are you going to start smelting aluminum?
__________________
The question is not, "Who will let me?"
The question is,"Who is going to stop me?"
Ayn Rand
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