Question s regarding mounting panels on a curved roof?

[PNW_Steve]

And you will have less of an issue with galvanic corrosion if you use aluminum.

It will be painted. I would think that a quality paint job would protect it adequately.

What do you think?

[PNW_Steve]

The steel Unistrut is very heavy, especially so for the larger rectangular type. If the aluminum version of Unistrut is available you might want to consider it.

Not terriby concerned about the weight. I have an 8000 pound "weight budget" for the conversion.

[Ampster]

The steel Unistrut is very heavy, especially so for the larger rectangular type. If the aluminum version of Unistrut is available you might want to consider it.

And you will have less of an issue with galvanic corrosion if you use aluminum.

[littleharbor]

The steel Unistrut is very heavy, especially so for the larger rectangular type. If the aluminum version of Unistrut is available you might want to consider it.

[DMH]

I do know that solar panels have venting at the rear, I am guessing their output increases or at least there is less drop in output? I am seeing so many boats with the flexible versions glued to curved cabin roof and decks, I would reckon if you calculate your needs you may still cover your usage? If it really is as simple as it appears then your mounting problems are sorted at the stroke of a brush dipped in adhesive?



Dave

[PNW_Steve]

[QUOTE=Ampster;n395386]They make unistrut or equivalent in a profile that is rectangular and therefore higher than the square profile. I got mine at McMaster Carr.[/QUOTE

Thank you.

I will check it out.

[Ampster]

They make unistrut or equivalent in a profile that is rectangular and therefore higher than the square profile. I got mine at McMaster Carr.

[PNW_Steve]

Here we go...

[PNW_Steve]

The link takes me to the forum page that I need to log in to see. If you are a member it probably takes you right to the photo.

Doooh!

Why didn't I think of that.... Let me see what I can do.

[SunEagle]

My apologies. I thought you were joking.


I checked the link and it works for me...... Can anyone else see it?

The link takes me to the forum page that I need to log in to see. If you are a member it probably takes you right to the photo.

[PNW_Steve]

Sounds like you're not too mechanically inclined or imaginative. You were asking for a way to approach mounting to a curved roof and I gave you a perfectly viable option. Nobody seemed to be offering solutions. Fact is, if I had this situation I very likely would create some trusses cut to the curvature of the roof. And I'd leave the duct tape out of the equation.

BTW When I clicked on your link in the first post it took me to the home page of that site, not whatever photo you are eluding to.

My apologies. I thought you were joking.


I checked the link and it works for me...... Can anyone else see it?

[J.P.M.]

How much duct tape should I use to hold the trusses?

Depends how good you are at interpreting redneck engineering drawings.

Otherwise, I'd use one definition as a guide: Duct tape == hundred mile tape. As in: That's how long it will last when used in vehicle repair.

[littleharbor]

How much duct tape should I use to hold the trusses?

Sounds like you're not too mechanically inclined or imaginative. You were asking for a way to approach mounting to a curved roof and I gave you a perfectly viable option. Nobody seemed to be offering solutions. Fact is, if I had this situation I very likely would create some trusses cut to the curvature of the roof. And I'd leave the duct tape out of the equation.

BTW When I clicked on your link in the first post it took me to the home page of that site, not whatever photo you are eluding to.

[PNW_Steve]

You could fabricate some wooden trusses by making a template and duplicating them out of 2X lumber. You asked.

How much duct tape should I use to hold the trusses?

[PNW_Steve]

I go for all cells in a string having the same sun alignment. Otherwise, those with the
worst alignment will hold back output of the others. Bruce Roe

I will be flat mounting the panels. I just need to decide how.

Any thoughts on the method shown in the picture I linked in the first post?