Shannon & Doran Jones
Member III
Has anyone installed solar panels on an Ericson 30+? If so, where have you mounted them? Photos?
Thanks!
Shannon
Thanks!
Shannon
Hi Shannon,
I just installed a 320watt solar panel on Lotus Flower (E27). I used some old hang glider tubing to make up a proof of concept mounting location. Lotus Flower has an electric auxiliary so I wanted a way to charge batteries while away from the slip. I do have a Honda 2000i but I wanted something less fumey. Time will tell how well it works...
The "proof of concept" has turned into a "permanent" setup. It works well and has held up to some good bashing sails and 60+ knot winds (at the slip). I added refrigeration so I could use some of the solar electricity I'm producing. ;-)
That's part of the backstay adjuster. There are five small sheaves in it. The outer two on each side ride on each leg of the backstay. The center sheave has a wire rope that has a fixed attachment on the starboard chainplate and a block arrangement on port. By tightening the line on the port side, it pulls that sheave assembly down, pulling the two backstays together adding tension to the rig. I think its main benefit is that when I'm sitting at the helm, I bang my head on the backstay less than if there were one going right down the middle.Curious about the "dogbone" on the split backstay, is there a purpose for that?