Refit - Phase 1 - Solar Arch

Original Arch

Installation

Installation involved bolting it to the deck and then looking for ways to continue to stiffen it. We arrived at a very workable solution, but didn’t get it sufficiently sealed so we have some leaking through the deck holes that still needs to be addressed.

Wiring

There are many ways to hook this many panels up and Peter Kennedy from PYCS was instrumental in helping me into a great solution. We chose to have 5 strings of 2 panels in series. This provides the controllers with sufficient voltage to adequately charge the batteries. By using more controllers we get around shading problems as we might lose use of 1 or more panels depending on boat and sun orientation.

Accessories

Having this much structure on the stern of the boat opened up all sorts of possibilities to store and mount things.

So far we have:

1. The dinghy motor and lift

2. Fishing rod storage under the panels but overhead

3. 4 Trolling rod holders

4. Cup holders

5. Dinghy anchor storage

6. Boarding ladder storage

7. Life Sling mounting

8. Stereo Speaker Mounting

9. Sail trim light

10. Swim deck light

11. Light for water in back of boat

12. and adding more as we go…..

Antenna support

So again having this much area provided us mounting support for many of our RF needs

1. GPS Antenna for AIS

2. GPS Antenna for Autopilot course Computer

3. SatCompas & GPS

4. RADAR/ STARLINK Mount

5. Iridium Go! antenna

6. VHF Cockpit Antenna