How would you attach the solar panel to the dinghy lift

[onedakine]

I am trying to attach the solar panel to the dinghy lift. The pipes of the lift are 60mm diameter. Any ideas on what type of clamp or attachment to use. I don't want to drill into the pipes unless absolutely necessary.

Thanks for any advises.

[Suijin]

If it were me I’d make up four teak clamping blocks. Would allow you to mount it level which will also give you the best overall efficiency short of making it tiltable.

My panels are clamped to 1” stainless rails using commercially available clamps but I’ve never seen any larger than 1.25”.

You could have a fabricator make something out of stainless but it will cost a bomb.

[onedakine]

Originally Posted by Suijin

If it were me I’d make up four teak clamping blocks. Would allow you to mount it level which will also give you the best overall efficiency short of making it tiltable.

My panels are clamped to 1” stainless rails using commercially available clamps but I’ve never seen any larger than 1.25”.

You could have a fabricator make something out of stainless but it will cost a bomb.

it is a good idea to use teak. never thought about that. Thanks!

[Paul L]

We use these mounts into aluminium bar stock screwed onto the solar frames

[onedakine]

Originally Posted by Paul L

We use these mounts into aluminium bar stock screwed onto the solar frames

where do you buy them?

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by onedakine

where do you buy them?

Lots of places. The picture is from Defender
https://www.defender.com/product3.js...222&id=1365514

[TheBadger]

I used Bullbar mounts. Aluminium ( with rubber cushions). No issues in 2 years attached to bimini on SO34.2. Can rivet or bolt straight to solar panel frame.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2X-38mm-...item2a71ca93d8

[onedakine]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Lots of places. The picture is from Defender
https://www.defender.com/product3.js...222&id=1365514

I looked around but no one carries them in 60mm or 2.36"size. However they would be ideal mounts in I can find in the correct sizes. I will look more.
thanks for the link.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by onedakine

I looked around but no one carries them in 60mm or 2.36"size. However they would be ideal mounts in I can find in the correct sizes. I will look more.
thanks for the link.

How about just having a welder tack on some stainless cross bars?

[getyourbone]

316 u bolts?

https://www.uboltit.com/u-bolts/round-u-bolts.html

?

[hellosailor]

Teak, but Delrin or HDPE would be easier to machine.

[Akapeterc]

We have a frame that is attached

[RaymondR]

Hard rubber gasket in the bottom of alloy channel and 3/4" SS Band It clamps. Ifyou want channel with nice rounded corners get Square Hollow Section and split it on a table saw.

[Privilege]

Another design option...
For my 4 x 100 watt panels I had two aluminum supports made up, just wider than the davits. (I didn't need to get the welder to come to me). I affixed the rear-most one to the back end of the davits allowing them to tilt. The forward end I secured to the hull with removable pins. The original plan was to be able to tilt them into the sun but I've never felt the need to do so. They've been through two hurricane's!

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[onedakine]

thanks everyone for the great ideas. I just need to figure out what would work cost effectively.