Paul David Melbourne Australia
Boat Name: Reflections
Model/Year: 1986
Hull No. 13369
Hailing Port: Melbourne Australia |
02/01/2004 2:06 PM Pacific Time
I'd like to share with you the results of my latest project. After reading what others have done to mount a rigid solar panel, mostly involving some sort of swing arm, and trying a temporary fixture myself, I found what is for me an easy, tidy solution.
I've relocated my rigid 20 watt solar panel (it has a metal frame) on the weekend to my stern rail, simply by using the kettle barbecue clamp available at most chandleries. It's better than a normal two-part rail clamp in that it has a lever to tighten and loosen, and no tools are required to move or remove the panel once the clamp is installed. Another neat feature is that both sides of the part that clamps onto the rail are captive, so that you don't wind up losing one half in the drink.
All I had to do was bolt a cross bar in the middle of the back of the panel, then bolt the rail clamp to it. It was a half hour job from whoa to go, and works great.
Paul |
Mark Dauphinais Harvest, AL
Boat Name: SoJourner
Model/Year: 1988
Hull No. 14412
Hailing Port: Rogersville, AL |
02/03/2004 1:12 PM Pacific Time
Paul,
Can you provide some pictures? Perhaps you can send them to one of the groups websites.
Thanks,
Mark |
Thomas G. Guydos California
Boat Name: Sandee
Model/Year: C-22 1978
Hull No. 8351
Hailing Port: Morro Bay. California |
02/12/2004 1:33 PM Pacific Time
My solar panel seems to over charg my large batt, is there
a reg. I need.
thanks Tom |
David Devine Bradford, MA
Boat Name: Advent
Model/Year: 1976
Hull No. 5812
Hailing Port: Chatham, MA |
02/13/2004 6:05 AM Pacific Time
Paul - would you be able to post a picture of how you rigged up the panel?
Cheers
Dave |
Paul David Melbourne Australia
Boat Name: Reflections
Model/Year: 1986
Hull No. 13369
Hailing Port: Melbourne Australia |
03/08/2004 9:30 PM Pacific Time
I tried to post the picture to Randy Wahfeldt's website but it is inactive. Let me know where to send the photo and I will.
|
Erv Zimmerman Anchor Bay Shores, Michigan
Boat Name: Adventuring
Model/Year: 1973
Hull No. 1787
Hailing Port: Anchor Bay, Lake St. Clair |
03/10/2004 12:08 AM Pacific Time
If you want you can send it to me and I will put it on the Fleet 130 Website. A caption or short paragraph explaining the photos is helpful, but not required. For a sample go to: http://www.fleet130.org/boatphotos/autohelm.htm
Send the photos to: [email protected]
Erv Zimmerman
Adventuring C-22 #1787
http://www.fleet130.org/
http://www.crcasail.org/ |
Bob Vick Caldwell, TX
Boat Name: Over Keel
Model/Year: <1985
Hull No. 13059
Hailing Port: Lake Somerville |
03/10/2004 5:38 AM Pacific Time
David,
You have to email the file/picture to Randy W. & he will post them. |
Erv Zimmerman Anchor Bay Shores, Michigan
Boat Name: Adventuring
Model/Year: 1973
Hull No. 1787
Hailing Port: Anchor Bay, Lake St. Clair |
03/13/2004 12:29 PM Pacific Time
I've added your photo and comments to the fleet130 website at: http://www.fleet130.org/technotes/electrical/solar/index.htm . In the process I reorganized the Tech Notes section so old links may no longer work. Please let me know if you have any additional suggestions and thanks
for the contribution.
Life's a Breeze!
Erv Zimmerman
Adventuring C-22 #1787
http://www.fleet130.org
http://www.crcasail.org/
|
Greg Guenther Belleville, IL
Boat Name: Magnificat
Model/Year: 1970
Hull No. 473
Hailing Port: Belleville, IL |
10/20/2006 11:39 AM Pacific Time
Tom,
No one seems to have answered your question. Depending on the output of your solar panel you will need a regulator. Over charging a battery is a sure way to kill it. Check with Catalina Direct or another good source is West Marine. They have lots of info on their website.
I am struggling with where to mount a panel on my boat. I don't have a stern pulpit and don't really want to put one on top of my cabin. I will probably step on the thing.
Good luck,
Greg
Greg |
Pam Slaton Gainesville, GA
Boat Name:
Model/Year:
Hull No.
Hailing Port: Lake Lanier |
01/22/2010 7:28 PM Pacific Time
test |
Linda Hoffecker Lancaster, PA
Boat Name: t/c
Model/Year: '82 Cat 22
Hull No. t/c
Hailing Port: Havre de Grace, MD |
01/22/2010 11:10 PM Pacific Time
Hi Pam,
Your test worked!
Linda |
Lynn Buchanan Nevada City, CA
Boat Name: SAILYNN
Model/Year: SWING 1984
Hull No. 11994
Hailing Port: SCOTTS FLAT LAKE, CA |
01/23/2010 8:02 PM Pacific Time
hi pam, your test worked but kind of in a weird topic area. |
Louis Plaisance PRAIRIEVILLE, LA
Boat Name: Saint Benedict
Model/Year: C22/1988
Hull No. 14686
Hailing Port: Lake PONTCHARTRAIN, LA |
01/25/2010 4:49 PM Pacific Time
Hello Paul,
There is a very active Catalina 22 chat group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/catalina22/
I am sure you will know many of them from previous similar groups you have posted to.
ljp
Saint Benedict, sk/14686
|
Nancy Varvil Fayetteville, Arkansas
Boat Name: Cha-Ching
Model/Year: 1981
Hull No. 10448
Hailing Port: Beaver Lake, Arkansas |
01/26/2010 6:18 AM Pacific Time
My boat has a flexible solar battery charger that is mounted to the battery in the keel cable compartment and connected by a cable that goes through a small V in the bottom of the lowest hatch board out into the cockpit area. I just leave the panel there, tilted up while I'm gone and when I'm on the boat, put the panel away and below. The battery is always charged when I arrive. It's probably not enough to operate from, just to keep the battery charged. Was installed by Jim Johnstone, previous owner. |