SmoCo Sailingvideo
Project Mini-sode 1 | Sailboat Bimini DIY Solar Panel Frame
July 19, 2025 · 8 min · 1K views · San Diego
What this video covers
Armand and Liya relocate two rigid solar panels on their sailboat to prevent the mainsheet from snagging during jibes.▶ 0:14 The original installation on the bimini frame caused interference with the traveler and mainsheet.▶ 5:54 To resolve this, they rotate the panel array 90 degrees, narrowing the footprint by 10 inches on each side.▶ 5:45 The pair constructs a support frame using aluminum angle iron to avoid galvanic corrosion between the panels and the metal structure.▶ 3:00 Before disconnecting the electrical system, they cover the panels with blankets to prevent arcing and verify zero-watt output using the Victron app.▶ 1:54 They secure the panels with nylon washers to eliminate vibration and noise.▶ 3:53 The project concludes with wiring and a plan to seal the gap between panels with caulk.▶ 7:11 The owners note that using 5200 sealant between panels proved ineffective, as the heat caused the adhesive to melt and drip onto the deck and teak.▶ 7:21
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