LuckeCatanias
Member
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2025
- Messages
- 42
- Reaction score
- 8
- Location
- Edmonds
- C Dory Year
- 2005
- C Dory Model
- 25 Cruiser
- Hull Identification Number
- CD025115D505
- Vessel Name
- Pearl
Finished installing a new solar array on my 2005 25 Cruiser.
The old panels sat directly on top of the house and the wiring went through the side of the house on the starboard side.
I didn't like this arrangement -- didn't work with a dinghy mounted on the house and the wiring going in through the side of the house wasn't my favorite.
I do really love having solar on the boat -- it makes living off the hook so much more enjoyable.
The new panels are a pair of 140W Bifacial panels (LS140WM1012V) from Lumera Solar.
They are mounted on my radar arch either side of the radar. This model is a "long and skinny" configuration to fit the space.
The fittings attached to the arch tubing are some aluminum billet motorcycle handlebar extenders from Amazon.
I supported the panels with some 6061-T6 aluminum channel extrusion.
Installed rivet nuts to allow minimum clearance installation -- I felt I needed to keep the installation below the scanning level of the radar.
All 316 SS upgraded fasteners throughout.
Galvanically isolated the entire support assy from the arch.
Installed all hardware with marine grease to reduce galvanic corrosion and prevent seizing.
I ran the wiring through the arch tubing after cutting in some new access holes.
New wiring has an abrasion resistant mesh sleeve with heat-shrink reinforcements at access holes plus rubber grommets to reduce/eliminate chafe.
I'll be re-mounting the solar controller to below the galley to eliminate all extra through holes from the old installation.
Overall I'm really happy with the look and final installation.
Interrupts the lines of the boat much less and clears up the top of the house for a dinghy.
Eliminating all visible wires is also very nice.
Please ignore the first photo which does not have the final connections made, I forgot to take a photo from this perspective at final installation.
The old panels sat directly on top of the house and the wiring went through the side of the house on the starboard side.
I didn't like this arrangement -- didn't work with a dinghy mounted on the house and the wiring going in through the side of the house wasn't my favorite.
I do really love having solar on the boat -- it makes living off the hook so much more enjoyable.
The new panels are a pair of 140W Bifacial panels (LS140WM1012V) from Lumera Solar.
They are mounted on my radar arch either side of the radar. This model is a "long and skinny" configuration to fit the space.
The fittings attached to the arch tubing are some aluminum billet motorcycle handlebar extenders from Amazon.
I supported the panels with some 6061-T6 aluminum channel extrusion.
Installed rivet nuts to allow minimum clearance installation -- I felt I needed to keep the installation below the scanning level of the radar.
All 316 SS upgraded fasteners throughout.
Galvanically isolated the entire support assy from the arch.
Installed all hardware with marine grease to reduce galvanic corrosion and prevent seizing.
I ran the wiring through the arch tubing after cutting in some new access holes.
New wiring has an abrasion resistant mesh sleeve with heat-shrink reinforcements at access holes plus rubber grommets to reduce/eliminate chafe.
I'll be re-mounting the solar controller to below the galley to eliminate all extra through holes from the old installation.
Overall I'm really happy with the look and final installation.
Interrupts the lines of the boat much less and clears up the top of the house for a dinghy.
Eliminating all visible wires is also very nice.
Please ignore the first photo which does not have the final connections made, I forgot to take a photo from this perspective at final installation.