Wiring for solar panel

[sjha]

I am intending to fit a solar panel to my Macgregor 26X. I propose to attach it to the rear port side stanchion. But I am a little stuck as to the best way to run the wiring from the panel into the boat. Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated

[K9Kampers]

To route wires thru the fiberglass above the rubrail, two products to consider for a watertight seal:

[Default User]

Hey, I'm doing the same thing.... where did you get these pics from? Do you have a link or maybe a name for these fittings so I can find them too?
Strike that---- I found the link--- Thanks for posting.
Fair Winds,
Dave

[K9Kampers]

Any major marine catalog / site will do. Top pic is called a clamshell, bottom pic is called a cable clam.

My favorite source: Hamilton Marine

[Sumner]

To route wires thru the fiberglass above the rubrail, two products to consider for a watertight seal:

I used the clam shell vent above/below...



...for the wiring for the....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-33.html

... solar panels, upper right arrow, and for other wiring and the outboard gas line. They have worked well.

here is link...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-36.html

......to how I put the vent in....



...but there are different options for that,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[bobaefa]

SJHA,
How are you planning on mounting the panel? I want to add one to my but am not sure where to add it. I was thinking about the hatch slider.

Does anyone know the dimensions of the hatch slider or the biggest model panel I could mount on the hatch? Boat is not near me so I can't measure it.

Bob

[K9Kampers]

Does anyone know the dimensions of the hatch slider or the biggest model panel I could mount on the hatch? Boat is not near me so I can't measure it.

On my hatch, the non-skid surface, while not flat, measures 31" wide by 39.25" long.

[K9Kampers]

I am intending to fit a solar panel to my Macgregor 26X. I propose to attach it to the rear port side stanchion. But I am a little stuck as to the best way to run the wiring from the panel into the boat. Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated

I have a rail mount antenna on the rear port-side stanchion for my fixed mount VHF radio in the cabin and intend to route the antenna cable thru the side of the cockpit coaming with a cable clam (as pictured above). Access to pull the cable thru is via the port-side aft-berth ceiling access panel to flotation foam, then up to the factory fuse panel location. Into my third season with it and I still have not routed the antenna cable as planned...still have it secured outside the cockpit with nylon cable clamp & ties, and routed thru the companionway to the radio. Just something else to handle when closing the hatch, but has not been a problem. You might try this for a season before making a hole while deciding the best place to mount the solar panel.

Potential drawback to mounting solar panel on aft stanchion is the whack-factor in regards to a dock post.

[sjha]

Thanks to everybody for the helpful replies. It looks like the clam shell vent is the way to go. Where would be the optimum place to fix this so that I can get access to it from the inside when running the wire through? K9campers mentions the port-side aft-berth ceiling panel as a possible access point from the inside - how easy is it to get wire to there from the rear of the boat where the clam shell vent is likely to be situated?
Bob asked about mounting the panel. I think the most efficient is a rotatable mount fastened to the aft stanchion using the sort of fixing shown here - http://www.lotorp.com/noaengelska/

[Catigale]

Clamshell vent isnt watertight of course, but I would be fine using it on top of deck or on transom up high as depicted. Make sure you seal the hole to prevent wasps etc from using it as an entrance point for nest building.

[Retcoastie]

What size panel are you considering?

[K9Kampers]

...how easy is it to get wire to there from the rear of the boat where the clam shell vent is likely to be situated?

Working on the transom light when I rewired my boat, I attached the new wire to the old wire and pulled it thru. You might consider doing it that way, and of course running a new transom light wire at the same time. Otherwise, removing / replacing some of the flotation foam blocks and use of a fish tape and Yankee Inginuity...


I like this concept...SOLAR STIK

[bobaefa]

On my hatch, the non-skid surface, while not flat, measures 31" wide by 39.25" long.

Thanks for the measurments.

I have looked at the pole mount but I am afraid of the "whack factor" as well. On the Mac if you mount it on the transom it is not going to have much room between it and the edge of the boat. When docking you would have to remove the panels or only dock on the opposite side. Sometimes wind and current have dictated which side I pull up to the dock on so this would add to, what I consider, an already stressful time.

I would be really interested to know more about where you plan on mounting it etc. I would also be curious as to price. I like both pole options above but could not find a cost. The ones I found were close to $1k without the panel.

I did like the NOA mounting system for the plow style anchor. I have never seen anything like that. I have a PVC tube right now. I am going to email them and ask about cost an a little more about how it works.

Bob

[FinallySailing]

To route wires thru the fiberglass above the rubrail, two products to consider for a watertight seal:

I broke one panel before with the gin pole , I've now got a through hull connector for mine, so I can remove all if necessary :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

There are flexible solar panels available, I've seen some wrapped and tied on the boom when moored. They are much more expensive, but you'll safe on the hassle of mounting the panel and they (hopefully) don't break as easy !

http://www.seateach.com/details.asp?ProdID=267

[Divecoz]

I've been thinking about this mod as well ( Solar Panels)
I am working through a few issues..
#1. I refuse to have my boat..... look like Fred Sanford's front porch..I know this is a No Issue for some, but I dont want MY Sailboat to look like Fred's porch..
#2. Front mount or Back?
I find no perfect location. For Maximum wattage, ease of mounting and aesthetics..
a. Front bow rail mounting looks pretty good ( Perco Deck Mount Electrical Connections) Both Unit's would swing up from Vert (storage ) to Horz. ( collection ) position.. That one might well Require a long run back to the batteries(?) PITA running wires(?) Voltage Drop Concerns (?) Issue No Issue(?)
b. Another location Is at the opposite end of the boat. Mounted on the mast crutch. Again stored Vert. ( like the rudders on a blow boat )Raised to Horz. position for use.
c. Lastly (?) DaveB's Bimini mount..? aesthetically no one would ever know it was there.. However........
Bimini mount affords the least amount of collection, as I see it , 2 smaller panels?.. Storage issues "seem" the greatest?.. What to do with the panels when the bimini is not in use?..
No matter your configuration choice , the wattage produced is never going to be so much that wiring and connections are ever a real problem as many connections are available, from Marino Perco Blue Sea, even numerous RV suppliers.. All make dozens of connections for a variety of application's and affording as well , numerous price ranges..
Aesthetics to ME... are Very Important and it appears to me a Clean Professional in Appearance , Custom made , 1 off.. Mounting System is going to be the biggest issue..AND its going to cost a few bucks to get it right..
Once you have the collection and mounting issues solved... Storage is needed , and this is NOT the time to go too cheap as well.
Good Quality batteries are Not Cheap and and how many you desire depends on your personal needs .. Quantity of batteries will raise or lower the bar for positioning these units as well.