Solar Panel Mounts

[DDean]

Thanks in advance

Looking for alternative options to the Gemini clamp to mount a large solar panel on the stock round rack. The Gemini's look great, BUT by the time Im done with 4 of them they will exceed the price of the panel and the Victron 100/30 - just for the mounting hardware - to my door.

Ideally looking for a ~2inch rise.

Any suggestions for a more cost effective but still great choice?

 

[watson1987]

I've used these for both my panels (385W and 250W ones), cheap and effective, and mounted them directly to the rack without any risers. Though it is a bit finicky as you can't use the recessed nut spot on the mount, so you need a screw driver and wrench to tighten the nut. I can get a photo for you if you need.

Sea-Dog Line 327191-1 | Fisheries Supply

Save More on Your Sea-Dog Line #327191-1 Rail Mount Bracket - Round, 1-1⁄8" - 1-1⁄4" Rail at Fisheries Supply. Excellent Customer Service, Ready to Ship. Marine Supplies Since 1928!

www.fisheriessupply.com

However if you do need a riser you could look into a longer bolt, and then do a double nut on one end with a spacer/standoff in-between to get the height you need. I just did a quick search and they even have 2 inch long threaded spacers that you might be able to use if you can find the right match with a bolt that fits through the mount.

I can get a better picture later this week, but maybe you can get the idea that the panel is mounted directly to the bars running port/starboard with the SeaDog mounts

 

[Pandion]

I've found the factory rail clamps to be a solid mounting solution and I still use it for our two aftermarket rigid solar panels.

Back when we still had the OEM panel, I had a need to elevate the panel. I used stainless couplers and short piece of stainless tubing to raise the factory cross bars a few inches. Perhaps that would work for you.

 

[scross]

I reinforced the solar panel flanges with t-slot aluminum. I used adel clamps to support the MC4 cable. The adel clamps were mounted to the t-slot. Then used 4 black Yakima mounts I used (Yakima SNAR Mighty Mount) wrap around for round bar accessories. They were just a tad bit large so I used a small bit of Gorilla brand rubber stretchy tape to snug them up to the factory sports rack bars.
Good up to 80 mph winds - 20mph headwind while doing 60 mph towing.

Here’s the adel clamp info.
https://www.mcmaster.com/adel-clamps/
Here’s info on the t slot aluminum
https://8020.net/30-3030.html

 

[DDean]

Thank you @scross , @Pandion and @watson1987 !

There are some usable suggestions above. Im leaning toward the t-rails as that will allow me to position the panel using its existing drilled holes anywhere along the length of the rack I want given the flexibility afforded by the t-slots making positioning way easier, and it looks like the materials are readily available and not super expensive.