SUPER smart. I’ve been trying to figure this out, too. I’m modifying an old wood runabout and following Peter Sripol’s Infinite Range Boat project. The magnet solution is perfect as I won’t be going very fast. It’ll all be electric.
We had 4 Sunpower panels mounted on our canvas cockpit cover last year, mounted with those same magnets, 6 locations per panel. I was a bit unsure of how they would do while we hit 40 knots, as rare as that is, but even after a whole season of bouncing over waves, very tough seas and several trips at over 30 knots, they didn’t budge at all. This year, we’ve moved them up on the flybridge bimini, with the same setup. Ours is a bit different in that we used one magnet with the hole in it on top of a stainless steel fender washer on each side of the grommet in the panel, so one on top and one on the bottom x 6 grommets in the panels, so 12 magnets on each panel. For the underside, my wife made little rectangular black fabric pouches that each contain 2 of the magnets, except no holes in those ones. This makes attaching and removing them super easy and they are basically invisible on the black canvas. The panels are holding firmly and they get much more sun than being mounted over the cockpit. I may add a couple of panels over the cockpit anyway, for those cloudy days when recharging after using our coffee maker and induction cooktop is slower. I remove our panels for the winter. Thanks for making this video! Cheers!
Doug, did you experience any issues with them rusting at all? I used the black version of them and after two months mine were starting to stain the bimini fabric with rust.
@@josephgadoury1057 that is a possibility with these magnets, but so far, we have not had any issues with staining the fabrics. We remove the panels for the winters, but I do believe that painting over them with some epoxy paint might help. The steel parts of the rivets also tend to rust if not painted.
My only concern is the bend in the middle. How will those angles affect your power generation compared to a flat surface, or better yet a tilted surface to maximize sun angle? I am anxious to see your average watt numbers.
Yes I have relocated the panels to solve that problem. on the final install and wiring video. I can't wait to get a meter that will read wattage coming out of the PA
I installed flexible solar panels on my Bimini. I used special canvas fasteners from Sailrite and they work great. There is no issue with drilling in the non cell margin of the panel using a special drill for plastic. I have noted my panels starting to look dull after one year. Doubt they will make it three years. Also think it is better to not have a hard spot mid panel where it crosses your Bimini support. Suspect that will further shorten the life span.
This looks like a great idea. However, according to Raymarine, magnets should be 2-5 feet from a raydome and as long as the magnets are not within the radar sweep (usually 12.5 degrees up and down from the horizontal plane. The magnets can also affect a heading sensor and a compass if too close. If a Quantum system is used whereby a wifi system is used on a Radome, the magnets system is not recommended because of potential interference. I wanted to use the magnet system on my boat, a Bayliner 3288, but abandoned the idea based on Raymarine’s feedback. It may well work on other boats based on the suggested parameters.
I remember when you said you’re going to use magnets, and this looks like a great set up. 👍 I’m loving the convenience with no holes, but I’m still dubious about something like 70 mph winds?
Yes! Thank you! I do have a plan for that. If I know I was going to have really big winds I would just remove the panels takes about an hour. but 50 MPH winds I am just going to put a furniture pad over them and a couple straps
![30 ชั่วโมงคนเดียว บนรถไฟชั้น 3 โซเวียต [Around The World Ep. 2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MlE9boAVqDA/mqdefault.jpg)
Nice work. I can’t wait for part 3 and the end result. I hope the solar panels help on your adventure.
Working on it! The system still has a long ways to go but its a start
Pretty slick, Slick. I’m impressed. Anxious to see what kind of results you get.
Yes me too so far so good
SUPER smart. I’ve been trying to figure this out, too. I’m modifying an old wood runabout and following Peter Sripol’s Infinite Range Boat project. The magnet solution is perfect as I won’t be going very fast. It’ll all be electric.
Ya in the end I didn’t like them and have removed them all together. The panels were arable and the magnet failed in big wind
We had 4 Sunpower panels mounted on our canvas cockpit cover last year, mounted with those same magnets, 6 locations per panel. I was a bit unsure of how they would do while we hit 40 knots, as rare as that is, but even after a whole season of bouncing over waves, very tough seas and several trips at over 30 knots, they didn’t budge at all. This year, we’ve moved them up on the flybridge bimini, with the same setup. Ours is a bit different in that we used one magnet with the hole in it on top of a stainless steel fender washer on each side of the grommet in the panel, so one on top and one on the bottom x 6 grommets in the panels, so 12 magnets on each panel. For the underside, my wife made little rectangular black fabric pouches that each contain 2 of the magnets, except no holes in those ones. This makes attaching and removing them super easy and they are basically invisible on the black canvas. The panels are holding firmly and they get much more sun than being mounted over the cockpit. I may add a couple of panels over the cockpit anyway, for those cloudy days when recharging after using our coffee maker and induction cooktop is slower. I remove our panels for the winter. Thanks for making this video! Cheers!
Doug, did you experience any issues with them rusting at all? I used the black version of them and after two months mine were starting to stain the bimini fabric with rust.
@@josephgadoury1057 that is a possibility with these magnets, but so far, we have not had any issues with staining the fabrics. We remove the panels for the winters, but I do believe that painting over them with some epoxy paint might help. The steel parts of the rivets also tend to rust if not painted.
My only concern is the bend in the middle. How will those angles affect your power generation compared to a flat surface, or better yet a tilted surface to maximize sun angle? I am anxious to see your average watt numbers.
Yes I have relocated the panels to solve that problem. on the final install and wiring video. I can't wait to get a meter that will read wattage coming out of the PA
I installed flexible solar panels on my Bimini. I used special canvas fasteners from Sailrite and they work great. There is no issue with drilling in the non cell margin of the panel using a special drill for plastic. I have noted my panels starting to look dull after one year. Doubt they will make it three years. Also think it is better to not have a hard spot mid panel where it crosses your Bimini support. Suspect that will further shorten the life span.
Yes I have moved them now thanks for the heads up.
This looks like a great idea. However, according to Raymarine, magnets should be 2-5 feet from a raydome and as long as the magnets are not within the radar sweep (usually 12.5 degrees up and down from the horizontal plane. The magnets can also affect a heading sensor and a compass if too close. If a Quantum system is used whereby a wifi system is used on a Radome, the magnets system is not recommended because of potential interference. I wanted to use the magnet system on my boat, a Bayliner 3288, but abandoned the idea based on Raymarine’s feedback. It may well work on other boats based on the suggested parameters.
no video yet on the wiring? just bought this solar setup and looking forward to seeing it finished.
John that video will come out next. did you do flex panels?
What rare earth magnets are you using? How have they held up in the wind?
This was a failed test I would not recommend doing this. My panels came off in high wind
Thank you for that info…. You just saved me heartache and aggravation…. Lol
looking good
Thank you! Cheers!
I remember when you said you’re going to use magnets, and this looks like a great set up. 👍 I’m loving the convenience with no holes, but I’m still dubious about something like 70 mph winds?
Yes! Thank you! I do have a plan for that. If I know I was going to have really big winds I would just remove the panels takes about an hour. but 50 MPH winds I am just going to put a furniture pad over them and a couple straps
@@NoRegretsLifestyle that should work great 👍
After 5months hows it holding up?
They are doing OK had a big wind the other day and i through a line across them but the wind was 50 plus
You missed the link to the panel kit you got 😀
Thanks will add the link
Quite a bit of static sound in the audio Paul. Interesting video.
Yes think I fixed it thanks
"300 watt panels" ...not even close, you were ripped off.
Yes they sucked