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Old 07-02-13, 10:28 AM   #21
pinballlooking
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It Looks great so far.
You need this
PV Module Lift | Home Power Magazine
Here is a similar lift.

I think you will be happy with your choices. It is amazing how much money you can save by DIY.
I hope it dries out for you.

wow how far apart are your mounting feet? They look really close together. Those panels are never blowing off that roof.


Last edited by pinballlooking; 07-02-13 at 10:31 AM..
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Old 07-02-13, 10:39 AM   #22
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Looking great Trevor! Keep us updated.
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Old 07-02-13, 11:00 AM   #23
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Mounting brackets are 18" apart. The next option was 36" and I probably could have gotten away with it, but for the extra $700 and a little longer to install, I felt it was worth it.
I have a tractor to get the panels to the bottom of the roof, but the next 24' up the roof at a 8x12 pitch is where I am a little nervous. Any suggestions would certainly be apprecieated.
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Old 07-02-13, 11:11 AM   #24
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I put all my panels up on my roof by myself and I used one of these. It was a life saver. (your roof is more of a pitch than mine.)
Grip-On Tools 4-Head Suction Cup Dent Puller
Grip-On Tools 4-Head Suction Cup Dent Puller | Auto Body Tools| Northern Tool + Equipment
It would have been so much harder without it. Just put it on the glass side then the panel goes under your arm. You carry the panel with one hand just make sure put a little pressure on each cup as you push down the locking lever. I used it on all 40 panels not once did it even come close to letting loose.

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Old 07-02-13, 11:26 AM   #25
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Thanks, I just ordered one from amazon. Should have it tomorrow. I will let you know how it works on a steep roof.
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Old 07-02-13, 11:48 AM   #26
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When I was researching solar I saw a video of an install in the UK and the roof was steeper than yours. They had hired the job to a solar installer. It was too steep and a very small roof section for two people. They used this tool to do the install. I bought this tool the next day for my install.

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Old 07-02-13, 06:23 PM   #27
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Pinballlooking wanted photos:



24" bracket spacing, three rails per row of portrait panels, 102 brackets in total for just 20 panels.

The pink flagging signified roughly where the frames of each panel should fall, so I could keep my heat shrink coated stainless steel tie wraps out of those areas.

A better photo of the trunk cable restraints




Last edited by where2; 07-03-13 at 10:52 PM.. Reason: Fixed oversized photos. Added more photos.
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Old 07-03-13, 11:32 AM   #28
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Nice looking install.
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Old 07-03-13, 09:31 PM   #29
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Thanks guys. Tapping the roof with a hammer to locate the trusses proved faster and frequently more accurate than using the $60 stud finder. Had to use a probe wire on every pilot hole to verify we hit the truss, and even then some missed when we drilled them for the 5/16" bolts. (moved and re-drilled) Used peel-n-stick under every bracket, and covered every bolt head with neoprene flashing from a caulking tube. Sealed the brackets to the roof with neoprene flashing from a caulking tube to keep out wind driven rain from a hurricane. I'll see if I can find a photo showing all the Microinverters hanging on the rails and add that to the collection above, since this thread was about microinverter.
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Old 07-05-13, 11:27 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevor View Post
Thanks, I just ordered one from amazon. Should have it tomorrow. I will let you know how it works on a steep roof.
Did you get a chance to install any panels?

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