REPLACING SOLAR PANEL ON TYPHOON

[NINASIMMERS]

Recent '76 Typhoon purchased has old solar panel screwed
to aft deck. Want to replace, but new one does not match up
(would need to drill new holes - do not want to do that).
What advice for replacing/installing the new slightly larger
solar panel. See photo at http://photobucket.com/RoxieSolarPanel

Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! NINA

[Joe M]

Nina & Todd: I guess it all depends on how far off the new holes are from the old ones. If they are basically in-line with the old holes my suggestion would be 1/4 inch stainless or aluminum strips or a plate. Mark the old and new holes. Counter sink the mounting bolts so the heads are flush with the panel. Mount the new panel with the recessed bolt heads from the bottom and mount the plate to the deck with the recessed bolts from the top. This will get everything as close to the deck as possible. I would suggest some rubber grommets between the plate and the deck to keep water from sitting in there long term. If you have the tools you could tap the mounting holes so the panel is easily removable. Good Luck, Joe

[barfwinkle]

Personally, I'd fill those holes and find/devise/scheme another way to mount the panel. I hate holes in decks.

Pretty boat.

Fair Winds

[Jim Buck]

On my TY open daysailer I mounted the solar charge controller inside the forward hatch and mounted a four lug receptacle next to the hatch connected to the controller. This was the only hole I had to drill in the deck. To this I connect the cable leading from the solar panel which is mounted on the dock's vertical post. This could be problematic if you are on a mooring or if the marina doesn't allow any dock "modifications". I find it quite convenient to unscrew the cable connection and hang the cable from a hook on the post. My battery is at full charge when I cast off and then recharged when I return to the dock.

I mounted the panel to a flat board then mounted the board at a southerly angle atop a piece of 2x4 which is screwed to the dock's wooden post. Plastic cable ties make for nice and neat control of the cable and there is plenty of slack to accommodate fluctuating water levels. Worked great all last year. Hope this helps.

[Markst95]

I would think a bracket would be the best option, align it up with the old holes and then fix the new solar panel to it. You could make it easily removable so you can remove it if you want while sailing. Possibly even move it to the motor mount with a swivel mount to catch the sun better? What do you use the panel for? If you only use it while on the boat there are some nice rolling or folding panels that might work.

[Dick Villamil]

Judging from the rust around the mounting bolt the panel may be an older one - in that case I would certainly remove the panel and fill the holes since there may have been some water leakage around the mounting bolts and there may be a soggy balsa core that needs to be dried out. Newer panels may be stronger and smaller. I keep my Ty battery topped off with a portable solar panel that I place next to the companionway hatch - or even in the cockpit while away. No holes, cable fits nicely between companionway hatch and pen boards - no holes, temporary location so the deck is clear for sailing. Just my 2 cents worth. By the way, what is her hull # - I have a '76 ty also!

[Bob B]

We just put ours on the companionway hatch and use the suction cups on the solar pannel to attach it. When we don't need it, I store it below.

Bob B.
CD Typhoon, Liberty
Lancaster, SC