Onset SOLAR-5W, SOLAR15W Data sheet

15 Watt Solar Panel Installation Instructions (SOLAR-15W)

Items Included

• 15 watt solar panel with adjustable bracket mounting
hardware (tilt arm, bracket, clamps, bolts, lock washers,
washers, and nuts; additional optional hardware may be
included that is not required for this installation)

• Two U-bolts with saddle and two flanged nuts for
mounting solar panel to a 4.1 cm (1.63 in.) diameter mast

Tools Required

Note: Both Metric and English sizes are required.

• One 10 mm wrench

• Two ½ inch wrenches

Important: The solar panel must be mounted where it will
receive full sunlight or performance will be severely degraded.

Remove any plastic on the solar panel or hardware. It is

1

recommended that you lubricate all nuts and bolts with
multi-purpose or protective lithium grease to facilitate
easy removal at a later date. Two people may be needed
to perform some of these installation steps.

a. With the cable side of the solar panel facing up, center

2

Tilt arm flush
with edge of
solar panel,
(bolt assembly
will be added
in next steps)

the tilt arm on the solar panel, oriented as shown with
the shorter end of the tilt arm flush against the edge of
the solar panel frame.

Specifications

Power 15 Watts

Operating
Temperature Range

Materials Polycrystalline silicon solar cell; aluminum

Dimensions 428 x 357 x 30 mm (16.85 x 14.06 x 1.18 in)

Weight 2.2 kg (4.85 lb)

Cable Length 2 m (6 ft)

Environmental Rating Weatherproof when mounted properly, not

c. Place a lock washer, small washer, medium washer,

and large washer on the bolt (the lock washer is closest
to the bolt head). Insert the bolt/washer assembly
through the slot in the tilt arm and into the hole in the
clamp as shown. Use a 10 mm wrench to loosely
tighten the bolt.

Bolt/washer
assembly
inserted
through slot in
tilt arm and
into clamp
below

-40° to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F)

frame and mounts; zinc-coated steel bolts,
nuts, washers, and U-bolts

waterproof

The CE Marking identifies this product as
complying with all relevant directives in the
European Union (EU).

Slide clamp below tilt arm
(described in step 2b)

b. Working on the flush edge first, slide a clamp under

the edge of the frame, lining up the hole in the center
of the clamp with the slot in the tilt arm.

21932-A MAN-SOLAR-15W

Large end of tilt
arm centered
on back of panel
(bolt assembly
will be added in
next steps)

Side view of
proper tilt
arm/clamp
assembly

d. Repeat steps 2b through 2c with the opposite side of

the tilt arm.

e. Tighten both bolts with the 10 mm wrench. Do not

overtighten the bolts.

Insert the bracket into the larger end of tilt arm as shown.

3

The solar panel may not stand on its own; be sure to
support it.

Bracket
inserted into
tilt arm

Insert the larger bolt and medium washer into the arc

4

hole on the tilt arm, making sure it protrudes through the
hole in the bracket. Place a medium washer and large lock
washer on the end of the bolt inside of the bracket and
finger tighten. Repeat with three other bolts, one on the
same side and two on the opposite side.

To adjust the angle of the solar panel, loosen the bolts on

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the tilt arm and reposition them in the arc holes. Adjust
the angle to maximize the amount of light directed at the
solar panel during periods of the shortest duration of
daylight. Once the solar panel is at the desired angle, use

½

inch wrenches to tighten the bolts (one to hold the

two
bolt head steady, the other to tighten the lock washer
inside the bracket).

Reposition the
bolts on the
tilt arm to
adjust the
angle of the
solar panel

Insert the U-bolts through the bracket to attach them to

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the mast as shown. Attach the U-bolt saddles and move

Bolt assemblies (two of four)
in arc holes connecting tilt
arm to bracket

the bracket to the desired position on the mast. Use a ½
inch wrench to tighten the flanged nuts on the U-bolt
assemblies.

U-bolt
assemblies
attaching
bracket to
mast

Plug the cable into the HOBO station’s charging port.

7

Refer to the HOBO station user’s manual at
www.onsetcomp.com/support/manuals for the location
of the charging port on the station. Use zip ties to secure
the cable against the mast.

1-800-LOGGERS (564-4377) • 508-759-9500
www.onsetcomp.com/support/contact

© 2017 Onset Computer Corporation. All rights reserved. Onset and HOBO are registered trademarks of
Onset Computer Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

21932-A MAN-SOLAR-15W