Solar on my cape dory 28

Northoceanbeach · Post by **Northoceanbeach** » Aug 21st, '15, 15:04

The best place I can think of is off the stern rail. I have a 125 watt panel I have started on the stern. I haven't wired it yet. It would be best to mount the swivel mount right in the center but I can't because it would hit the back stay. Does anyone have any photos of their setup. I also have a flexible panel, for a combined total of 185 watts. Is this sufficient for running a.ot of electronics but not refrigeration?

RLW · Post by **RLW** » Aug 21st, '15, 20:40

Plenty for electronics and LED lighting. Marginal for fridge unless it's really well insulated.

Paul D. · Post by **Paul D.** » Aug 22nd, '15, 11:30

I mounted our 60w panel on the stern rail aft port side opposite the grill and Lifesling. I can tip it fore or aft depending upon the sun angle and our activity in the cockpit. I also leave it outside the shrink film in the winter, tipped away from the south so it trickle charges the battery banks. We do need to mind it when swimming (Yes, one can swim in Lake Superior but shrinkage does happen.) using the stern ladder but we usually board the dinghy from the side.

I have been satisfied for 13 years with this solar panel arrangement. Though if I added another I would likely mount it over the dodger, out of the way but more involved installation.

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Aug 22nd, '15, 15:35

Onboard Rhapsody I decided to split the panels JUST in case the back stay presented an issue. I installed 2 45watt panels which provides more than enough power for her meager needs.

I thought I had a better pic & I do somewhere but IDK where. And of course I gave up "rail space" on the stearn rail & added weight where she really doesn't need it. I did compensate elsewhere for the weight

Fair Winds

Northoceanbeach · Post by **Northoceanbeach** » Aug 23rd, '15, 05:51

Thanks! Well, mine is like a long, single version of the last picture, and right now I have it mounted temporarily with the mounts on the far side, which makes it too heavy to lift reasonably. I like how you use a bar across the center. Did you out that in yourself? Did you drill it into the sides? I could see that working. Where did you get the bar? If you don't think that would work for mine, what else would? I'm starting to worry I just got a solar panel that is too. Big.

Now assuming I get this rigged right, am I correct that I only have to wire the panel to a genusun mot controller, and the controller spstraight to my battery with a 15 watt fuse inline in the red? Is that how simple it is to wire
. How are these panels for waterproffness?

hilbert · Post by **hilbert** » Aug 23rd, '15, 20:10

Does anyone have any photos of their setup.

200 watt panel forward of back stay.

Now assuming I get this rigged right, am I correct that I only have to wire the panel to a genusun mot controller, and the controller spstraight to my battery with a 15 watt fuse inline in the red?

Assuming that you are using the Genasun GV-10 (up to 140W and max 34voc), then basically yes. All battery connections should be fused as close to the battery terminal as possible (ABYC E-11 says within 7 inches) and sized to protect the attached wire from overcurrent.

How are these panels for waterproffness?

If there is no corrosion, then it will probably be ok. Some manufacturers certify their panels as having passed the salt mist corrosion test (DIN EN 61701:1995), suitable for photovoltaic
units in offshore regions and in maritime applications.

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Aug 24th, '15, 08:27

NOB I have a reply typed but the board won't let me post I'm getting error messages.....

hilbert · Post by **hilbert** » Aug 24th, '15, 08:52

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nob

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Aug 24th, '15, 10:07

Indeed Hilbert

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Aug 25th, '15, 07:17

Good Morning to All. Let's try this again!

Where the panels intersect the backstay there is a 2"-3" space. My panels are 26.25" x 16" and are aligned with the 26" length fore & aft.. This allows for the gap bewteen the panels. I mounted 1/4" aluminum bar stock to the bottem of the panels and thus the clamps to the bar stock. I have terminal fuse blocks on each battery and honestly I forget how big they are, but pretty good size.. The only thing wired to the Batts is the controler, the victron.

A very nice Senior Statesman of the Cape Dory world suggested the "U-shaped" riser. It is not screwed to anything, just affixed to the existing rail with dodger/bimini hardware and two SS U-Bolts from McMaster/Carr. IF you want to affix the "U" to the deck you'll have to contend with the crown of the deck and the legs of the U will have to be bent accordingly!

If you search this site youi'll see that John Daninic has four panels mounted at the lifelines port AND starb'd. I want to do that to counter weight issues, but right now I have to board on the port side and they would create an issue there so I have just compensated for the weight by moving stuff around.

I did not use an MPPT controller but instead used the older one (Can't recall what its called). The panels wire to the controller, the controller then goes to the batteries, then to a shunt for my Victron 600 monitor and finally from the shunt to the distribution panel in the cabin.

While I'm throughly pleased and amzaed with the effecency of panels they can be a bit of a pain ESPECIALLY when you're not accustomed to docking with Pilings! I HATE PILINGS! You have to be very careful. Also, I lost MOST of the use of the stearn rail as well, but I can live with that. I bought a 20' section of SS 1" tubing from a local dealer (Star Mechnical) and had it bent into shape. I used some local guys at a metal fabrication shop and they had never bent SS so the didn't do it quite right but it works.

Good luck with your installation and you WILL NOT regret the upgrade!

Fair Winds and I hope this helped.

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Aug 25th, '15, 07:17

Yippe it posted this time

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Aug 25th, '15, 16:57

I am struggling with were to go with some solar panels. I think it will have to be either life line mounts or something on the dodger I haven't built yet. The arch idea is great except for the interference with the wind vane and my ability to fight fish.

Hilbert, have you checked for shading with the arrangement you have? The back stay will effect things but the boom might be a killer unless you can keep it off the the side. Great location to act as a bimini.

Finally, what is up with the no handled net? I am Guessing dogie poop bags but am definitely curious, Steve.

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Aug 25th, '15, 17:24

Hey Steve

That is where I keep re-cycleables until I come to some place that re-cycles. Plastic H2O bottles & beer cans, both smashed. Just trying to do me part! Too bad all "green/clean" marinas don't recycle, but I'm sure it has to do with local cities and whether or not they have recycling programs.

Fair winds

hilbert · Post by **hilbert** » Aug 25th, '15, 18:56

Hilbert, have you checked for shading with the arrangement you have? The back stay will effect things but the boom might be a killer unless you can keep it off the the side. Great location to act as a bimini.

I haven't performed any empirical tests and there is currently no shading. I think that the back stay will have minimal impact.
I can't control shading while under sail, but when the sails are furled the boom gallows will keep the boom to either side of the panel.

The Cape Dory Board

Solar on my cape dory 28

Solar on my cape dory 28

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