Roof Tech vs Quick Mount vs full racking

[dust999]

Has anybody here used the Roof Tech Air Mount racking system to mount panels? http://roof-tech.us/rt-e-mount-air

I'm comparing this product to the Quick Mount Quick Rack (http://quickmountpv.com/quickrack/index.html) alternative which uses flashing to slide under the shingles and one long bolt screwed into the rafter. Roof Tech use 4 shorter bolts which screw into the roof board itself, no flashing.

Both options are a quicker install for the vendor, but is it a better system to mount panels over a full racking one?

[emartin00]

I personally wouldn't use the Air Mount, for 2 reasons. 1) 4 screws into 1/2" plywood won't be nearly as strong as a 4" lag screw. 2) no flashing means it will likely start to leak eventually.

The quickmount system is well designed and gaining popularity. It's not ideal for roofs with many obstructions to work around, or places with high snow loads.

Edit: I also just realized the Air Mount doesn't bond the modules in each row, so you still need to run a wire to each row. Quickmount bonds the whole array together.

[dust999]

Great, thx.

[inetdog]

I personally wouldn't use the Air Mount, for 2 reasons. 1) 4 screws into 1/2" plywood won't be nearly as strong as a 4" lag screw. 2) no flashing means it will likely start to leak eventually.

The quickmount system is well designed and gaining popularity. It's not ideal for roofs with many obstructions to work around, or places with high snow loads.

Edit: I also just realized the Air Mount doesn't bond the modules in each row, so you still need to run a wire to each row. Quickmount bonds the whole array together.

Is the Quickmount hardware UL listed for grounding/bonding?

[emartin00]

Is the Quickmount hardware UL listed for grounding/bonding?

It is listed to UL2703 which includes bonding and grounding.

[SolarSuz]

Quick Rack vs Roof Tech

I'm the Quick Mount PV trainer for the East Coast, so I'm obviously biased. But anyone who wants my take, here it is;
Quick Rack is a patented, highly tested and over-engineered product. I've been assisting with installations for the past year and a half, so it's not new. The flashing is very similar to our flagship product that uses the Q-Block and incorporates the same elevated water seal technology approved by all major roofing manufacturers not to void their warrantee. The Base Mount allows for 1-1/8" of leveling which has been sufficient on all projects to date.
Roof Tech has no flashing, and if you want to call butyl tape a flashing I'll be glad to argue with you. This makes it a code violation. No leveling means it would put all the pressure of a typical wavy roof onto the modules themselves, causing micro-cracking at the least, and shattered modules at worst.
If any of you were at SPI, you will recall that we were the only rail-free mounting system manufacturer that is engineered for all 50 states and was doing actual demonstrations.
Feel free to email me if you want more info:

Suz
Unless you want to be slammed with spam it isnt wise to put yoir email in a post.
Besides that we dont allow aich things for newbies

[emartin00]

I'm the Quick Mount PV trainer for the East Coast, so I'm obviously biased. But anyone who wants my take, here it is;
Quick Rack is a patented, highly tested and over-engineered product. I've been assisting with installations for the past year and a half, so it's not new. The flashing is very similar to our flagship product that uses the Q-Block and incorporates the same elevated water seal technology approved by all major roofing manufacturers not to void their warrantee. The Base Mount allows for 1-1/8" of leveling which has been sufficient on all projects to date.
Roof Tech has no flashing, and if you want to call butyl tape a flashing I'll be glad to argue with you. This makes it a code violation. No leveling means it would put all the pressure of a typical wavy roof onto the modules themselves, causing micro-cracking at the least, and shattered modules at worst.
If any of you were at SPI, you will recall that we were the only rail-free mounting system manufacturer that is engineered for all 50 states and was doing actual demonstrations.
Feel free to email me if you want more info: ]

How do you cope with the high snow loads? 50psf is required in my area. I played around with your configuration tool, and it required nearly twice as many roof penetrations compared to a traditional racking system.

[SolarSuz]

Quick Rack and snow loads

How do you cope with the high snow loads? 50psf is required in my area. I played around with your configuration tool, and it required nearly twice as many roof penetrations compared to a traditional racking system.

We are engineered for up to 60psf in landscape. We have a new more lenient engineering report due out next week that should help your design. Just remember that we only have one row of penetrations per row, plus 1, rather than two rows of penetrations per row typically required with rail.

[Naptown]

Whose modules are you currently approved to usr this system with?

[emartin00]

Just remember that we only have one row of penetrations per row, plus 1, rather than two rows of penetrations per row typically required with rail.

That may be true, but with a strong rail system, I can get 48-72" spans. Your configuration tool says I can only go 32", which requires me to hit every rafter using 24" centers. That gives me 85 bases for a 6kW array. Vs only 48 L feet with a traditional racking system

[Naptown]

Remember that is for a landscape install. Standsrd rail in that configuration takes a bout twice the rail in length and reduces the allowable snow load by about half.

[dust999]

Thx for all the input. I've signed up for the roof tech air mount system. I like the idea of NOT using just one screw into a rafter. I have a finished attic so the installer cannot see if the screw has missed or half missed the rafter thereby compromising the install. Also, I like the idea of NOT using flashing to push up under the shingles. I've looked at the butyl tape sealer, should not be a problem sealing for water. Other reasons for my decision.....neater install, less weight on the roof.

[SolarSuz]

Compatible Module list

Whose modules are you currently approved to usr this system with?

Here is a link that lists all the current module frames the system is compatible with: http://www.quickmountpv.com/quickrac...vedModules.pdf