solar on radar arch

jingram · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:08 am Post subject: solar on radar arch

Has anybody installed radar on some kind of swing out mechanism off the radar arch?

It seems like with the high arch, you could mount short panels on both the starboard and port sade and hang them in the vertical position and if they were on some kind of balljoint you could swing them out when you were on the huck to feed the house battery. This would be doable for folks with a hightop or standard top and not be impacted with a dink stored on the top.

I know this is probably an oversimplification of things, but figured I would pick your collective brains.

colobear · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:56 am Post subject:

Aurelia mounted a solar panel on the radar arch with success. Check their album I think there are pictures showing the arrangement. We have a panel attached to a lazarette hatch when we are moored or when the boat is at home, for long road travel we transfer it to to forward deck. It has made a substantial difference in keeping the house batteries charged.

jingram · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:03 am Post subject:

That is about the size panel I am picturing, but one mounted on each side of the arch and stowed in the vertical position with the ability to swing them out in a horizontal position what on the hook. I'll have to draw something up.

thataway · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 4:08 pm Post subject:

You want to see what size panel it takes to make real significance. There is a trickle charge to keep the batteries up and that is not a large panel.

I am putting a single 125 watt panel on the RV--it is about 60" long and 24" wide--weight about 30 lbs. I have not done full experiments yet, but it will be close to the minimal to run the freezer/refer chest I have. I am putting in a controller and wiring which will handle 3 of these panels. For a C Dory, this would take up most of the roof.

Think what a 30 watt panel will really get you in the way of power? A lot depend on what your power draw is--and before you go to solar, you need to know what it will be. Then size to allow for what amp draw you will need.