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Need Help Finding 38.5" to 39" 12V Solar Panels for Catamaran Solar Array

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  • Need Help Finding 38.5" to 39" 12V Solar Panels for Catamaran Solar Array

    Hello!

    I'm posting here after hours of bashing my head against the internet, along with a bunch of fruitless phone calls.

    I live on a catamaran which has a 20 year old solar array (link:http://i.imgur.com/9qIAfJ3.jpg). The existing panels are supposed to be 51.0W, but in direct Florida sun I never see more than ~160W output for all 8 panels. My understanding is that this degradation is consistent with the age of the panels. Here is the spec label for them: http://i.imgur.com/VNKgmA2.jpg.

    I'd like to replace the panels, but it would be ideal (i.e. much much easier and cheaper) if I could reuse the existing aluminum framing without cutting/welding. The problem is that the panels I've got are 38 15/16 in on the long side (988mm) and I can't find any manufacturer that makes a 12V solar panel thats less than 39 3/8".

    I've looked through or talked to: Renogy, Sunpower, WindyNation and about 50 other Ebay listings and I can't find anything that will fit in the frame.

    For the short side I'm less concerned - if the new panels are wider than the old ones I can just use 6 or 7 panels instead of 8.

    Does anyone have any ideas on how/where I can get a 12V solar panel in the 50-200W range thats between 38 and 39" on the long side?

    Thanks!!!
    - Jordan

  • #2
    You don't need a 12V solar panel to charge a 12V battery system. Get a MPPT charge controller like Midnight solar's marine-grade Kid
    http://ressupply.com/charge-controll...rge-controller
    You could then get Renogy's 250W panel which is 39 inches on the short side.

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    • #3
      That is a fantastic idea. I was looking at 5x SLP085-12U (425 W total) panels from SolarLand, which would cost $1000, but this gets me 500W for $800 (including a new charge controller).

      You are amazing sir.

      One thing I'm a bit concerned about is the rigidity of the large panels - do you think damage caused by flexing is going to be an issue moving to 2 large panels instead of 5-6 smaller panels? I don't expect any movement in the frame, but its a sailboat and heavy weather happens.

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      • #4
        Also, is there a way for me to get free/cheaper shipping than $250 from Renogy?

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        • #5
          If you can't find a local dealer (google, yellow pages) you have to eat the shipping costs.

          Panels are pretty tough, but if you take a wave, consider it shattered.

          Also beware of stays and lines casting a shadow, even a pencil size shadow will affect harvest.

          Panels generally produce 80% or less, of their label output, so assume it will be less, since you dont have perfect aim at the sun,

          Few panels are rated for salt water, so expect maybe 10 years life, After connectors are mated, give them a water proofing wrap of some of the self-fusing silicone tape.
          Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
          || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
          || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

          solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
          gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

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          • #6
            Panels are pretty tough, but if you take a wave, consider it shattered.
            I'd consider buying a spare (or two spares) and put them in storage.

            There are some other possible options as well - I think a lot of Poly-silicon panels are just under 39" on their short side.
            Candian solar's CS6P-265P is on clearance at soligent - and shipping with them I got $132 for 2 panels and a mindight KID controller - so $810 total. $1170 if you get a pair of spare modules.
            I'm sure there are other possible vendors as well.
            But buying local (or somewhere that you'll have an excuse to sail to them) is always a good idea IMO.

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