Briefly thought about it. I dismissed it based on cost of concrete and concern of frost upheave causing them to move differently and twisting up the whole works.
Briefly thought about it. I dismissed it based on cost of concrete and concern of frost upheave causing them to move differently and twisting up the whole works.
The UV rots them fairly quickly in direct sunlight.Might be able to use one of these instead of a tote? Hell of a cheap price.
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Concrete is pretty cheap in the overall picture. The concrete is on TOP of the soil so no issues with frost heave, certainly not in the lifetime of the array.Briefly thought about it. I dismissed it based on cost of concrete and concern of frost upheave causing them to move differently and twisting up the whole works.
I got a quote for (4) 12" x 3' deep sonotubes for $1000 (max based on the probable difficulty of digging. Could be less if he gets lucky with locations). This was to accomodate the EG4 Brighmount. How large/heavy do you think (4) surface pads would need to be for appropriate ballast?Concrete is pretty cheap in the overall picture. The concrete is on TOP of the soil so no issues with frost heave, certainly not in the lifetime of the array.
Yeah, that could be an option too. Other than destroying the tank, is there a reason not to use the walls of the tank though?How about taking the tank out & filling the cage with rocks ? You could line it with chicken wire & use smaller stuff.
Kind of like this
Piedras En La Jaula Del Alambre De Metal - Malla De Acero De La Pared Del Gabion Foto de archivo - Imagen de roca, acoplamiento: 98955852
Foto acerca Piedras en la jaula del alambre de metal - malla de acero de la pared del gabion,. Imagen de roca, acoplamiento, cerca - 98955852es.dreamstime.com
I can only offer some thoughts based on personal experience. I suspect the rack could sit on top of the ground with no ballast until the winds got over ~40 mph. Then minimal ballast would likely get you to 60 mph, as in one bag of sakrete per foot. It's the 90mph design speed that takes all the civil work. I'm sure others will be along to argue but please save the electrons for another day, I'm just speaking in general terms.I got a quote for (4) 12" x 3' deep sonotubes for $1000 (max based on the probable difficulty of digging. Could be less if he gets lucky with locations). This was to accomodate the EG4 Brighmount. How large/heavy do you think (4) surface pads would need to be for appropriate ballast?
Now you're talking! Also check out duck bill anchors. They may get pushed up by frost heaves every 5 years but for what they are, they're amazing.So in summary, I guess I'm convincing myself that a modest amount of ballast would suffice for the size of my array and location
I did look them up. Looks like you need the driving pipe (is this something special?) and the "jack hammer" looking tool to install them. Is this a DIY thing?Now you're talking! Also check out duck bill anchors. They may get pushed up by frost heaves every 5 years but for what they are, they're amazing.
Look for the "kits" with a drive rod on amazon. Their cable is too short to get you under the frost line but they will still work for a long time.I did look them up. Looks like you need the driving pipe (is this something special?) and the "jack hammer" looking tool to install them. Is this a DIY thing?
why buy antifreeze when you can get it for free? I need 500+ gallons of antifreeze for my boiler and after pricing it I cam to the conclusion it was cheaper to buy some 50 gallon drums and set them up at the local garages and junkyards and then pick it up. it save them money on the disposal and you money on not buying it. antifreeze in cars do not lose their antifreeze properties... they lose their anti corrosion properties which you have no concerns over in a plastic tote.Not sure either... Googling that seems to indicate that it could split if it stays cold long enough. Manufacture also indicates that damage "could" occur as well. Maybe the drain spout could split? That being said, I've had one hooked up to my garage downspout for several years now without issue (that I know of Oh, I'm also in PA (South Eastern)
Good point about needing to move it later too... IDK, maybe I should weigh the cost of 100 gallons worth of antifreeze vs the cost of gravel
EDIT: Dumb thought... I'll need (2) Totes. Even at a 30% ratio, that several hundred dollars of RV antifreeze. A couple of ton of gravel is only around $100
Great Idea! In fact, I work for a school district and I bet I can get the antifreeze from our bus garagewhy buy antifreeze when you can get it for free? I need 500+ gallons of antifreeze for my boiler and after pricing it I cam to the conclusion it was cheaper to buy some 50 gallon drums and set them up at the local garages and junkyards and then pick it up. it save them money on the disposal and you money on not buying it. antifreeze in cars do not lose their antifreeze properties... they lose their anti corrosion properties which you have no concerns over in a plastic tote.
yep and if its too thin from water dilution? just put one of the 50 gallon drums on top of 3 blocks spaced out and start a small wood fire under it and let the excess water boil away. thats my plan anyways. I need to go back in a couple of weeks to check on how much I can get, it will be my first time collecting, so I got me a small cheap pump that runs off of 12 volts and a IBC tote in the back of my truck. funny i just bought the totes for waster motor oil collection and had to divert one for the antifreeze pickup.Great Idea! In fact, I work for a school district and I bet I can get the antifreeze from our bus garage
want to move it? pump it back out into another tote int he back of your truck and take it to a collection center... who says you got to spill it on the ground? heck if youa re moving them, then buy one extra tote, put in back of truck empty, fill from one tote load now empty tote, take to new location, reverse process, ad naseum until you have them all moved to new location and installed. with a cheap water pump it might take a while for each one, but its free, and you are not dumpint he antifreeze all over the place. other than that...Well, I got all excited and told my wife about this new plan and how it would make it easier to move if filled with antifreeze/water if need be by just draining them. And then she pointed out how bad for the environment that would be. Oh duh... . So not sure if I'll go that route or not. Who knows, maybe our garage uses the RV antifreeze?