GlennWest

We got stiff wind today. Gusts of 25 mph. When is it to windy to install panels?

30 minutes ago, Chad Heiser said:

The provided screws work fine.  They are all I typically use.  On large panels like yours though, I always use six mounts per panel.  That means twelve of the smaller screws holding the panels to the roof.  If you are only using four mounts per panel, I would prefer the larger screws you are using.

They are very solid using just 4. On the taller mounted panels I have six mounts. Also bolted panels together with angle iron. They won't move at all. The panels lower rest on the cover my refrigerant lines run in. I pulled up in center and they don't flex at all.  

Got 7 panels up. One more day and should finish solar panel install. Still waiting on battery disconnects and box for solar breakers. When I finish solar panels will get some pics for yall

My brackets came with #10 sheet metal screws. I am using 1/4" lag screws. Would the #10 be good to use? Those 1/4" lock down good.

Initially we got the cheaper version. We're not happy with it. Went to Best Buy and got the 8800. All we did was change sim. Never an issue. 

Got 4 panels up now. Must be getting stronger because not having any trouble getting them up there now. I am over vent and mini split. I removed the antenna and left base. We never use it anyway. Things going faster now that I am not having to make all brackets. Those panels are very rigid. I have just 4 mounts on the last panel and it is rigid. It will not move when i pull up in center. None at all. I do believe I will go with just 4 mounts. I mean me pulling and no movement, I see no need for it. I am using the brackets Chad linked for me. They have enough adjustment I will not need any additional flat bar on the rest of them. I did use flat bar going over the vent. Wanted some clearance so we could use it. 

I pulled cable back up to roof. Cut hole in wall in bathroom. Actually a square hole. Exposing the vent line. Drilled hole in pipe vent and feed lines back down and DW fished them in at hole in pipe. Then ran fish tape up from storage area to bathroom where hole cut. Pulled into storage while DW kept it untangled. Put panel back up and finished it with molding. Just looks like it needs a picture in it. Lol. DW happy now and I am out of doghouse. 

Loosing this battle. Will have no rest with DW until I change it. 

Used z brackets. May put sheet of aluminum under them on carpet. 

Yes my inverters have Mppt rated at 500 volts. All 10 of mine will be slightly over that. So splitting up to two sets and feed each unit. 

Didn't find any Blue Seas with high voltage. Didn't know the others. Will check out. need two switches for 260v 50 amp dc. splitting panels in two sets all serial. My amperage is 42.

Lots of them on Amazon. Do ya'll use one. Don't hear them discussed much. 

Got inverters mounted. Brackets I ordered shipped out today. So should have them mid week. Going to vote tomorrow. That a trip for us. Get back on project Wednesday. Can hook up inverters all but solar. 

It is actual pv wire. 600 v rating. Direct burial. Wet or dry.  Photovoltaic wire. Yes I looked it up and stated submersible. Showed it to DW and she calmed down now. I didn't realize it was a drain to. Went straight up to roof so I taped in. When she stayed washing I had a leak. Just needed more silicon I made mistake of telling her. 

Found vent on roof. Went straight down to basement area close to door. Great. So drilled hole and ran solar pv cable. Now I find out this is a vent and drain line for washing machine. Drain line with vent tied into it.DW is concerned about this. I don't see any liquid or bleach strong enough to damage it. It rains on it every time it rains. Our new quick spin out washer forces some water up vent line. I tried into bottom of ninety fitting. Think this be good or DW got it right.

I actually have some extra z brackets. Thanks. 

I read where they recommend this. But when carpet is under it is it really any safer? 

Got pv cables ran. Went thru a vent that feed shower and sink. No smells at all. Ran random lengths. Can trim to fit as I go. Wires long enough on panels to hook up to next one. Also got another panel up. 

I used the rivet nuts in the fiberglass. Didn't get it clean enough for the tape. They holding good. Likely best way. Going to put 4 z brackets on the fiberglass end. Maybe overkill but peace of mind.  All I got done today. Wind died down this evening to get one up. It about all I can do to lift that panel up on top. Going to get help on rest. Put picnic table next to slide out. Placed panel on table. Panel almost reached the top. If I was a little stronger could do this myself. Think I better clean the top tomorrow before I go any further. Need to route a cable in also before putting another panel on.

Mistaken. I could not find well nuts locally. But I did find a rivet nut kit at harbor freight. Came with 10 1/4" rivet nuts, brass, in it. Should be enough

Think I saw them in local hardware. Or at lest looked like them. Didn't know what they were. Thank you.

I now have the brackets made to get over the mini split cover. Can come down to about 4.5" now to clear the rest. That is from a height of 7.5" The panels are 42" wide so I don't believe there will be any shading problems with sloping down this amount. I ordered the brackets Chad linked for the rest. Now I will have to make my center supports since I cannot reach under them that far. Question guys, I am using 3/4x1/16" aluminum angle iron. On the center support I am making a tee to catch both panels. Should I run a self tapping screw in or put a rivet nut on it? 

We are close to lake Jackson TX. It is even windy here. 

Got up on roof today. Done good, minor pain. Expected with my injury. Panels are nearly 43" wide. I was told 40". So each end will be on fiberglass section not rubber roof. Think I will be standard z brackets and vhb tape on the ends. That will allow air to go over panels instead of under. The mini split cassette box will have a complete panel and 10" of another in front of it. So most of a panel will be over the box. I can drop down after that some. Still have to be high enough to clear antenna (we don't use it), vents and bathroom vent. I am running high enough voltage that I can use 10 gauge pv cable. there is a vent right above the bathroom. Thinking of going down it. Go tomorrow and get some ss bolts for brackets I am making. 

yes roof is curved some. thanks for link. I may not need to go over top of cassette cover. Soon as rain ends going to go up and check. Would have to go high enough so it doesn't cast shade.