Solar-Tracker Price List (Updated May 2011)
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Standard Solar-Tracker: fits 54-watt KC50T or 43-watt KC40T (you supply solar
panel and wiring). Kit includes tracker assembly with 38" to 48"
vertical tube length, bracket for 1" pushpit rail, universal deck
U-bracket, locking cable, panel mount bolts, lock nuts, nylon washers, four
rubber caps for solar panel corners. All electro-polished 316 stainless steel.
You drill your panel’s frame to match Tracker bracket holes and attach
mounting bolts. $520 plus shipping (in stock)
54-watt Solar-Tracker Kit: includes tracker assembly as above with pre-fit KC50T
solar panel. $885 plus shipping (in stock)
(We can provide custom made kits for other under 60-watt brands of solar panels. Larger panels would require larger assembly components and are not produced by us at this time. If interested in a larger pole mount system, you can check out the ones produced by Custom Marine Products.)
You will need two stainless ¼” hex bolts for
deck U-bracket of correct length for your deck thickness with lock nuts and
washers, #12 AWG duplex wire , connectors, thru-deck cable clam if needed, charge controller such
as Morningstar Prostar 15M with digital meter (or the more efficient and
expensive MPPT type controller), 10 amp circuit breaker switch or fuse with
holder and on/off switch.
Available parts and options:
Rail clamp for 1 1/4" tracker tube to 1" pushpit rail - $32
Set of four rubber caps for solar panel corners - $15
Two-foot duplex #12 AWG wire ends with spade connectors to attach to panel box -
$15
Plastic deck cable clam - $15
Solar panel junction box wire seal - $10
Note that when buying solar panels they sometimes come with a plastic wire seal to secure wires where they exit the panel junction box. If one is not included, you can get it from us or your solar panel supplier.
To order, specify items and supply a shipping address and I will calculate shipping costs. Call or email if you have further questions.
Solar-Tracker Installation and Operation
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 Solar-Tracker installed on a Pearson 35. |
- The upper U-bracket and
stainless steel angle braces come pre-assembled. Two of the three tension knobs
have the tips of threads welded to prevent panel theft or accidental
loosening from vibration. You shouldn't need to disassemble the knobs, but
if you ever do, cut off or grind away the tip of bolt end and remove. Bolt the
angles to the supplied solar panel as indicated so that the black plastic locking
knob is on the opposite side of the solar panel’s junction box. Large
nylon washers go between the angles and the solar panel’s aluminum frame
and the small nylon washers go under the frame between the stainless washer
and the ¼” Nylock nuts. If
you supply the solar panel yourself, then drill the aluminum panel frame to
match the Tracker bracket holes, attach four ¼” x ¾” mounting bolts with
insulating nylon washers. Always place a piece of plywood under the drilling
area to protect the back of the solar panel from the drill bit as it
suddenly breaks through the aluminum.
- The
main mounting tube can be ordered 38" to 48” long. The lower height may be better
aesthetically and it strengthens the whole assembly, but the taller height
gives better clearance to duck under or sit below the solar panel. If you decide to reduce
the overall height of the tube as supplied, cut the main tube at the lower end and redrill
the two 21/64" tube holes to fit the U-bracket.
- Once
the panel is fit to the upper bracket assembly, set it aside. Find a suitable
location near the aft corner of the transom area, taking into account any
clearance needed for windvane self-steering, outboard brackets, barbecue,
antennas or other
gear. Pre-fit the 1 1/4" tube vertically to the pushpit with provided
rail clamp and loosely tighten bolts to hold in place while allowing
movement to line up the lower U-bracket. Bolt the vertical tube to the
U-bracket and swivel tube until bracket sits flat on its mounting surface.
Decide if you are running the wire straight through the 1/2" hole in
the center of the U-bracket or out the bottom of the vertical tube and
through a deck cable clam. Mark, drill and bolt on the U-bracket with
1/4" stainless hex bolts and sealant, drilling the center hole for the
cable if needed.. (The U-bracket can bolt to any flat or angled surface of the
deck, toe rail or cockpit coaming.) If the vertical mounting pole cannot be placed against the
pushpit, you can fit it with optional 1-inch tubing struts as needed (check
with us for parts details).
- You have the option of running the #12 AWG duplex
wire directly through the center hole of the small lower U-bracket with a bit of sealant
if not using a cable clam. The #12 AWG duplex wires are finished off with
disconnect fittings next to the panel's junction box. Slide your duplex wire up
and out of the top of the vertical tube. While holding the solar panel
just above the mounting tube, slide the wire up and through the upper
assembly and then lower the assembly down over the tube. Crimp the wires to the supplied disconnects with an offset so the
disconnects can easily pass through the hole in the end of the upper swivel U-bracket. If the disconnects were not
staggered, they would not both fit through the hole together. You can wrap
the disconnects in rigging tape to waterproof them.
- Remove
the Nylock nut and vertical swivel tension knob and reattach, slipping the
loop end of the locking cable through the tension knob bolt.
- Apply sealant to wire above and below where it passes through deck if not using a cable clam. Run wiring to your circuit breaker or fused switch, charge controller and battery bank.
Operation:
Tension the knobs enough to allow the panel to swivel in
all directions. A black plastic spring-loaded knob locks the panel at various
angles, which you pull to disengage.
When entering or departing a marina, tilt the trackers
vertically so they do not snag a piling or other obstruction if you have them
mounted so that they overhang outside the deck’s aft corners.
For long-term storage or during hurricane threat, unplug
the wire disconnects, remove the tension knob and Nylock nut attached to the locking cable and lift the
trackers off the main support tube for storage below.
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