Gravity ?
It’s between the house and a newer fence so it’s well sheltered. It’s only got to last a few more years at this location then it’ll either be disassembled and go with or more likely given to a buddy to make it go away before the next owner gets it. Think of it as a way to get my feet wet in solar. We had heck of a wind storm last winter and went out to see how stable it was and it seemed like everything else was moving but that. If this was out in the open your damned right it would be anchored in the ground and probably an engineered mounted system. If this heavy low angle panel thing lifts at this location, it would have to be an F3+ tornado which we just don’t get here. But yeah, your eyes are good.
I am re-examining your solution. I came up with something from seeing your solution initially based on what I had on hand, but it is not acceptable. I cut 1/2" PVC pieces at 1.5". The problem is the 1/2" doesn't fit well as it doesn't sit flat inside of the plastic ring with nut, and each piece I cut varies a bit.For the end panels where there's only 1 edge and the square hold-down doesn't have 2 panels to hold 'flat', I used a strut near the edge but completely under the panels. Used a piece of semi flattened EMT conduit to provide a base for the square hold-down to lay flat and not tilt off the edge of the panel.
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I used metal EMT conduit, flattened into an oval. I used the square mounting pieces under (and over) the EMT.I am re-examining your solution. I came up with something from seeing it initially based on what I had on hand, but it is not acceptable. I cut 1/2" PVC pieces at 1.5". The problem is the 1/2" doesn't fit well as it doesn't sit flat inside of the plastic ring with nut, and each piece I cut varies a bit.
So, I need to come up with something. I see what I missed the first time of your...something under the panel, on top the strut. But I don't have much extra bolt to put too much there. The 2.5" bolt is not long enough for much to go under another 2mm thick washer.
So, I am trying to think of another piece I could put between the top square washer and rail. Maybe 3/4" PVC?
Any other ideas from others for the End Mounts?
Thanks!!
Yea - I had about 3 lengths of bolts. Don't remember the details but it's details like this that just drive me crazy sometimesThanks the additional info. I had missed that you used an extra square mounting piece...thought you had stated it was something else even though it looked like another square. Makes sense. What size bolt did you use? I bought a box of 2.5", but may just need to buy some 3" singles. I don't think 2.5" is going to go through another square and have enough threads to get through the nut. I did put a lock washer also above the top square. Those squares are THICK!!
If my panel is 1-3/8, how thick should thick should the spacer be?Yea - I had about 3 lengths of bolts. Don't remember the details but it's details like this that just drive me crazy sometimes
The EMT tube - you cut so the top washer is 'roughly' flat - so the distance from the base to the edge of the panel. I used a hack saw and got it on the 2nd try.If my panel is 1-3/8, how thick should thick should the spacer be?
Well, it doesn’t look like it, but the end mounts are way better now. At least I feel better about the panels up on the roof. Thanks.I used a hack saw and got it on the 2nd try.
I'd like to see a second object on opposite side of bolt also pushing away.
Clamp / hold down brackets, like Unirac, work fine with no other mechanical connection to the panels, torqued to spec. Mine have been up there for 13 years with Sharp 175W panels. There are some wind load calcs that you should do to check.I looked at those yesterday as I had the same question on how to mount to unistrut, or some variation of unistrut. They are made by a company called Power Strut. Their web page for those mounting brackets can be found here: https://www.power-strut.com/docs/li...r-components-sell-sheet.pdf?sfvrsn=f6f6606e_2
It appears to me that most mounting solutions that use unistrut are just hold downs. These hold down brackets don't use fasteners to attach to the solar panel itself. That bothers me. I see no reason why the mounting brackets from Rich Solar couldn't be used on unistrut. I think it is a much more cost effective solution.
Use of the above brackets depends on the orientation of your unistrut. If the unistrut is running perpendicular to the solar panel then the most likely way to use these brackets would be on the top and bottom rails of the panel.
Alternatively, you could use these brackets - also from Rich Solar - anywhere in any orientation.
Great use of pipe. Question what did you buy to connect the transverse 2” pipe to the vertical pipe - looks like you mounted something on the top of the steel pipe and connected two U bolts. Home Depot?I did my ground mount with 2" galvanized pipe frame + 10ft long universal strut (beefier type) cross-members with bolted hold-downs. Built this array by myself (1 person). Worked well. The array is nearing 4 years... no rust, no problems, no loose hold downs, and steady in winter storms.
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The basic items used are
- U-Bolts to bolt the universal strut to the 2" galvanized pipe
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- nut w/plastic ring for hands-free fit in the channel + bolt + square hold down like this demo pic
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Here's an edge view showing the bolt hold-down into the universal strut mounting numbers. The panel edges sit on the edge of the universal strut. When you have side-by-side panels, 1 x hold-down works great.
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For the end panels where there's only 1 edge and the square hold-down doesn't have 2 panels to hold 'flat', I used a strut near the edge but completely under the panels. Used a piece of semi flattened EMT conduit to provide a base for the square hold-down to lay flat and not tilt off the edge of the panel.
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I used IronRidge Top Caps - https://realgoods.com/ironridge-ground-mount-system-top-cap - which are made for this purpose.Great use of pipe. Question what did you buy to connect the transverse 2” pipe to the vertical pipe - looks like you mounted something on the top of the steel pipe and connected two U bolts. Home Depot?
They are approved by code for use in California.Options for connecting panels to strut are in two basic classes. So it really depends on situation.
1. code compliant solutions for weather loading and wind This would include individually engineered/stamped and or factory documented/engineered systems.
2. non compliant solutions
Make sure you use the proper strut material if outdoors or in a wet location.