It seems like every time I’m considering a new project for my boat, a search turns up one of your videos doing the exact same thing…AIS, solar, inverter, never fails. Thanks for putting out such quality content. Really good stuff 👍
This is brilliant thank you very much. Super clear and exactly what we would like to do as we can not afford the 12K quoted to construct a solar arch on our yacht.
Whoa yeah, you got that right. Nothing is ever simple on an old sailboat, but these days with a little internet research it's not too hard to to find multiple solutions to the problem I was trying to solve. However, once I get my hands on it, it gets even less simple. Thanks for watching and thank you for the comment. for the comment, and thank you for watching.
I want to thank you again. You seem to be reading my mind and putting videos out which are about things I want to know. Appreciate it! Keep up the good work!
No, thank you man. We always appreciate all the feedback we get from our videos, and especially when someone finds something useful we did that they can apply to their own boat projects. Thanks again for watching!!
Great installation! I just did the same aboard my boat. It is really a terrific upgrade. Question: Could you show the components of the slide support pole you used. Well done, I love the idea! I wish to do the same. How does it swivel at the panel end?? Enjoying your videos immensely. Thanks for sharing! Dan.
HI Dan, thanks for watching and commenting. I bought a couple of these 360 degree rotating brackets and also the take-apart sliding rail clamps from Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/S3684-0000.html www.bosunsupplies.com/7-8-Inch-Stainless-Steel-Heavy-Duty-Take-Apart-Slide.html . The support poles are 7/8" rail tube from West Marine, and that's also where I got the tube-end eye fittings, but those are also available at Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/bimini-fittings-top-caps-slides/ . I had to do a bit of grinding on the eye fittings to make them articulate correctly. The "arm lock" on the sliding lower rail clamp came with a 6mm Allen head bolt but I wanted to be able to adjust it without tools so I purchased a couple of long partial threaded bolts from McMaster-Carr, cut off the hex head, and heated them with a propane torch in order to bend them into almost a 90 degree angle for locking down the adjusting arm. We have a few pictures on Instagram showing more detail of how it's all put together: instagram.com/sv_rambleon/
@@svrambleon Rich, my railings have some curve, yours appear to a little too. Was getting the panels mounted a function of moving the white mounts up or down on the flat stock to get them to be”level”. Thanks. I dig your work!!
Thnkas for a great video At around 4:37 you show an adjustable bracket to hold panel; out from boat. What bracket is this and the source. Is it a split or open jaw to go over already installed tubing
Hey Marco, I used a combination of Bimini-top hardware and tubing from Bosunsupply.com. I had to do some experimentation to make everything articulate correctly, and the shape of our stern made the mounting a little difficult.
Here's what we've posted in the comments previously. I don't know if the links are any good anymore. I bought a couple of these 360 degree rotating brackets and also the take-apart sliding rail clamps from Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/S3684-0000.html www.bosunsupplies.com/7-8-Inch-Stainless-Steel-Heavy-Duty-Take-Apart-Slide.html . The support poles are 7/8" rail tube from West Marine, and that's also where I got the tube-end eye fittings, but those are also available at Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/bimini-fittings-top-caps-slides/ . I had to do a bit of grinding on the eye fittings to make them articulate correctly. The "arm lock" on the sliding lower rail clamp came with a 6mm Allen head bolt but I wanted to be able to adjust it without tools so I purchased a couple of long partial threaded bolts from McMaster-Carr, cut off the hex head, and heated them with a propane torch in order to bend them into almost a 90 degree angle for locking down the adjusting arm.
Really Doug? Got a "charge"? I just spewed coffee on my keyboard... This is the best solar mount I could come up with considering that I don't prefer arches on the stern of a Tayana 37. One of our T-Group members (Charisma) had a similar solar set up, and based on limited photos and information, this was my attempt at replicating something that wouldn't have too much shading from sails, boom, shrouds, etc. At 10:19 am Pacific time, 38 degrees north latitude on 4-8-19 we're making 250 watts with the panes pointed as close to the sun as I can get them. The sun is approximately 30 degrees to the south of top dead center, and our slip where I'm tied is facing bow-on to 165 degrees.
@@svrambleon I do hope you had a protective cover over said, key board. I did like the sliding support arrangement. Have never researched solar panel installation so it was interested in seeing your approach.
