Let’s talk “Z” shaped fittings

[Bluedog225]

There is some deal with little fittings costing a fortune. Home Depot is charging about a buck a washer. It’s weird.

What I need are a bunch of Z shaped fittings. Like the Renogy brackets ($3 each).

The uni and super strut versions are more $ (see below).

I need around 250 of these things and I’m thinking there is a better way or cheaper source.

The best I can think of is aluminum z-bar. A lot of work but much cheaper.

Strangely, I get a ton of hits from the UK and Australia when I search for z-fittings. But very little in the US.

Any ideas for getting big bags of 100 hot dipped Z brackets (2 or 3 hole) for cheap? I feel like my google fu sucks.

Thanks!

 

[400bird]

What are you trying to do?
Those Renogy brackets look nothing like the others.
You could grab the manufacturer part number from Grainger and Google that, might come up with cheeper sources that have good bulk pricing.

If you can't find something to your exact liking, you could get them custom made. A place like send cut send will happily laser cut and bend those for you.

 

[Bluedog225]

Looking for cheap ways to attach panels to unistrut. The renogy and z clips serve the same purpose.

I was hoping someone knew of another application for the z brackets that would be priced for construction. E.g. bag of 100 for $50.

I can bolt panels directly to the strut but it’s upside down, fiddly work.

If I do something like this, I might be able to use stainless zip ties.

 

[Rednecktek]

If you find something good post links please! My current plan when I get home is 2 lengths of stainless angle iron, my welder, and a LOT of time on the band saw and drill press.

 

[Bluedog225]

I’m warming up to the idea of plastic coated, stainless zip ties and strut.

Claimed strength of 270 lbs. And a tightener gun for good tension.

I’m not seeing the downside. I could double up and still be a fraction of the cost of brackets and hardware. I wouldn’t put them on the roof.

Easy on, and easy off. And easy to slip a piece of tire tube or whatever under the panel edge when installing for galvanic protection.

They might want to change the name.

 

[HRTKD]

For ease of installation and reducing the amount of time I need to be in the air, I would buy a professional bracket.

Should I get around to a fixed, ground/roof system, I have these on my list. A pack of 20 for $50.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L7SWL54

 

[LywWyr]

I’m warming up to the idea of plastic coated, stainless zip ties and strut.

Claimed strength of 270 lbs. And a tightener gun for good tension.

I’m not seeing the downside. I could double up and still be a fraction of the cost of brackets and hardware. I wouldn’t put them on the roof.

Easy on, and easy off. And easy to slip a piece of tire tube or whatever under the panel edge when installing for galvanic protection.

They might want to change the name.

View attachment 92275

I have used similar zip ties numerous times. They work very well as long as you have a decent tie gun. A crappy tie gun makes them very difficult to get even remotely tight. In my opinion Grainger is overpriced when it comes to electrical parts. Most wholesale electrical parts distributors will let you order from them as a "cash" ticket, no account needed.

 

[WYtreasure]

Maybe it's time to start advertising locally for parts & pieces that some old fart (like me) has in his garage. Nope, I have nothing for sale or trade.

With prices going through the roof on everything, we may be able to curb the price increases by reducing demand for "NEW".

 

[LazyDragon]

Here's a steel cable tie option from amazon that has more reviews, and it doesn't have a huge "Idong" imprint on the side

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Tool-Stainless-Steel-cable/dp/B019GMDGW6

 

[schmism]

Looking for cheap ways to attach panels to unistrut. The renogy and z clips serve the same purpose.

I thought the go to way to attach panels to unistrut in areas with no permit/inspection was to use 1/4" bolts into a uni-nut and a fender washer on top across the edge of 2 pannels. At the end you use a piece of something to simulate the other pannel edge. (or a Z bracket)

 

[Bluedog225]

I’d forgotten that one. Thanks.

I wonder if it’s subject to shifting?

 

[Britguy]

If you find something good post links please! My current plan when I get home is 2 lengths of stainless angle iron, my welder, and a LOT of time on the band saw and drill press.

I make all my fittings/mounting rails from 2"x 1" box mild steel ($10 for 6m), angle grinder, drill, hammer to shape if required, spray.
Mostly I just make 'pinch clamps' to hold the panels down, means I don't have to be accurate with drilling, and can position the panels easily.
Saves loads of money, but takes a little time and effort.
I'm retired so I've plenty of time to fiddle around.

 

[acdoctor]

I mounted 330 watt panels to unistrut with 3 inch x 1/4 bolts, fender washers and nuts on the bottom. Top side of panels I used aluminum strap 1 1/2 x 1/8 cut to 1 1/2 long if memory serves, with 1/4 hole in the center. On the edges I used a cut of aluminum angle with the same leg length as panels height, so 1 leg of angle on the top of panel with bolt hole in the middle and the edge of the other leg against the strut to prevent rocking. 6 years and been through some pretty serious thunderstorms.

 

[Bluedog225]

Pics much appreciated. Do you have any doc? I got a little lost.

 

[acdoctor]

Doesn’t look like it. Will get a couple in the morning. Tractor supply has been the place to get bolts in the past for me.

 

[acdoctor]

We are in the start of the pollen bloom.
I started with some rubber between fasters and panels but it didn’t seem secure in practice.

 

[Zwy]

At $1.50 each, these are a bargain. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YGYMPLB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1#

 

[Bluedog225]

Excellent. Thanks!

 

[Kapow_Network]

There is some deal with little fittings costing a fortune. Home Depot is charging about a buck a washer. It’s weird.

What I need are a bunch of Z shaped fittings. Like the Renogy brackets ($3 each).

The uni and super strut versions are more $ (see below).

I need around 250 of these things and I’m thinking there is a better way or cheaper source.

The best I can think of is aluminum z-bar. A lot of work but much cheaper.

Strangely, I get a ton of hits from the UK and Australia when I search for z-fittings. But very little in the US.

Any ideas for getting big bags of 100 hot dipped Z brackets (2 or 3 hole) for cheap? I feel like my google fu sucks.

Thanks!

View attachment 92253View attachment 92254View attachment 92255View attachment 92256

Thanks for starting this thread. I have some aluminum angle iron from an old project. I am considering attaching two Ls together to make a Z.

 

[Supervstech]

I bet there are serated washers that will bite into the panel for grounding available...