Best backer board

[tonyg]

Hello again!

I've been searching for the best backer board for solar equipment, such as inverters, MPPTs, bus bars, etc...
Victron manuals state to mount on non-flamable surfaces. This must be a sort of lawyer's text in there, right? ...

Nevertheless, what are people using? I was looking at fire retardant plywood, but is there a better option?


Gracias,
Tony

 

[timselectric]

Cement board
Like Durock
Can be found at any hardware store.
It's normally used for a ceramic tile backer board.

 

[timselectric]

Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing:

James Hardie HardieBacker 3 ft. x 5 ft. x 1/4 in. Cement Backerboard

https://www.homedepot.com/p/James-Hardie-HardieBacker-3-ft-x-5-ft-x-1-4-in-Cement-Backerboard-220022/100183556

SKU# 100183556

 

[tonyg]

Thank you my friend!
I'm in the UK, they seem to block access to that URL, but I'll seacb for Hardie backer locally here.

 

[timselectric]

Any hardware store should carry something similar.

 

[crossy]

Thank you my friend!
I'm in the UK, they seem to block access to that URL, but I'll seacb for Hardie backer locally here.

This should do the trick https://www.wickes.co.uk/STS-Professional-Tile-Backer-Board-1200-x-600-x-10mm/p/101131

They also have a few other similar products.

Here in Thailand the brand name is Shera board.

 

[tonyg]

Thank you @crossy , that looks great, but looking at its description it says:
"...
Fire Retardant: No
Fire Rating: No
..."

 

[tonyg]

I was wondering does anyone know what Nate (explorist life) uses in this video as a baker board?

 

[crossy]

Thank you @crossy , that looks great, but looking at its description it says:
"...
Fire Retardant: No
Fire Rating: No
..."

There are a few other similar products https://www.wickes.co.uk/Knauf-AQUAPANEL®-Board---12-5mm-x-900mm-x-1-2m/p/207027

To be honest if it's rigid and cement based it's not going to burn. A "Fire Rating" would imply that it's suitable as an actual fire barrier for life safety purposes.

The stuff we use here (Shera) isn't actually fire-rated but I have some in the bottom of the barbie where it has hot charcoal sitting on it regularly, apart from some discolouration it's not been affected.

I'd take a wander over to your local DIY place / builder's merchant and see what they have on the shelves.

EDIT By the way, whilst you are there get a suitable blade for your power saw, trying to cut this type of board with a woodworking blade, even a carbide tipped one, is doomed to failure and a dead blade. I have a diamond blade in my tile cutter (it's like a baby power saw) most effective. Dust protection is vital, get your N95 COVID mask out and wear eye protection.