Solar Wings
Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 8:25 pm
After trying a couple different places for solar panels on As You Wish 
over the years, I think I've settled on what OverEasy nick-named "solar wings". Well, "wing" for now, but I do plan to add a second one eventually.
This is a big 200 watt glass panel that has 'deck hinges' bolted through holes drilled in the frame, and then attached with assorted bimini parts to a 6+ ft stainless steel tube which in turn is attached to the stanchions with more bimini parts.
The whole thing uses quick release pins at the joints making it easy to remove when wanted. More parts bolted to the other side of the frame and some PVC-pipe legs with rubber chair feet on them pivot and swivel to prop up the panel at various angles.
This placement keeps the panel out of the way, exposed to sun, makes it real easy to clean, and allows it to fold down with the edge resting on the rub rail. I've trailered with it in this folded down position for short distances and it's a big improvement over when I had this heavy thing hanging off the back of the mast support!
When the sun is shining, this one panel lets me run my fridge, GPS, autopilot, stereo and more all day with the battery staying at 100% the whole time! Here's a screenshot of it pulling in 172 watts!
I'm using a Renogy Rover 20 amp MPPT charge controller. It lives in the storage space below the galley near my batteries.
I've got some work to do to run the power cables better so that they aren't exposed along the deck, but I think I like this well enough that I'm ready to commit to that. Next year I will probably add a second wing in parallel to this one for more power and for, you know, symmetry.
over the years, I think I've settled on what OverEasy nick-named "solar wings". Well, "wing" for now, but I do plan to add a second one eventually.This is a big 200 watt glass panel that has 'deck hinges' bolted through holes drilled in the frame, and then attached with assorted bimini parts to a 6+ ft stainless steel tube which in turn is attached to the stanchions with more bimini parts.
The whole thing uses quick release pins at the joints making it easy to remove when wanted. More parts bolted to the other side of the frame and some PVC-pipe legs with rubber chair feet on them pivot and swivel to prop up the panel at various angles.
This placement keeps the panel out of the way, exposed to sun, makes it real easy to clean, and allows it to fold down with the edge resting on the rub rail. I've trailered with it in this folded down position for short distances and it's a big improvement over when I had this heavy thing hanging off the back of the mast support!
When the sun is shining, this one panel lets me run my fridge, GPS, autopilot, stereo and more all day with the battery staying at 100% the whole time! Here's a screenshot of it pulling in 172 watts!
I'm using a Renogy Rover 20 amp MPPT charge controller. It lives in the storage space below the galley near my batteries.
I've got some work to do to run the power cables better so that they aren't exposed along the deck, but I think I like this well enough that I'm ready to commit to that. Next year I will probably add a second wing in parallel to this one for more power and for, you know, symmetry.
When the wing is 'downhill' on the heel, the legs eventually fall out and the panel folds down flat. When 'uphill' on the heel, the panel eventually gets caught by the wind and stands up vertically against the life line. Neither was a big deal, but it did inspire me to make one improvement today and gave me an idea for another improvement to make in the future.