{"id":47993,"date":"2026-11-03T09:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T08:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/?p=47993"},"modified":"2026-11-08T16:55:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T15:55:15","slug":"flexibel-solar-bimini-diy-for-a-highfield-rib","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/flexibel-solar-bimini-diy-for-a-highfield-rib\/","title":{"rendered":"Flexibel Solar Bimini DIY for a Highfield RIB"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<iframe width=\"853\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QAWy2iwtZag?si=KgkOhnwE94MtB1yJ\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Install a Solar Bimini With 200W Panels and Lithium Power<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Installing a solar bimini for RIB offers a clever way to generate electricity without sacrificing shade or storage space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But there\u2019s a catch. A bimini isn\u2019t a flat, rigid surface where you can simply screw solar panels into place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So how do you make it work o a Highfield Sport 390?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This DIY project combined a folding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bougerv.com\/products\/bougerv-solar-bimini-top\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BougeRV bimini <\/a>with integrated 200W solar panels and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=redodo+power\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">100Ah Redodo lithium battery<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The installation started with assembling the aluminium frame and applying corrosion protection to its fittings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new solar bimini fits the existing mounting points without modifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Better still, the solar panels fold with the canopy, allowing the Highfield RIB to be stored normally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next came the battery upgrade. The new lithium battery replaced the original lead-acid unit, offering considerably more usable capacity while still delivering enough current to start the 60 hp outboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first engine-starting tests with the Suzuki DF60A succeeded. The solar bimini worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The remaining job involved connecting the solar panels to a charge controller and measuring their actual charging performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This video was published on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@SailingSophisticatedLady\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the <strong>Captain Rick Moore<\/strong> YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re a handyman or handywoman, you will like these <a href=\"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/category\/diy\/\">DIY videos<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proud to share that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.highfieldboats.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Highfield<\/a> is a good Friend of RIBs ONLY.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Editor&#8217;s View<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best videos don&#8217;t just show you something interesting. They solve a real problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that&#8217;s exactly what this nearly 15-minute guide delivers. No marketing talk, no sales pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just a genuine, hands-on demonstration that shows you how to get the job done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related reading:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/what-is-a-rigid-inflatable-boat-rib\/\">What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat?<\/a>\u00a0\u00b7\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/how-does-a-rib-work\/\">How Does a RIB Work?<\/a>\u00a0\u00b7\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/rib-buying-guide-how-to-choose-the-right-boat\/\">RIB Buying Guide<\/a>\u00a0\u00b7\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/buying-a-used-rigid-inflatable-boat-free-download\/\">Buying a Used RIB: Complete Inspection Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Specs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Model<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Highfield Sport 390<\/th><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Length overall<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">3.90 m<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Internal length<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">2.50 m<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Beam overall<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">1.92 m<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Internal beam<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">0.92 m<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Deadrise<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">20\u00b0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tube diameter<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">47 cm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tube compartments<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Maximum load<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">716 kg<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Maximum persons<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">7<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Dry weight<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">226 kg**<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Fuel capacity<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">30 l<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Maximum engine power<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">60 hp<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Engine shaft length<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Design category<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">C*<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highfieldboats.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">source<\/a>, data may vary<br>* <a href=\"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/ce-categories-for-ribs-explained\/\">discover what this means<\/a><br>** boat and console only<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/headshot-real-100.webp\" alt=\"Karel, RIB advocate @ RIBsONLY.com - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat\" class=\"wp-image-47874\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/headshot-real-100.webp 100w, https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/headshot-real-100-84x84.webp 84w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:85%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:13px\"><strong>Karel, RIB Advocate<\/strong><br>Karel Overlaet is owner, founder, and editor-in-chief of RIBsONLY.com, Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat. A passionate RIB owner himself, he curates the web&#8217;s largest collection of RIB news and videos. What started as a passion project has grown into a knowledge hub with lots of news and 50+ in-depth guides for beginners and experts alike. He also created <a href=\"https:\/\/ribmanufacturerlist.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RIBManufacturerList<\/a>, a unique global directory of all active RIB brands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Install a Solar Bimini With 200W Panels and Lithium Power Installing a solar bimini for RIB offers a clever way to generate electricity without sacrificing shade or storage space. But there\u2019s a catch. A bimini isn\u2019t a flat, rigid surface where you can simply screw solar panels into place. So how do you make it work o a&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[75,447,66,37,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-highfield-boats","category-diy","category-how-to","category-suzuki","category-video"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47993","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47993"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47993\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48170,"href":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47993\/revisions\/48170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ribsonly.com\/2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}