How to Install Solar Panels Using Unistrut
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Hello TH-camr's in this How To video I show you how to use uni-strut to mount your solar panels.
As you watch the video you see what I have used to lock the panels down and how I had them attached before. now you can also use the end clamps and mid clamps that you can buy with the Uni-rack systems. and still just the spring nuts and 1/4 bolts. I will later upgrade to those due to the fact that will make for a much cleaner install. washers work fine when panels are of the same height and size but on the ends and were solar panels are of different thickness it don't work to well. What I have done you don't to see it in the video on the ends were the panels start were the washer was tilted. I went and got a piece of Aluminum stock the same thickness as the solar panel and that fixed the end problem. as for the thinner panels I just put a small piece of metal to bring those panels up to the same height and it all worked out fine using just rubber and steal washers. so in the end it all worked out.
Also in this video there is a link to Missouri Wind and Solar Video were they install 920 watts of solar panels and hook them to a Solar/wind hybrid Grid Tie system. In this video he used the Uni-rack system, and all mounting hardware. Defiantly a clean install. Thanks Jeff for sharing your video. Here is a link to that video if you chose to watch it.
• Solar Panel Install to...
I also have a give a way going on it ends on April 10th winners will be notified that day and video up loaded on winners on the 11th. so click link for your chance to wind one of two Tachometers
• Tachometer Give away e...
Thanks for watching TH-cam.
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That used to cost FIFTEEN DOLLARS a piece?!
Oh how I miss those days.
34.00 at home depot for the 12 gauge
@@DaveGray-j7q Mine had it for $28.46, $24 each if you buy 10 lol
Im still mounting panels with unistrut, Thank you!
your junction box idea is genius. very heavy duty!
Love your idea for a water tight "combiner box". A few "Zip Ties" will be all that is needed to neaten things up, good work
+Mr. C Thanks
Great video.
We are bldg a ground mount array system as well.
We bought our panels at SanTan Solar in AZ.
it would be super useful if you can list the parts that you used for the project in the description and where to buy them or how much each costed...
This is the best video for DIY solar mounts on the internet.
I've thought about using those rails too. I would think a flat bar stock instead of washer would work better too. Jeff used to sell this setup years ago before he started selling the rails. The other thing is to insure that the panel frames are all ground to earth.
Btw, I got an message from Amazon on a panel deal with free shipping.
2pcs 100 W Watt 100W Solar Panels UL Listed Off Grid 12 Volt 12V RV Boat Marine
by Renogy
thanks for sharing
john
the washer was cheaper, lol. yes grounding is a must and you want it as close to the system as you can. I will have two 8 foot ground roods driven in to the ground. one at each end of the solar panel rack. and then a 4 foot Rod driven in the ground under the junction point. and then ground back to the equipment with the serge suppressors. because if lighting strikes you want as much of it to go to ground as it can. before it makes it to the inside equipment.
chk out SanTan Solar in AZ
I enjoyed your instruction and your personality. Thanks for a great video!
That is a clever setup alright. I have used unistrut for my last two installs as well. I am a little concerned about the crushing force being applied up on the edge of the actual cell area though. For this reason I chose to keep the bolt connection with its crushing force confined to the original mounting holes on the back side of the aluminum channel far from the cells themselves. I see this video was originated 8 years ago. Can you tell us (or would you) if there has been any damage to the panels over time? Thank you my friend. We enjoy your sharing your work with us.
It's very good but i think the cable its very thin and you need more strong cables. To delivery more Amper.... Sorry for my English... Very good job
grounding was my next question. Much thanks.
I mounted mine thru the holes on the back of the panel like you did first. I cut some 1.5" x 3" x 3/16" aluminum pieces to enforce the thin aluminum on the panel frame. If the Unistrut was attached to a roof there would be no wiggle or movement in the setup. But with a ground mount there will always be some movement in the wind. The panels could walk out from under them bolts....rubber washer or not. Also security wise it would take a whole lot longer to unbolt each panel. This is America 2014....there are no good safe areas anymore ALWAYS think security.
You already know I have the security cameras, and also two dogs. on is part pit and boxer, and the other is part pit and lab wired mix but when given the command will rip some one a part......Now that is why I had them on my small porch I had on the shed. because of that same reason. but here I have plans to have my entire 2 acres fenced in so my dogs can run the entire yard. but then again if some one wants something bad enough they will take it even if its bolted down. tomorrow I will be grounding them.
Well done sir. I will be installing my system like this. Thanks for your example.
Nice ! I have also done that both ways the way u do it now is easy & faster, doing stuff alone U can be quite inventive making spare hands, I use my engine crane for stuff U would not believe. If U bought all solar Product stuff U go broke quick .Nice job.
You Can Do This, All You Gotta Do Is Get Up And Do It Its True!!!