Hi Stephen - We responded to this same question a few months ago. Here's the info. Thanks for watching! I bought a couple of these 360-degree rotating brackets and also the take-apart sliding rail clamps from Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/S3684-0000.html www.bosunsupplies.com/7-8-Inch-Stainless-Steel-Heavy-Duty-Take-Apart-Slide.html . The support poles are 7/8" rail tube from West Marine, and that's also where I got the tube-end eye fittings, but those are also available at Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/bimini-fittings-top-caps-slides/ . I had to do a bit of grinding on the eye fittings to make them articulate correctly. The "arm lock" on the sliding lower rail clamp came with a 6mm Allen head bolt but I wanted to be able to adjust it without tools so I purchased a couple of long partial threaded bolts from McMaster-Carr, cut off the hex head, and heated them with a propane torch in order to bend them into almost a 90-degree angle for locking down the adjusting arm. We have a few pictures on Instagram showing more detail of how it's all put together: instagram.com/sv_rambleon/
Hi there, don't know if you check your comments on old videos, but I have a question; what are the white brackets you used to attach the panels to the stainless pushpit rod? Thanks etc. Chris
I have the canoe stern issue as well, 2001 Pacific Seacraft 34. I have 2x 175w flexible solar panels on my bimini. I’m planning on upgrading my battery bank to 300-400AH of LiFePO4 this summer. I’m stealing this idea! Best rail-mounting system I’ve seen. Is the toggle/clamp fixture something standard or did you make it? Thanks!
Hi. The railings you added between your stern pulpit and stanchion appear to use fittings. Can you tell me where you got the fittings, or what you actually did to make the connections? I can't find any and I need to do the same thing.
Hey Bill, I added the solar rails a few years ago when we replaced our lifelines and on our boat, the stanchions have ring welded to the top and sides of the posts. 7/8" tube fit inside those rings so we used regular Bimini hardware and s.s. tube from West Marine to construct the rail extensions. I had to do some custom bending of the tube to make it fit the curve of the canoe stern, and you can read a bit more about that on or website: svrambleon.com/new-lifelines-solar-panel-rails/ For the solar mounts I used 1/4" thick 1-1/2" wide aluminum bar stock from a local supplier, but you could get that from onlinemetals.com . The plastic clamps are Sea Dog rail clamps I got on Amazon, and some more 7/8" bar and Bimini hardware from West Marine for the articulating support arm. But here's the kick: in order to make the support arm articulate correctly, I bought a couple of these 360 degree rotating brackets from Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/S3684-0000.html . I also had to do some custom grinding on all the other hardware to make it swivel and pivot correctly. The "arm lock" on the lower rail clamp came with a 6mm Allen head bolt. I purchased a couple of long partial threaded bolts from McMaster-Carr, cut off the hex head, and heated them with a propane torch in order to bend them into a "slightly less-than 90 degree angle for locking down the adjusting arm in virtually any position according to the sun. Sorry for the long winded answer, but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and you can see some of our thousand word pictures here on Instagram showing more detail of what I had to custom fabricate: instagram.com/sv_rambleon/
Hey brother this is Doug Solon I've sent you messages before I have a 41 golf start 73 I just installed or had installed two 210 volt solar panels and I've got the same setup as you have my question is I'm going to go trucking for 5 months I'm plugged into shore power at a marina for hurricane season do I need to disconnect my solar panels the gentleman that installed them said no they're on a regular on and off power but I'm wondering should I disconnect the solar panels that's my question I've got four brand new batteries installed in there too and running power from the dock I'm just wondering should I leave the solar panels on or disconnect them I really don't know I'm just asking what your advice might be thanks I enjoy your videos I'm learning a lot from you too
The batteries that I have are four brand new odx AGM 31 m whatever that means the guy that installed them said I can bring them down to almost zero they're a CCA 1150 phca 2150 whatever that means the cycle charge voltage is 14 14 4 and it says 12v 100ah which I don't know what that meansanyway I've got four brand new ones installed here and maybe you can give me a little insight about these batteries there let me see they're odysseys OD y s s e y Odyssey extremes do you know anything about them anyway send me a message if you do let me know what you think
Hey Douglas, I'd leave the panels connected just in case shore power goes out for some reason. You sure don't want your bilge pumps to stop working if you're sitting in your slip. Our panels only charge when needed, or when we're unplugged so it can't hurt to leave them on.
We have LiFePo batteries and I don't know much about AGM, but I'm pretty sure with any AGM or lead-acid battery chemistry you should never take them below 50% state of charge. The deeper you discharge them the shorter the lifespan will be, and if you take them down to 0% they probably will never recover. I'd recommend picking up a copy of Nigel Calder's book The Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual for more information on your specific setup.
