Electrical

Catalina Direct Discussion Topics / Catalina 22 Discussion Area / Electrical / Easy Solar Panel Installation
 
 
Author Easy Solar Panel Installation
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.
 
 
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Catalina Direct Discussion Topics / Catalina 22 Discussion Area / Electrical / Easy Solar Panel Installation