HOWdy M-W&S, ...
Try a piece of 3/4" PEX Water Pipe for a tubular SPACER-WASHER ...
you can cut it to what-ever length needed ...
it worked for me = mine were 2" in length ...
COOP
the WiSeNhEiMeR from Richmond, INDIANA
...
If you want a friend you need to have some beer around the house when you do stuff like this, lol.
$15! Jeez! Remember the good old days? Lowes sells them for $39 for a 10' section now! I am looking at that unistrut rack like it is a diamond ring LOL
Very nice! Makes for a clean look. This a great instructional video!
-Bob
Thank you, I need to build a solar array
Times have changed. I now use the cone nuts on the solar panels and then just slide the solar panels onto the track.
That should work well in a 70 mph wind.
Hello sir! Thanks for all the info, just now subscribed and looking forward to getting my head filled up with both knowledge AND wisdom. A question if you have time? I see you have cinderblocks weighting down your rack, is that just a "during construction" thing or does the wind not blow much where you live? Not trying to be a smartass, just wondering because the wind here in NC can get to be ferocious. Thanks for your time and efforts
Hey no problem man. You know I should really mount them better but I have had them setting like that now for 4 years on the ground like that nothing but the weight of the solar panels holding it down. I guess I would be shit up the creak with out a paddle if the wind ever cam in from the back side and flopped them over but I guess I have been lucky. I have had up to 70mph winds across them but its been either from the south or west. and the wind has not been able to grab it to flip them and with them being at an angle it just pushed them down further in the ground. I do need a much better mount.
Have you made any friends since this video?
Seems like a piece of heavy gauge galvanized track metal, the metal they use for commercial office buildings bent & cut into little Z bar pieces would work better on the outside edges.
I love the info pop up that says hot dipped if your going to use it outside... I use my solar panels in side all the time haha just busting your balls.. that is a great setup... NICE JOB!!! thanks for the video.. thumbs up... do you have that anchored to the ground? if not, it is a good Idea to. a good storm could flip that ...
as of now now its not. I should be. but have not had the money for proper anchors. but as of now this has been through 50mph winds and has not moved a inch. once I know were I want to put them at for good I will poor footings with bolts coming up to bolt it down. You know. that was to let some people to know panels work better out side. hence this can be done with out friends LOL or help.
not sure where you're getting your unistrut from... but the prices are way up now!
Yea there is never a spare set of hands when you need them. Thanks for lesson. Oh yes you ever worried about them getting stolen at ground level?
NA I Have security cameras. And my dogs would alert me before they got to far. now I'm in a area with less people. in the city were I did live in a trailer park I was even afraid when I had them up on the porch. I will soon have a fence up a round the entire 2 acres. and the dogs will be allowed to roam the entire area. and with them be pits. I don't think many would try. lol.
You can't mix different solar panels like that, the higher voltage panels will push power through the lower volage panels therefore lowering the power output. You will probably get more power if you disconnect the smaller panels.
What brand and wattage are those panels? Think I found the answer in your other vids, "Hightec 150s".
How do you adjust for winter and summer? Otherwise I like your setup. I've used unistrut at work for years.
Lookin good!!!...keep up the good work!!
What the wonderfull work
Cool video my friend . From texas
Hi I would like to put this together next year, where can I get supplies? what kind of costs am I looking at? Also, will be doing on my own. Much Thanks Roxanne
Im thinking about building me a unistruct ground mount is ur mount above ground kinda looks like it
Looks Good. I also used Unistrut on my system. How did you mount it at an angle?
What are those metal rails made of? Do they rust ?
They are steel , you can get them painted or galvanized. They are available at any home improvement store.
the screws between panels are easy to install, what about the ones at beginning of the panels and at the final, they only have support on one side the nut is going to tilt
Yea the ones at the end tilted a way, so I ended up getting all the brackets for the panels the end clamps and the mid clamps. The washers in the middle will work but on the end not so much. It was like that for a year until I got all the clamps. if any thing at all. I would at least get the end clamps since they are made to hold on to the panels. thanks for the comment.
Have you given any thought to a solar tracking system?
After reading thru your comments etc, I understand about the wind, so dont waste electrons on me! LOL I would like some input on text books, how-tos and so on, so I dont waste money on books full of BS, thanks
you must not have snow, this year we have had three feet hanging around, which would bury the bottom half of the panels.
john
Im looking at doing something similar. How did these hold up overtime?
they have been sitting now for over 6 years.
@@McCuneWindandSolar would you mind telling me me what you used to link the unitrust frames together please to create your tilt frame angle? I'm trying to do the same thing but I'm not very handy. Thank you in advance!
What size bolts, washer etc?