Hi Vincent. For the tubing brackets we used bimini fittings from bosunsupplies.com . They have a great selection of all kinds of stainless boat related hardware and supplies.
I viewed a TH-cam video of the same mounting of panels on rails. The poor captain was smashed by a "rogue" wave the force of which was communicated to the rail by the panel. The rail was largely destroyed. I came to the conclusion that it's not a great idea to mount panels on a railing.
It seems like every time I’m considering a new project for my boat, a search turns up one of your videos doing the exact same thing…AIS, solar, inverter, never fails. Thanks for putting out such quality content. Really good stuff 👍
This is brilliant thank you very much. Super clear and exactly what we would like to do as we can not afford the 12K quoted to construct a solar arch on our yacht.
We’re glad it was helpful!
Great install...you are helping me out immensely...not quite there yet, LMAO, but I'll get there...very nice...cheers and favorable winds!
Excellent, and happy you enjoy our videos. Thank you for watching. It makes everything we're doing to our boat that much more rewarding.
Nothing is ever simple anymore, is it? Great video by the way. I really enjoy them.
Whoa yeah, you got that right. Nothing is ever simple on an old sailboat, but these days with a little internet research it's not too hard to to find multiple solutions to the problem I was trying to solve. However, once I get my hands on it, it gets even less simple. Thanks for watching and thank you for the comment. for the comment, and thank you for watching.
i really like the way did that, defo going down that route! well done
I have a Mainship 390 and I'd love to get solar panels.
I want to thank you again. You seem to be reading my mind and putting videos out which are about things I want to know. Appreciate it! Keep up the good work!
No, thank you man. We always appreciate all the feedback we get from our videos, and especially when someone finds something useful we did that they can apply to their own boat projects. Thanks again for watching!!
I've got the same setup the mppt-100/30 solar smart charger controller and I also have the victron energy which is reading 100% battery charged
this was a brilliant idea and for a redwings fan lol.
Thanks, enjoyed watching.
Great installation! I just did the same aboard my boat. It is really a terrific upgrade. Question: Could you show the components of the slide support pole you used. Well done, I love the idea! I wish to do the same. How does it swivel at the panel end?? Enjoying your videos immensely. Thanks for sharing! Dan.
HI Dan, thanks for watching and commenting. I bought a couple of these 360 degree rotating brackets and also the take-apart sliding rail clamps from Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/S3684-0000.html www.bosunsupplies.com/7-8-Inch-Stainless-Steel-Heavy-Duty-Take-Apart-Slide.html . The support poles are 7/8" rail tube from West Marine, and that's also where I got the tube-end eye fittings, but those are also available at Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/bimini-fittings-top-caps-slides/ . I had to do a bit of grinding on the eye fittings to make them articulate correctly. The "arm lock" on the sliding lower rail clamp came with a 6mm Allen head bolt but I wanted to be able to adjust it without tools so I purchased a couple of long partial threaded bolts from McMaster-Carr, cut off the hex head, and heated them with a propane torch in order to bend them into almost a 90 degree angle for locking down the adjusting arm. We have a few pictures on Instagram showing more detail of how it's all put together: instagram.com/sv_rambleon/
Thanks for all the info. Will be adding a couple to my 2 arrays. Thanks again!
@@svrambleon Rich, my railings have some curve, yours appear to a little too. Was getting the panels mounted a function of moving the white mounts up or down on the flat stock to get them to be”level”. Thanks. I dig your work!!
Thnkas for a great video At around 4:37 you show an adjustable bracket to hold panel; out from boat. What bracket is this and the source. Is it a split or open jaw to go over already installed tubing
It's a bimini jaw slide. Look on Bosunsupply.com.
Love the stainless fittings, hinges and slide clamp. please post link.
They're all standard fitting, hinges and slide clamps. You can get them at marine hardware stores (e.g. Bosun Supply) and Amazon.
Great info. What are the brackets you used to mount the solar panels on the rail? Thanks for posting!
Those are Sea Dog rail clamps. Got 'em on Amazon.
Neat job! What are the specs for the bolts to the bracket and also the slider support arm fittings?
Great video! Would you share some details of the arm at 4:42? I need to do something similar on life lines...
