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Message 12 of 12
Posted by member Derek on Thursday 3 February 2022
Hi Nick, thanks for your post. The solar panel theory was really "clutching at straws" and I realise unlikely to be the cause. The suppliers however do say that there could be a slight temperature increase at the back of the panel but whether enough to cause condensation is speculative. I now have a cover over the saloon roof to keep any sun off, although early days, the damp seems much less. I have 4 of the crystal dehumidifiers perhaps a few more will help! Roll on summer!
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Message 11 of 12
Posted by member Nils Happach on Thursday 3 February 2022
enjoy solar PERC Mono 100W(XL) 12V 9-Busbars (9BB) 166 * 166mm Monokristallines Solarpanel ideal für Wohnmobil, Gartenhäuse, Boot https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07C4P6J8N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_i_8KBV0MEP4X9PC921KER3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
greatings from Hamburg ????
Nils
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Message 10 of 12
Posted by member Nils Happach on Thursday 3 February 2022
100W with mppt Victron, 2x90Ah
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Message 9 of 12
Posted by member Nick Askham on Wednesday 2 February 2022
Hi Derek - I'm curious about your condensation problems and especially why you have considered the possibility of the solar panel being a cause, I wouldn't have thought a layer on the cabin roof would make any difference. My Pilot is also in the water all year round but I don't have a particular condensation problem. I do get some, mainly, it seems, along the sides where the material has come away from the sides. I will re-afix during the summer months with spay adhesive. I use the small, 500gram, individual dehumidifiers and find them very effective. Just as a point, they generally take a few weeks to actually start working, but once the crystals start to dissolve/ absorb water, will continue until the reservoir is almost full. I presently have them dotted all around the boat including in lockers and the toilet compartment, I think I have 15 in use at the moment, but at just 80 to 90p each I think them well worth it. My boat also gets plenty of airing as I go out in it every week so the cabin is open and the canopy side screens fastened back. Hope this helps.
Regards, Nick.
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Message 8 of 12
Posted by member Derek on Sunday 30 January 2022
Hi Joanna, thanks for the reply. I'm in the water all year round, I've ensured plenty of ventilation, the dehumidifier crystals (3 boxes) are not picking up any moisture yet I have a thin film of wet on the inside of the cabin roof. I've resealed all the deck fittings to ensure no leaks. A cover over the cabin roof is now the next thing to try and keep any sun off it, which means the solar panel doesn't work. Looks like one of life's mysteries!!
Regards, Derek.
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Message 7 of 12
Posted by member Joanna Bryant on Sunday 30 January 2022
Hi Derek
Sorry for the delay in replying- I’ve not had any problems with condensation in the cabin or under the headlining.
We keep the dehumidifier crystals in the cabin all season and put in a few more when it’s out in the winter- plus we leave the cabin doors open to allow plenty of airflow in the winter months. We have a tarpaulin over the boat on the trailer in the winter.
Hope that helps
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Message 6 of 12
Posted by member Derek on Sunday 23 January 2022
Hi Joanna, I fitted the same solar panel as yours and in the same place. I am getting a lot of condensation on the GRP inside of the coach house roof behind the head linings. I’m wondering if it’s the solar panel that’s causing it. Have you had a similar experience?
Derek
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Message 5 of 12
Posted by member derek on Monday 5 July 2021
Joanna, thanks to your advice, I'm just in the process of ordering!
A great help, much appreciated. Regards, Derek
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Message 4 of 12
Posted by member Joanna Bryant on Wednesday 30 June 2021
Hi we bought a 50W REINFORCED NARROW SEMI-FLEXIBLE SOLAR PANEL WITH A DURABLE ETFE COATING (GERMAN SOLAR CELLS) from https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/ for our FP
It’s the only one we could find that would fit on the deck and it’s very good keeps our batteries charged as we are on a swinging mooring. They sell the controller and all the accessories you need to fit.
It’s a permanent installation fixed on with sikaflex marine 291i
Here’s a photo to show you where we had it installed
Hope that helps ????
Joanna
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Message 3 of 12
Posted by member Michael Herridge on Thursday 17 June 2021
You might consider keeping the panel (or smaller panels) moveable and leave it up against the wheel house window best facing the sun when not under way. Keeps things clear. Stored in a stern locker when under way. I do this but mine is only 30cm square and used to keep the battery charged.
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Message 2 of 12
Posted by member derek on Thursday 10 June 2021
Hi Rob, did you source and fit solar panels to your Pilot? I am researching from scratch for mine.
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Message 1 of 12
Posted by member rob mcinnes on Tuesday 9 February 2016
Hi,
I am looking to fit a Solar Panel to my Hardy FP, via a charge controller.
I already have a 100W on a motorhome and it works well, but I fear this size is a bit large for the Hardy's roof.
I am converting the lighting to LED's and apart from that don't use a huge amount of electricity. Maybe a cool box when motoring.
Can anybody advise on what size panels they have fitted to an FP?
Thank you.
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