Hi McCuneWindandSolar, I could use your help. I am building your frame with a couple minor changes,. I purchased 1/2 bolts and nuts to bolt the two struts together. Just like your video shows. The bottom unistrut your slots are facing up. The top unistrut your slots are acing down. Here is what is killing me. Using 1/2 bolt and nut and lock washer, I can not get a socket to or wrench inside the strut to tighten the bolt and nut. What did you do? did you use a smaller hardware. Please help. Thanks
I used all 1/4 in bolts and nuts and used a 7/16th socket and wrench
FYI they are now around $25 for 10ft section
I know at the big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes they are 25 bucks. but I get mine at Kirby electrical supply were I live they are still 15 for each still. Here at Lowes were I live they are 25 for 10 foot piece.
Nice video, but around 5:00 to 5:15, that got kinda of weido hahaha, nice tutorial man...
How many warshers do you need?!
This is what we use in HVAC and is what I will use on my solar system and I will upload a video on it
how do you keep it from blowing away?
Good question ... I was just thinking about Pennywise The Dancing Clown (Stephen King movie) .. the whole circus was blown away !!
What gauge are these unistruts?
$23 for a 10 foot section on 2021 🙄. Let’s go Brandon!
really! #MAGA
Now 36 let's go Brandon!
Quick question: who certifies all these DIY connections to make sure they are up to electrical codes? A lot of folks out there will attempt to do this not knowing they need a real electrician for the final connection to the electrical panel.
You can call your electrical Company and they will send out a electrical engineer out to check to make sure every thing is up to code. Codes very from state to state and local. So if you are ever unsure talk to an electrical engineer, and they will let you know every thing you need to know. You can do all the work your self. But needs inspected. All solar panes are to be bonded to ground using a separate 8 foot ground rod for your solar's panels. I boned each panel to a 12 gauge wire for each string of 4 those grounds are then sent to a buss bar that is then sent down a 8 gauge bar wire to the ground rod. I have 4 strings of 4 solar panels for each string, that goes in to a junction box with Breakers for each string then from that to the inside of my shed to yet another breaker panel. then out from breaker panel to charge controller, then braker from charge controller to battery bank inverters ect. I do not back freed back to the grid my system can be a stand a long system, but is set up to were when I have plenty of solar coming in my home runs off the solar until there is not enough solar to maintain my loads and then it auto switches back to the grid becoming like a large UPS for if or when the power goes out. Every thing is grounded. along with lighting aresters both at the solar panels junction box and breakers and the inside breakers. ect. My electrician said some of my stuff was over kill but he said its always to have more safety in place then not enough You do not need an electrician to wire up your own stuff. But for insurance you need to have it inspected and it to pass. or if you want to back feed the grid with GTI's ect Witch requires and inspection to obtain a net metering system. It all depends as said before from state.
You don't need an electrician to do any of the install as long you can do the work yourself. Most electric companies do however require a final inspection by a licensed electrician. All of this can be DIY except the final inspection.
LIAR HILLARY Thanks for the comment and your right.
You failed to use fuse or breakers at your junction box. I guess you don’t have codes where you are located.
Your right that is my stupidity.
Looks like a big kite. I would worry about how it is secured to the dirt and if it is good for 135 mph winds.
I bought instruction from inplix and I build it very very cheap
I am sure you can still buy handbook with all info you need on INPLIX. Just google it.
My works too. I used Inplix handbooks and build it without any problems.
😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈
Do not follow this guy's advice. This is not a secure mounting method. Those washers do not have a secure clamp on the frame. The bolts on the outside edges are especially weakly connected. Geez - I can't believe you went from the superior method where you had a bolt going through metal to this nonsense method. You will notice that nothing in industry is secured this way and that is because this method is NOT secure.
Men dont ask 4 help
I know more about diy from Avasva handbooks!
Oh, my gosh. This is super sketchy. Please do not think this is acceptable to do by any means. This may work, but there are so many choices that are not code compliant, this gentleman is opening himself to huge liability for failures that could easily lead to fires or property damage from modules flying around in a storm.
totally bogus - go mccuncewindandsolar - this guy (Bryce) is trying to scare people with 'codes' - so full of s@#$ - the DC side of solar panels is just school boy/girl physics - + / - / grnd - wire sizing calculators available online - codes captured in 6 lines - I just put in a system and the local inspector refused to sign it off (which means nothing) - when I challenged him why he couldn't justify it - the system is completely code compliant, its just not been put in by the one-&-only county certified installer (his friend) - corrupt as f#$% - the AC was done by a registered electrician - the DC was done by me under the home owners clause - I've not heard back from the county's corrupt building dept & never will - as soon as I pushed back their argument crumbled & they ran away - pls get out there and do your own installs and fight for your rights - don' t listen to those that are trying to protect their fat livings pretending that their skills that are more than the super basics that are required..... go solar
If you don't know how to make it by yourself , just go to inplix website.