[RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[James Jarvis]

[image: image.png]
^ Here is what I designed and we manufacture for positive module
securement. Two  heavy extruded aluminum t-shaped clamps that fully grab
the long sides of the modules. Serrations to grip the modules. Machined
slots for captive hardware that clamps the modules together. We use these
our military and industrial power systems. Some of them get deployed to
pretty wickedly windy location. I am not sure how big of attachments are
allowed on this list, but you can e-mail if you want to see installed
photos.

In conjunction with above, we also use the REC TwinPeaks series modules
that have the extra cross bars across the back of the glass. Do any other
module manufacturers have those stiffeners across the back?

-James Jefferson Jarvis
APRS World, LLC
+1-507-454-2727
http://www.aprsworld.com/


On Sun, Mar 10, 2024 at 10:15 AM Ray Walters via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> That's just distortion in the image, from when I zoomed and cropped it.
> Its module frame direct to the 2" angle aluminum support rail. Nothing in
> between.  High winds ripped two other modules completely off the rack
> leaving all the hardware still attached with a bit of module frame still
> under the washers .
>
> This is on a mountain top in Wyoming.   Believe me, when I tell you that
> bottom mounting is no longer a safe method with today's big modules, at
> least not in high wind situations (> 90 mph).  I measured the thickness of
> the module frame, and its about 1/2 the thickness of an old Siemens SP75
> that I compared it to.  These were Solar World modules, but I've noticed
> most modules today have significantly less robust frames than the old
> days.
>
> More surface area to catch the wind + thinner metal = failure at high
> enough wind speed.
>
> BTW, the rack is a DPW high wind model, both the rack and the 4" pole
> didn't budge at all, just the modules themselves.  I've had a second
> system, same configuration have similar damage in a wind storm just last
> year.  Its just on the top modules, not all of them.  I have quite a few MT
> Solar racks with the top down mounting, and no losses.   I've been
> suspicious of top down module racking; and I was quite satisfied with
> actual bolts and hardware to hold modules in place.  But its just not true
> anymore.    I added 3/4" angle stainless steel to reinforce the attachments
> on the top modules.
>
>
> Ray Walters
> On 3/9/2024 12:44 PM, Kent via RE-wrenches wrote:
>
> Ray,
>
> It appears that there is something between the module frame and rail that
> may have introduced the frame crack. Perhaps as it was tightened, and not
> due to the wind. What is the light material that looks like it is
> sandwiched between the module and rail?
>
> Kent Osterberg
> On 3/8/2024 4:23 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches wrote:
>
> Here's another mount at the edge of failure, from the same system.
> Hardware is tight.  Like many, I had lots of love for good ol' fashion
> bottom mounting vs top mount, until this happened about 5 years ago.
>
> This is how we learn.
>
>
> On 3/8/2024 5:15 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches wrote:
>
> I've had several modules pull off of bottom mount racking in high winds,
> but never top mount racking.  Newer modules have much thinner frames, but
> are much more surface area than the old days.
>
>
> Ray Walters
> Remote Solar
>
> On 3/8/2024 3:50 PM, Kent via RE-wrenches wrote:
>
> and for the life of me I don't understand the logic of of a top mount
> clamp on a TPM.
>
> Kent Osterberg
> Blue Mountain Solar
>
>
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