Looks great, might I suggest filing the end of the steel pipe with some expanding foam. I don't know about Florida, but where I live the wasps makes nests in them.
Hello Noel, I actually did that, you can see it in an earlier video: th-cam.com/video/-YeIbNp6ANU/w-d-xo.html I have a complete start to finish series on the entire install. th-cam.com/video/N7CoCI-0IoY/w-d-xo.html Thanks!
Whenever I watch your channel I am reminded of how many things I would do differently If I had the funds. I do have a mill and 40 acres of timber so thts what I'll use for the new solar arrays. I was going to char the 6x6 posts and set them 3 feet deep. The unknown factor is the wind. It does gust to 60 up there. It blows up to 25 just about every day in the afternoon. I may have to set the solar panels 2 high to keep it from being such a large sail. I need to keep the solar panels a t leas 3' off of the ground because of the snow. When I see how much concrete you are supposed to have it makes me want to rethink my design. My old system was up and running fine for 6 years but the wind was blocked by the mountain behind me. The new place is all out in the open.
Hello Steven, I designed my system for 120-130mph winds because we are in Florida and we do get hurricanes. The uplift on your panels in a 60mph wind is not half 120mph, its more like 1/4 the uplift (Velocity squared). That said, I would go to the IronRidge site and use their online design tool to see what they would recommend based on all your info (panels, how many, orientation, ground type, wind speeds, etc.). That will give you a ballpark estimate of what you should design for. Thanks!
Very nice video. I am considering either Iron Ridge or Sinclair ground mount system for 24 panels expanding to 30-35. Iron Ridge has a tool on their site to assist the design of how deep and far apart the posts go. Sinclair has seasonal adjustments due to hand cranks. I am not sure which I am going to go with. Iron Ridge has the stoutness for Texas winds and the other can adjust the angle which may not be as big of impact in Dallas are of Texas as it would be up north. Thoughts?
I think either way is good. I like four post at the corners better than singles down the middle. I do like the ability to adjust the angle and agree that it would be a much bigger factor up north. What is the price difference? Also, be sure to check out Gain Solar and Engineer 775 for examples. th-cam.com/video/XMveyVQNVdA/w-d-xo.html
@@HomesteadEngineering thanks for your reply. I kind of agree with the 4 posts idea. The cost is fairly close when you add in the substructure of schedule 40 pipe with the Iron Ridge. Both systems have a way of mounting without concrete and holes, but I think it is high risk (not using a post hole with concrete) for a residential guy like myself (like is there a any rock under the panel mounts to give me trouble). I will check the references you mentioned above. Thanks again! All the best!
I think I used this: www.onlinemetals.com/en/buy/carbon-steel/3-nom-schedule-40-carbon-pipe-a500/pid/23672?variant=23672_72_0&gclid=CjwKCAiAmJGgBhAZEiwA1JZolqQfc-hJ-3GX0mo4MJdoBO7V1WdxDgM4mD0togIag7OXFGDP1ODHzhoC1hsQAvD_BwE It has surface rust as I did not paint it but It seams to be holding up just fine. Thanks!
Would a emp or cme affect the solar system of someone’s house if someone has solar & would a emp or cme affect a septic tank where you couldn’t go to bathroom in a toilet ,is a septic tank hooked up to electricity @homestead engineering
An EMP would likely effect a basic solar power system. Things like battery monitor kits and other sensitive electronics. There are action you can take to mitigate this risk. I believe the SOLARK systems are hardened but not sure. Lead acid batteries are much more resilient as they do not have BMK's. CME's are less risk if you are not connected to the grid. Septic systems should not be a problem. Thanks!
@@HomesteadEngineering is your well or any well similar to yours controlled by electricity or is it controlled by something else?i meant to ask you that when i asked about the cme &emp@homestead engineering
Hello Greg, My panels are about 72.5" wide and I set my rails about 52" apart. You can lookup your panel and it will show the mounting locations in a diagram. Thanks!
I did pull the array off the fence enough to go behind it with my mower and my tractor. I can get under it pretty good as well with the zero turn. That's said, the chickens are going to get a shot at the entire dog pen. Well see how that goes with predators.
Berlin, I am very happy with the results so far. You can design it to your own needs and I hope you give it a shot. If your not an electrician, be sure to have someone help you out a bit to make sure everything is done correctly. Thanks!
Just curious; you put the other panels on your shed, why not put these ones on your house ? Your roof faces the right way, so what's up ? Thanks for the great video. :)
Good question. Advantages of ground mount: 1. Easy to build (no climbing on 2 story steep pitch roof) 2. Easy to clean and inspect 3. No worries about re-roofing down the line 4. No worries about a leaky roof Disadvantages: 1. esthetics, on the roof is basically invisible whereas the ground mount is like adding another building to the property and it takes up that space.
It's coming along nicely. Do you need perfect or do you need functional? Don't sweat the small stuff, my friend. Good helper you had there. Did you get the concrete poured at the barn, too?
