Ed, and others who might be interested: I’ve seen a number of installations of flex panels on biminis, using velcro, grommets and tied line, etc, etc. As installing the panels is sometimes the hardest part of installing solar, many people opt for the soft panels. I’ve done a fair amount of research on this recently and am well into installing a solar power system on my ‘other’ boat.
Due to what I’ve learned about failures with soft panels (overheating is one issue - and when a cell short circuits it can burn a hole in your Bimini which could start a dangerous fire) I’m going with rigid panels. These must be mounted to allow air to circulate under the panel to keep them from overheating. I found a clever piece of hardware called a ‘side mount’ from Gemini http://www.geminiproducts.net/solar-mounts/ which enables you to erect a frame from s.s. tubes above your Bimini to support the panels. Attached is a pic of my work in progress - this rack hold 2 x 100 watt panels and will accommodate 1 more if decide to expand it. I’m using rail clamps - 4 per panel - to secure the panels which can be removed easily when necessary.
Note this pic is at very preliminary stages, and the Bimini in the pic is being replaced. It will have sewn and reinforced openings for the slide mounts to poke through. The Bimini can be installed or removed by unscrewing the screw-post from the side mounts one at a time to tuck the canvas in or out.
I found a good source of 7/8" s.s. tubes at Metal Supermarket (Canada retail chain) for about 25% of what you pay at a yacht chandlery. The polish is not quite as high as ‘marine grade’, but the tubes are very good quality and plenty strong enough for this application. All construction is done with standard marine rail fittings (T’s and 90’s) running $8 - $15 a piece. The Gemini side mounts are a bit more, but you typically only need 4 of these. I’ve used 1” tubing from the same source to replace the upper lifelines around the cockpit on this ‘other’ boat too.
Recently I joined a FB group called ‘Solar on a Boat’ which has become my go-to source for info from people with far more knowledge and experience than I have. I would recommend this FB group to anyone who is considering a solar installation or just wants to learn about it.
Cheers,
Greg Silver
Misty Cat Nonsuch 26C #121
And No Rush, Niagara 35 #86
St. Peter’s, Cape Breton
Ed Strazzini <edstrazzini@gmail.com>: Mar 30 11:32PM -0400
I have to wonder if you’ve given thought to putting the flex panels on your Bimini top.
Sent from my iPad
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