The tools and hardware required to mount
a PulseTech SP-10 unit are minimal and the
job took less than an hour to complete. An
aluminum strap measuring 36 inches long, an
inch wide and 1/8-inch thick; stainless steel
self-tapping screws; nuts; and bolts rounds
out the hardware needed. A hacksaw, power
drill, screwdriver and wrench are the tools
required.
The first step is finding a position on the
playpen rail to mount the collection panel,
where it will attract the maximum amount of
the sun’s rays based on where the boat is
positioned, at a dock, secured to a stake, or
on a trailer between uses.Measure the distance between the
mounting rails to which the aluminum straps
will be secured and mark locations for drilling
the eight mounting holes for the self-tapping
screws and the bolts that will secure the
panel to the straps.Cut the 36-inch strap into two 18-inch-long sections.1 2 3
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Using the solar collection panel as a guide,
mark the locations of the holes for securing
the panel to the straps and drill those holes.
Drill the holes in the straps for mounting
to the playpen rails.Attach the straps to the panel using
stainless steel bolts and nuts.Using the holes in the straps as pilots, drill
the mounting holes in the railing for the self-
tapping screws. Secure the straps to the rail
with the screws.
The aluminum straps are thin enough to
be bent down to hold the panel at any angle
suitable for collecting the most sunlight.Once that angle is determined, route
the lead cable attached to the panel to the
battery locker. At 17 feet the cable is plenty
long for most pontoon boat applications
and has a handy quick-disconnect feature
that makes it easy to route through small
openings.Once that angle is determined, route
the lead cable attached to the panel to the
battery locker. At 17 feet the cable is plenty
long for most pontoon boat applications
and has a handy quick-disconnect feature
that makes it easy to route through small
openings.
Connect the lead’s ring connectors to the
battery posts.A red LED indicator light atop the circuit
box tells you when the PulseTech unit is
using sunlight to re-charge the battery.
A blinking light notes partial power and a
steady red signals a full power flow to the
deep-cycle battery, assuring us that a work
week with a reasonable amount of sunlight
would top-off the trolling battery in time for
the next fishing foray. •5 6 7
(^8910)
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