Hard Top solar panel on FSH 255 sport E

[LDor]

I'd like to install a solar panel on the hard top and was wondering if anyone had done before and had any advice? I have two specific questions; 1 what size panel fits best (Im unable to measure this week but would like to order the parts) and 2. is there a race or plenum to get wiring from the hardtop to inside the console?
thanks in advance!

 

[Judge]

I have a 275SD and while the hard tops are not the same but the usable space may be similar because I have two skylights down the center. I'm not sure of your battery situation and what your objecyives are but I can tell you what I did recently.

I upgraded my batteries from two Interstate Group 24 Sealed Wet batteries to two Duracell Group 27 AGM 100Ah Marine batteries with a little more capacity. I'm rack storing my boat so I won't have regular access to AC so I decided to install a solar system to keep my batteries charged.

I went with a new style Renogy 100W Flexible Panel.... Amazon.com

I also went with a Renogy 30A PWM Controller (I had this from another project otherwise a 10A would have been fine plus it allows for expandability)..... Amazon.com

I used 3M VHB Tape to secure the panel to the hard top and it did a very good job securing the panel.... Amazon.com


I figured the 100W should be enough to keep my batteries maintained when the boat is not in use and help the house battery from being drained too quickly when floating with the stereo on.

 

[VitaminSea]

I'd like to install a solar panel on the hard top and was wondering if anyone had done before and had any advice? I have two specific questions; 1 what size panel fits best (Im unable to measure this week but would like to order the parts) and 2. is there a race or plenum to get wiring from the hardtop to inside the console?
thanks in advance!

Have you seen this post by @Zackdadams ? While its not for a solar panel, he address how to run wiring through the hard top.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/fsh-252-255-radar-project.38969/

 

[LDor]

Have you seen this post by @Zackdadams ? While its not for a solar panel, he address how to run wiring through the hard top.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/fsh-252-255-radar-project.38969/

that was very helpful, thank you!

 

[M5Law]

I have a 275SD and while the hard tops are not the same but the usable space may be similar because I have two skylights down the center. I'm not sure of your battery situation and what your objecyives are but I can tell you what I did recently.

I upgraded my batteries from two Interstate Group 24 Sealed Wet batteries to two Duracell Group 27 AGM 100Ah Marine batteries with a little more capacity. I'm rack storing my boat so I won't have regular access to AC so I decided to install a solar system to keep my batteries charged.

I went with a new style Renogy 100W Flexible Panel.... Amazon.com

I also went with a Renogy 30A PWM Controller (I had this from another project otherwise a 10A would have been fine plus it allows for expandability)..... Amazon.com

I used 3M VHB Tape to secure the panel to the hard top and it did a very good job securing the panel.... Amazon.com


I figured the 100W should be enough to keep my batteries maintained when the boat is not in use and help the house battery from being drained too quickly when floating with the stereo on.

I have same boat. How did you route the wires from the roof down to the batteries? Trying to figure out the cleanest way to do it. Thanks

 

[Judge]

I have same boat. How did you route the wires from the roof down to the batteries? Trying to figure out the cleanest way to do it. Thanks

There are two options. One easier and one a little more difficult. The more difficult option is to remove the anchor light and fish them down one of the the hardtop supports.

The easier option was to run them outside the port-side hardtop support. Then I removed the inside panels on the port-side and ran the wires down the side and under the seat with the seat open and into the storage compartment. Then I reinstalled the side panel and I mounted a Renogy solar controller next to the DVSR.

I bought this solar wiring with a wire loom already installed and these clear clips with VHB backing to keep the wiring secured to the hardtop support and the boat.

From inside the boat you can only see a couple of inches of the wiring coming off the roof and then where it wraps over the gunwale until it goes under the inside upholstery trim. I've been using my setup for 7 months and it works great. The clear clips are still intact with the Florida weather and securing the wiring and the solar panel has kept the batteries charged. We had a surprisingly lousy winter in Florida and I went over a month without using the boat but the solar setup kept both batteries charged. I haven't plugged the boat into charge since I put it in the water.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

 

[M5Law]

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. Exactly what I needed. I already have bunch of wires coming down through the starboard side (2 tower speakers and a soundbar for the stern) so there is literally no room left. My installer is saying the left side isn't an option, at least not an easy one, because there is no provision for any wires coming through there. I'll probably just go the external route like you did.

Yeah, I'm in Orlando. This winter was the "coldest," IMO, in the last 23 years of me living here.

Thanks again.

 

[Judge]

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. Exactly what I needed. I already have bunch of wires coming down through the starboard side (2 tower speakers and a soundbar for the stern) so there is literally no room left. My installer is saying the left side isn't an option, at least not an easy one, because there is no provision for any wires coming through there. I'll probably just go the external route like you did.

Yeah, I'm in Orlando. This winter was the "coldest," IMO, in the last 23 years of me living here.

Thanks again.

If I get out on the boat this week, I'll try to take some pics for you.

*EDIT* I did find a couple pics for you......

 

[M5Law]

That's not bad at all. I'm going to keep an eye on my power consumption to see if it's truly warranted, or if I'm just being extra. I do have a 200Ah LiFePo battery, just don't want to have to worry about it when I'm on the sandbar all day running my four amps.