Hey Marco, I used a combination of Bimini-top hardware and tubing from Bosunsupply.com. I had to do some experimentation to make everything articulate correctly, and the shape of our stern made the mounting a little difficult.
Thanks for the video. Where did you purchase the mounting kit?
Bosun Supply
The support arm looks just what I need. Can you tell me where you got it; manufacturer, supplier etc. Or did you manufacture it yourself? Bill
Here's what we've posted in the comments previously. I don't know if the links are any good anymore.
I bought a couple of these 360 degree rotating brackets and also the take-apart sliding rail clamps from Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/S3684-0000.html www.bosunsupplies.com/7-8-Inch-Stainless-Steel-Heavy-Duty-Take-Apart-Slide.html . The support poles are 7/8" rail tube from West Marine, and that's also where I got the tube-end eye fittings, but those are also available at Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/bimini-fittings-top-caps-slides/ . I had to do a bit of grinding on the eye fittings to make them articulate correctly. The "arm lock" on the sliding lower rail clamp came with a 6mm Allen head bolt but I wanted to be able to adjust it without tools so I purchased a couple of long partial threaded bolts from McMaster-Carr, cut off the hex head, and heated them with a propane torch in order to bend them into almost a 90 degree angle for locking down the adjusting arm.
Great info mate. Got a charge out of this one.
Really Doug? Got a "charge"? I just spewed coffee on my keyboard... This is the best solar mount I could come up with considering that I don't prefer arches on the stern of a Tayana 37. One of our T-Group members (Charisma) had a similar solar set up, and based on limited photos and information, this was my attempt at replicating something that wouldn't have too much shading from sails, boom, shrouds, etc. At 10:19 am Pacific time, 38 degrees north latitude on 4-8-19 we're making 250 watts with the panes pointed as close to the sun as I can get them. The sun is approximately 30 degrees to the south of top dead center, and our slip where I'm tied is facing bow-on to 165 degrees.
@@svrambleon I do hope you had a protective cover over said, key board. I did like the sliding support arrangement. Have never researched solar panel installation so it was interested in seeing your approach.
@@dougrutherford9261 nope, had to turn it off and wipe it down. The Shift key is still giving me problems... :D
@@svrambleon Oh Oh that was bad of me. Just sift the key function to another one. Lol
I found this video very helpful and was wondering where you obtained your rail mounts from. Steve
Hi Stephen - We responded to this same question a few months ago. Here's the info. Thanks for watching!
I bought a couple of these 360-degree rotating brackets and also the take-apart sliding rail clamps from Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/S3684-0000.html www.bosunsupplies.com/7-8-Inch-Stainless-Steel-Heavy-Duty-Take-Apart-Slide.html . The support poles are 7/8" rail tube from West Marine, and that's also where I got the tube-end eye fittings, but those are also available at Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/bimini-fittings-top-caps-slides/ . I had to do a bit of grinding on the eye fittings to make them articulate correctly. The "arm lock" on the sliding lower rail clamp came with a 6mm Allen head bolt but I wanted to be able to adjust it without tools so I purchased a couple of long partial threaded bolts from McMaster-Carr, cut off the hex head, and heated them with a propane torch in order to bend them into almost a 90-degree angle for locking down the adjusting arm. We have a few pictures on Instagram showing more detail of how it's all put together: instagram.com/sv_rambleon/
Hi there, don't know if you check your comments on old videos, but I have a question; what are the white brackets you used to attach the panels to the stainless pushpit rod? Thanks etc. Chris
Those are Sea Dog rail clamps we found on Amazon
About how long is the stainless tube you used?
I have the canoe stern issue as well, 2001 Pacific Seacraft 34. I have 2x 175w flexible solar panels on my bimini. I’m planning on upgrading my battery bank to 300-400AH of LiFePO4 this summer. I’m stealing this idea! Best rail-mounting system I’ve seen. Is the toggle/clamp fixture something standard or did you make it? Thanks!
Thanks Erich - You can get the sliding clamp at any marine hardware store. It's a bimini slider. We got it at Bosun Supply (bosunsupply.com)
How did you attach it to the panel?
My setup binds up. What’s the secret 🍻🍻
What and where do you get the bracket you use to raise and lower the panel?
There are some links and info about the brackets in the comments on this video.
what are the names of the parts and where you got them for the swing arm and its sliding attachment piece? thanks
I just used stainless tubing and sliding end fittings for bimini tops. Check out www.bosunsupplies.com/rail-handrail-and-bimini-fittings/
Hi. The railings you added between your stern pulpit and stanchion appear to use fittings. Can you tell me where you got the fittings, or what you actually did to make the connections? I can't find any and I need to do the same thing.
