[RE-wrenches] Best racking systems (was Awkward Mid-clamps & jigs for installing or removing modules?)

August Goers august at luminalt.com
Fri Jan 18 14:04:38 PST 2013


All -



This thread brought up a question I've been mulling over for a while - what
is the best flush mount rack out there these days on the market? I've tried
a lot of different racks and am always on the hunt to find something better
but the more experience I get I keep going back to Pro Solar and Unirac
SolarMount. Pro Solar's price can't be beaten and once you get over having
to drill a quick hole for every stanchion point it goes in really quickly.
Plus, their mid clamps and end clamps are really solid, easy to work with,
and work well with WEEBs.



All that said, I still want something more. Fast and versatile is always
better so I'll keep looking. The specialized racks like Zep seem cool but
seem to lack the versatility aspect. Has anyone tried using Unirac's latest
gen system SolarMount Evolution?



Best,



August



*From:* re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:
re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *benn kilburn
*Sent:* Friday, January 18, 2013 12:09 PM
*To:* Wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Awkward Mid-clamps & jigs for installing or
removing modules?



William,

Your helper is suggesting using 4 end-clamps per module, is that right?
 Sounds like a good concept in some regards but is it worth using the extra
clamps (almost twice as many)

as well, this would eliminate the possibility of WEEB type module frame
bonding, as they only work with mid-clamps not ends, as far as i know.



I'm not familiar with Iron Ridge racks, if that matters.  I agree that the
various mid-clamps i've used can be clumsy from time to time,
*especially*when coupled with WEEBs, or when the rack/clamp mfgr only
leaves barely
enough thread to hold the nut on the bolt when fitting into place.  Much
time can be spent adjusting and readjusting (flathead screwdriver) to get
the the mid-clamp/weeb lined up just right so that the WEEB is properly
installed



Note to WEEB rep... I hope you are listening/reading... on any of the WEEBs
i've used the teeth are just barely wide apart enough to catch each edge of
the module frames it is bonding. Is this absolutely necessary?  There is
practically no wiggle room left-to-right, the WEEB has to be lined up
perfectly.  This can turn a smooth quick operation into a meticulous
sometimes aggravating task.

Request: Why don't you spread out the teeth on the clip just a few more mm.
 It would make using the WEEB so much easier and time efficient.



Regardless of the individual module mounting method or not, you jig idea is
good and ideal for installing mods single-handed or for a crew.  I'll
certainly put a bit of thought into it and let you know if i come up with
anything.



cheers,

benn



DayStar Renewable Energy Inc.

www.daystarsolar.ca

780-906-7807

Certified Construction Electrician Solar Photovoltaic Systems Certified

Certificate # 0007S

HAVE A SUNNY DAY


------------------------------

From: wmdorsett at sbcglobal.net
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:35:56 -0600
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Awkward Mid-clamps & jigs for installing or removing
modules?

Single-handed mounting for replacing or installing modules on racks. My
helper installing an array on an Iron Ridge rack commented (like so many of
you have surely thought) that the mid-clamps are really clumsy. His
suggestion was that on his, he would lengthen the rail and only use end
clamps so each module would be independently mounted, removed or the
Enphase replaced. Of course this would apply to UniRack and other
mid-clamps too. Can anyone recommend a jig for supporting the line of
modules, while they are individually being clamped or unclamped? Perhaps a
long length of Al angle braced back to the rail, so the bottoms of the
modules can sit in a straight line while they are being clamped. Even a
couple sliding Z-shaped spring hooks that can support the bottoms might
work one module at a time as long as the rail is s



Bill Dorsett

Sunwrights

1715 Leavenworth

Manhattan, KS

785/539-1956 Home/Office




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