Need the Solar panel bracket's bolt description

[baz]

Subject: Need the Solar panel bracket's bolt description

I wish to move my solar panel on my new 2018 R-27/OB from its center position over to port by about 6 inches. The panel is attached to the cross bars by 4 black plastic brackets. Each bracket is secured to the round cross bar via two bolts. The bolt's nut is exposed whereas the bolt head is recessed and completely out of sight. Can the factory indicate what form/type of bolt head is used ? Is it for example, a Philips head, a straight slot head, a square hole head, a torx hole head or what, and what size is it ?

Thanks in advance for this information. 🙂

 

[Red Raven]

Hi Barry,

These are the parts Richard Becker at RT sent me for my additional solar panel. They match exactly to the mounts used for the original solar panel.

Curt

https://shop.hamiltonmarine.com/product ... wkQAvD_BwE

 

[Captain Steve]

those look like a solution to many mounting issues

 

[baz]

Hi Barry,

These are the parts Richard Becker at RT sent me for my additional solar panel. They match exactly to the mounts used for the original solar panel.

Curt

https://shop.hamiltonmarine.com/product ... wkQAvD_BwE

Curt: Thanks.... However, I cannot determine what driver to use to engage the bolt heads when viewing the bracket at the web site .... Philips, Slot, Torx, etc ???????

 

[Larry H]

Barry,

I am on my boat and I can check tomorrow. I have both the original factory mounts and ones I purchased recently.

 

[Admiral S]

They are the same square head as the other screws around the boat.

 

[baz]

They are the same square head as the other screws around the boat.

The square head varies from one bolt to the next on bolt heads throughout the boat.

The distance between the cabin roof and the underside of the black bracket securing the solar panel to the cross bars is such that a small shaft screw driver or a ratchet has to be used to engage the bolt heads. It would be nice to know the exact square hole type for me to use to avoid complications securing the bolt head while loosening the not on the topside of the bracket.

Thanks for any inputs. 🙂

 

[Admiral S]

They are the same square head as the other screws around the boat.

The square head varies from one bolt to the next on bolt heads throughout the boat.

The distance between the cabin roof and the underside of the black bracket securing the solar panel to the cross bars is such that a small shaft screw driver or a ratchet has to be used to engage the bolt heads. It would be nice to know the exact square hole type for me to use to avoid complications securing the bolt head while loosening the not on the topside of the bracket.

Thanks for any inputs. 🙂

I had to use a ratchet with the bit in order to get them loose. I cannot recall the exact size. I stripped one which turned into a project and just replaced them all with normal SAE 1/2" hex bolts that fit nicely into the molded hex to stop them from spinning. I was adding a 2nd solar panel which was my original intention for moving.

 

[baz]

Well, in desperation I chatted with Kenny and he was nice enough to goto a boat and take a look at the black brackets securing the solar panel to the cross bars to assist me. He indicated the bolt head will need to be secured with a #2 square driver while loosening the nuts on the topside of each bracket. 🙂

 

[Larry H]

Barry,

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.

The original Ranger brackets are as you found out, a #2 square drive.

The new brackets used with my new solar panel are #2 phillips.

 

[baz]

Barry,

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.

The original Ranger brackets are as you found out, a #2 square drive.

The new brackets used with my new solar panel are #2 phillips.

Thanks... I found that my stock solar panel brackets were secured with a 3/8" friction nut and a recessed #2 square drive bolt head.

Today I was able to loosen the 4 brackets sufficiently enough to slide the solar panel over to port by about 8" without stretching out the wire connection beyond its slackness. This gave enough clearance for my SeaEagle 385ft FastTrack kayak to install on starboard side without overlapping the solar panel.

The easiest way to get at the brackets is for one to climb onto the cabin roof and deal with holding the 3/8" nut with a closed 3/8" wretch while loosening the bolt with a short shank #2 square drive in a small socket wrench. I did it the hard way by leaning over the cabin roof for three of the brackets and for the 4th bracket I stuck my head & arms out of the roof hatch above the dinette table. Getting both arms out through the hatch was tortuous. :lol:

Thanks for the replies to my OP. 🙂