Hello Hoot, Exactly! I am very happy with it so far. Its cranking out a ton of power (can't even use it all). I am starting to lean on my battery bank more at night so I can use some of that power to recharge them. I plan to up my battery bank to about 30kWh of Lithium once these die. I just came across the Gyll LiFePO4 at $300/kWh. That would change everything. I would run my entire house off grid. BTW: I did finish the barn concrete as well. :)
Sweet install! Love your way of life at your humble abode. Thats quite a lot of concrete! I am in NY, and going to use Snap N Rack specs of 1.5" schedule 40 and 12" holes 4 feet deep. You sir can definitely handle a hurricane. Did you go over your wiring and combiner box setup? I am doing mine as soon as my batteries show up in April I hope.
I will be covering the PT-100 setup next, followed by the combiner box and panel wiring and finish the series with the startup and performance. I will probably do a start to finish summary video at the end. All this has to wait a bit as I am just starting on a review video for the EchFlow River Pro. Thanks!
I did not design for an EMP. I currently see two ways to go: 1. A Sol-Ark system 2. Buy duplicates of all sensitive stuff and put them in a Faraday cage. That said, I don't think an EMP is a huge risk right now as in: why destroy what is currently destroying itself. CME is probably a bigger risk. Thanks for the question. :)
That's impressive! Thank you for taking the time to share this.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by, I have been following your channel for a long time now. Keep up the great work! :)
Looks great, might I suggest filing the end of the steel pipe with some expanding foam. I don't know about Florida, but where I live the wasps makes nests in them.
Ryan, Not a bad idea. Thanks!
@@HomesteadEngineering Yeah, I'm in CT. I have the same IronRidge solar install. Walked out one day and there was a huge nest in one of the pipes.
I'm gonna do this when I grow up. You do good work and I am learning from you . Thank you, looks sweet!
Thanks! I need to head over to your channel and see what your up to. :)
The driver has the best part of this job
That's for sure. :)
Looks good. Only thing I would have done different on the piers is I would have put a couple pieces of rebar through each to help with hold down.
Hello Noel, I actually did that, you can see it in an earlier video: th-cam.com/video/-YeIbNp6ANU/w-d-xo.html
I have a complete start to finish series on the entire install. th-cam.com/video/N7CoCI-0IoY/w-d-xo.html
Thanks!
Sorry. Didn't see the previous one. Well good job! I'm about to build one myself. Hope it comes out as good as yours!
Those set screws need to be tight for *uplift*. I used a bit of Loctite to help keep them from backing out and on the nuts as well...
Yes, They do have a specific torque setting.
Whenever I watch your channel I am reminded of how many things I would do differently If I had the funds. I do have a mill and 40 acres of timber so thts what I'll use for the new solar arrays. I was going to char the 6x6 posts and set them 3 feet deep. The unknown factor is the wind. It does gust to 60 up there. It blows up to 25 just about every day in the afternoon. I may have to set the solar panels 2 high to keep it from being such a large sail.
I need to keep the solar panels a t leas 3' off of the ground because of the snow. When I see how much concrete you are supposed to have it makes me want to rethink my design. My old system was up and running fine for 6 years but the wind was blocked by the mountain behind me. The new place is all out in the open.
Hello Steven, I designed my system for 120-130mph winds because we are in Florida and we do get hurricanes. The uplift on your panels in a 60mph wind is not half 120mph, its more like 1/4 the uplift (Velocity squared). That said, I would go to the IronRidge site and use their online design tool to see what they would recommend based on all your info (panels, how many, orientation, ground type, wind speeds, etc.). That will give you a ballpark estimate of what you should design for. Thanks!
@@HomesteadEngineering Thank you!
David you do great work brother. I have owned a torque wrench for 20 years and have never used it. 🤣🤣🤣 - Rick
LOL!
Very nice video. I am considering either Iron Ridge or Sinclair ground mount system for 24 panels expanding to 30-35. Iron Ridge has a tool on their site to assist the design of how deep and far apart the posts go. Sinclair has seasonal adjustments due to hand cranks. I am not sure which I am going to go with. Iron Ridge has the stoutness for Texas winds and the other can adjust the angle which may not be as big of impact in Dallas are of Texas as it would be up north. Thoughts?
I think either way is good. I like four post at the corners better than singles down the middle. I do like the ability to adjust the angle and agree that it would be a much bigger factor up north. What is the price difference? Also, be sure to check out Gain Solar and Engineer 775 for examples. th-cam.com/video/XMveyVQNVdA/w-d-xo.html
@@HomesteadEngineering thanks for your reply. I kind of agree with the 4 posts idea. The cost is fairly close when you add in the substructure of schedule 40 pipe with the Iron Ridge. Both systems have a way of mounting without concrete and holes, but I think it is high risk (not using a post hole with concrete) for a residential guy like myself (like is there a any rock under the panel mounts to give me trouble). I will check the references you mentioned above. Thanks again! All the best!