Hey Bill, I added the solar rails a few years ago when we replaced our lifelines and on our boat, the stanchions have ring welded to the top and sides of the posts. 7/8" tube fit inside those rings so we used regular Bimini hardware and s.s. tube from West Marine to construct the rail extensions. I had to do some custom bending of the tube to make it fit the curve of the canoe stern, and you can read a bit more about that on or website: svrambleon.com/new-lifelines-solar-panel-rails/ For the solar mounts I used 1/4" thick 1-1/2" wide aluminum bar stock from a local supplier, but you could get that from onlinemetals.com . The plastic clamps are Sea Dog rail clamps I got on Amazon, and some more 7/8" bar and Bimini hardware from West Marine for the articulating support arm. But here's the kick: in order to make the support arm articulate correctly, I bought a couple of these 360 degree rotating brackets from Bosun Supply: www.bosunsupplies.com/S3684-0000.html . I also had to do some custom grinding on all the other hardware to make it swivel and pivot correctly. The "arm lock" on the lower rail clamp came with a 6mm Allen head bolt. I purchased a couple of long partial threaded bolts from McMaster-Carr, cut off the hex head, and heated them with a propane torch in order to bend them into a "slightly less-than 90 degree angle for locking down the adjusting arm in virtually any position according to the sun. Sorry for the long winded answer, but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and you can see some of our thousand word pictures here on Instagram showing more detail of what I had to custom fabricate: instagram.com/sv_rambleon/
@@svrambleon Thx for the all the info. It helps
Hey brother this is Doug Solon I've sent you messages before I have a 41 golf start 73 I just installed or had installed two 210 volt solar panels and I've got the same setup as you have my question is I'm going to go trucking for 5 months I'm plugged into shore power at a marina for hurricane season do I need to disconnect my solar panels the gentleman that installed them said no they're on a regular on and off power but I'm wondering should I disconnect the solar panels that's my question I've got four brand new batteries installed in there too and running power from the dock I'm just wondering should I leave the solar panels on or disconnect them I really don't know I'm just asking what your advice might be thanks I enjoy your videos I'm learning a lot from you too
The batteries that I have are four brand new odx AGM 31 m whatever that means the guy that installed them said I can bring them down to almost zero they're a CCA 1150 phca 2150 whatever that means the cycle charge voltage is 14 14 4 and it says 12v 100ah which I don't know what that meansanyway I've got four brand new ones installed here and maybe you can give me a little insight about these batteries there let me see they're odysseys OD y s s e y Odyssey extremes do you know anything about them anyway send me a message if you do let me know what you think
Hey Douglas, I'd leave the panels connected just in case shore power goes out for some reason. You sure don't want your bilge pumps to stop working if you're sitting in your slip. Our panels only charge when needed, or when we're unplugged so it can't hurt to leave them on.
We have LiFePo batteries and I don't know much about AGM, but I'm pretty sure with any AGM or lead-acid battery chemistry you should never take them below 50% state of charge. The deeper you discharge them the shorter the lifespan will be, and if you take them down to 0% they probably will never recover. I'd recommend picking up a copy of Nigel Calder's book The Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual for more information on your specific setup.
were did you buy the white pipe clamps?
I got the rail clamps on Amazon. They're made by SeaDog.
Will you be adding a wind turbine??
We do have a wind generator a friend gave us. And we do think we will be adding it in the future.
Could you please tell me the name of the brackets used to attach to the tubing
Hi Vincent. For the tubing brackets we used bimini fittings from bosunsupplies.com . They have a great selection of all kinds of stainless boat related hardware and supplies.
SV Ramble Thank You for the video and info on the brackets
I viewed a TH-cam video of the same mounting of panels on rails. The poor captain was smashed by a "rogue" wave the force of which was communicated to the rail by the panel. The rail was largely destroyed. I came to the conclusion that it's not a great idea to mount panels on a railing.
I can see how that would happen, but it's either on the rail or no panels at all. We're hoping to get an arch with davits made when we get to Mexico.
@@svrambleon ....I for one agree on the rail or none at all. ..😆 thanks again..
What isbthe RV thing… CC said Cable grand”……
Cable gland
I really enjoyed seeing the video but had to turn off the nasal narratory
What and where do you get the bracket you use to raise and lower the panel?