Brian,?
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While it's not my preferred method, I have had customers request a tube frame that goes above the bimini and then put rigid panels outboard of the split backstays. I did an installation that also had a panel in between the backstays, but to Allison's point. you lose your viewing window. Everything is a compromise. My panels, which go fore and aft, bridge over the inner bimini support, which is not necessarily desirable, but at this point, panels are the cheapest part of the install and I'm happy to replace. I also have a panel on my dodger, but I keep it on it's own charge controller to mitigate shading impacts.?
A few things to note for you on your projects.?
?- I'm an ARCO dealer, if you're going that route, please let me know.?
?- I can also source pretty much everything you're looking for on this kind of project, including Victron stuff.
?- The installation that I'm doing on split backstays this winter will have 4x100watt panels. none will land directly on a frame member. But the bimini is being redesigned. Happy to share that design with you.?
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Best of luck! Let me know how it comes out.?
?
Jordan?
S402-047
Formerly S36-087
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Lake Michigan
Jordan