Nice and easy i have seen so much ground mounts DIYs but i think il chosse this one
Great 👍
You are amazing. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Finally a comment that I completely agree with. :)
Are you using non-galvanized pipe? How is it holding up? Thanks
I think I used this:
www.onlinemetals.com/en/buy/carbon-steel/3-nom-schedule-40-carbon-pipe-a500/pid/23672?variant=23672_72_0&gclid=CjwKCAiAmJGgBhAZEiwA1JZolqQfc-hJ-3GX0mo4MJdoBO7V1WdxDgM4mD0togIag7OXFGDP1ODHzhoC1hsQAvD_BwE
It has surface rust as I did not paint it but It seams to be holding up just fine.
Thanks!
You are doing a great job!
Thank you!
Would a emp or cme affect the solar system of someone’s house if someone has solar & would a emp or cme affect a septic tank where you couldn’t go to bathroom in a toilet ,is a septic tank hooked up to electricity @homestead engineering
An EMP would likely effect a basic solar power system. Things like battery monitor kits and other sensitive electronics. There are action you can take to mitigate this risk. I believe the SOLARK systems are hardened but not sure. Lead acid batteries are much more resilient as they do not have BMK's. CME's are less risk if you are not connected to the grid. Septic systems should not be a problem. Thanks!
@@HomesteadEngineering thanks for the reply,take care
@@HomesteadEngineering is your well or any well similar to yours controlled by electricity or is it controlled by something else?i meant to ask you that when i asked about the cme &emp@homestead engineering
I just install my IronRidge ground mount structure and now installing the rails, question how did you know how far to space your rails. Thanks
Hello Greg, My panels are about 72.5" wide and I set my rails about 52" apart. You can lookup your panel and it will show the mounting locations in a diagram. Thanks!
Are you ok with mowing the grass under the array or will you turn it into pasture for the birds
I did pull the array off the fence enough to go behind it with my mower and my tractor. I can get under it pretty good as well with the zero turn. That's said, the chickens are going to get a shot at the entire dog pen. Well see how that goes with predators.
I like your video. Thinking about building one like it
Berlin, I am very happy with the results so far. You can design it to your own needs and I hope you give it a shot. If your not an electrician, be sure to have someone help you out a bit to make sure everything is done correctly. Thanks!
Just curious; you put the other panels on your shed, why not put these ones on your house ? Your roof faces the right way, so what's up ? Thanks for the great video. :)
Good question.
Advantages of ground mount:
1. Easy to build (no climbing on 2 story steep pitch roof)
2. Easy to clean and inspect
3. No worries about re-roofing down the line
4. No worries about a leaky roof
Disadvantages:
1. esthetics, on the roof is basically invisible whereas the ground mount is like adding another building to the property and it takes up that space.
Just thought of 1 more advantage: you can angle exactly as needed
It's coming along nicely. Do you need perfect or do you need functional? Don't sweat the small stuff, my friend. Good helper you had there. Did you get the concrete poured at the barn, too?
Hello Hoot, Exactly! I am very happy with it so far. Its cranking out a ton of power (can't even use it all). I am starting to lean on my battery bank more at night so I can use some of that power to recharge them. I plan to up my battery bank to about 30kWh of Lithium once these die. I just came across the Gyll LiFePO4 at $300/kWh. That would change everything. I would run my entire house off grid. BTW: I did finish the barn concrete as well. :)
Sweet install! Love your way of life at your humble abode. Thats quite a lot of concrete! I am in NY, and going to use Snap N Rack specs of 1.5" schedule 40 and 12" holes 4 feet deep. You sir can definitely handle a hurricane.
Did you go over your wiring and combiner box setup? I am doing mine as soon as my batteries show up in April I hope.
I will be covering the PT-100 setup next, followed by the combiner box and panel wiring and finish the series with the startup and performance. I will probably do a start to finish summary video at the end. All this has to wait a bit as I am just starting on a review video for the EchFlow River Pro. Thanks!
Excellent set up you did a great job. Just curious did you EMP proof your solar grid?
I did not design for an EMP. I currently see two ways to go: 1. A Sol-Ark system 2. Buy duplicates of all sensitive stuff and put them in a Faraday cage. That said, I don't think an EMP is a huge risk right now as in: why destroy what is currently destroying itself. CME is probably a bigger risk. Thanks for the question. :)
I have been following this but pardon my question as I have’nt seen it anywhere-What panels are those?
Hey Joe, They are the Q-Cells 370 Watt Mono Panels. Here is a complete list: th-cam.com/video/6KL8_Qks-Rs/w-d-xo.html
Homestead Engineering Ah there they are -I passed right over them. Thank You- Great stuff!
You could put a skyscraper on that foundation
Its not going anywhere. I imagine 1 million years from now when the human race is extinct, these four concrete cylinders will still be here... :)
Looks perfect to me
Thanks!
Nice.
Thanks!
FWIW The torque wrench is a tekton not a tektron. Tektron makes audio-related items.
But cut off piece of pipe and rails stickin out on panels
They could be trimmed back a bit but you never know, I might need to expand!