Wiring for solar panel

[Crikey]

Thank God for that.... I thought I was going mad for a minute!

As for my age - that's on a need to know basis...

Rosco

[Catigale]

The usage of reefer took a change in the 60s for those unfortunate enough to remember them...

[sjha]

This has been a very interesting and informative thread. As the OP I thought I should summarise what I now intend to do after reading all the helpful contributions. I now have a Clamshell vent fitted in the stern of my boat - from here the wiring from the solar panel can easily pass through to the inside of the boat in the rear berth area. I am buying a 40W AKT Solar Panel Kit (which includes a regulator) and I propose to mount the panel to the boat using an NOA adjustable pole mount fitted to the aft port-side stanchion.
All I need then are some sunny days - not guaranteed here in Sweden!

[Sumner]

Sounds like you have a plan, that is good .

The following link probably won't help you out, but someone here in the states it might. SolarBlvd where I've been buying my panels has a 40 watt on sale now for $89.00.

http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Panels-& ... _info.html

I started with a 40 watt from them, but it wasn't the above one, but this one...

http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Panels-& ... _info.html

...it has worked great and maybe the $89.00 one is just as good. Anyone looking for a 40 might want to give them a call,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

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[ronacarme]

We have two 5 watt solar plates, swivel mounted on the port and stbd stern pulpits, respectively. The wire pair from each plate goes thru a separable connector sheltered under the plate and then down thru a drilled hole in the topsides above the rub strip and into the aft bunk area. A blob of silicone sealant seals the wire entry hole. Renew the silicone blob every 5 or 10 years as needed. Not pretty, but it is effective , cheap and not very noticeable ( less so now that the boat is 10 years old).
Ron

[sjha]

The solar panel project is now finished. A picture of the mounting is shown here:-

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/- ... directlink

The panel is a 26 Watt Solarmare panel. The wiring is taken into the boat through the clamshell vent shown and led under the rear berth to a regulator mounted on the aft wall of the heads as shown here:-

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g ... directlink

(The regulator is the black box in the middle of the picture - the larger unit on the right is the controller for the shore power system.)

Thanks for all the helpful and informative posts.

[Sumner]

That came out real nice and looks to be very adjustable so you should be able to get the most out of that panel. Thanks for the follow-up and have you posted pictures of the build and possibly a material's list. I think there are a lot of people out there that this size or one a little larger (40-60 watts) would really fit there needs. We need more, but most people don't,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links