DIY Adjustable 400w Solar Array Pole Mount for the DIY Off Grid Workshop

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

How to Build a DIY Off Grid Workshop kzbin.info/aero/PLC_QVs9y_q3sAMyeyEhlJyCNSbfrvDSaq

[@smoovlatino]

This is the most amazing custom mount I have ever seen. Very very nice work!

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you so much, I appreciate it!

[@Joebanker80]

That's got to be the best homemade solar rack I've seen yet and for $50 ... that's amazing! Much sturdier that an expensive mount too.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you! It's been rock solid and works quite well.

[@Joebanker80]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 For sure ... I'll be on the lookout for old bed frames now :) Great craftsmanship on this project!

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you and I wish you the best with your project!

[@etiennelouw9244]

Lovely work, one suggestion, find a way to put it into a storm position with strong winds. I am doing the same thing over here in Cape Town, South Africa.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

That’s a good idea 👍🏻

[@scott-kf1bi]

Great job, thanks for the idea, love it.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thanks for watching!

[@dayjuanhickson3458]

That’s phenomenal work sir. I’m currently in school for this field and just browsing the internet for information and videos and may I say this is great work 💯🫡

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you I appreciate your kind words. I wish you the best with your future career in this field!

[@punisher8429]

Well done.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[@sungod1968]

Just great would work near my garden shed already have the concrete in front of shed to mount it

[@rodgerhatfield3068]

Great looking stand and I love the manual adjustability!!

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thanks Rodger, I think the adjustability will be a significant advantage over fixed mount panels. I'll be doing some future testing over the course of a day to find out approx. how much better it is to have adjustable panels vs fixed mount panels.

[@foodforestretirement2799]

Awesome simple and effective. Great design.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Glad you like it!

[@csmith785]

Thanks for sharing. I'm building a setup almost identical to this for my shed.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Glad it was helpful! I wish you the best with your project!

[@GregNTech]

Would be really cool if you could make that solar array into a solar tracking array.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I agree!

[@gregp3824]

Damn....You for hire? Outstanding. I am going to "steal" your design

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I wish you the best with your project!

[@OU812NVME]

You always are doing stuff thx 4 all U do and teaching and educating us...thx again

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I appreciate that Johnny Boy.

[@cloeducationtv]

I really like this, especially using resources you already had. very cool!

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you!

[@JenkinsUSA]

You got me at 👍🏻 yea. Nice work indeed. Yea 🤓 never thought of bed frames, but I don’t weld. I thought of using aluminum ladders for the span. Your thoughts? Also, what is oil line piping, and where can I get it. Orlando Fl. Thanks for this awesome build. You my friend are very clever 👊

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I think aluminum ladders would work great but a little expensive unless you find some used ones at a garage sale or something. Pipeline is prominent around here and can be found on facebook marketplace. You have to be careful though because there are a lot of price gougers out there on that platform. Sometimes there is also some drill pipe, it's used for drilling oil, gas or water wells and it's pretty good stuff too but price gougers on that stuff too. I don't know if it's available in Florida or not. I wish you the best with your project! 👍👊

[@JenkinsUSA]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 Thanks, for sure weathered ladders. Kinda figured the weight and there is two spans in a extension ladder and holes to route cabling through. Just thinking. 🤓

[@JHillStudios]

Awesome. I hope you don't mind that we use your idea. I have a 400 watt system that will be used to power our greenhouse.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Not at all, that’s why I post these videos. It’s good to share ideas so everyone can benefit. I wish you the best with your project!

[@condell1956]

Nice clean setup.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thanks!

[@babkaking]

Best pole mount is by RPS system Have it for my panel . Light weight and angle adjuster

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

What's the price on a RPS pole mount system?

[@Mr1DANBOY]

I like the design if you change your pin for a bolt and nut with a safety hair pin clip on the outside of the nut it will keep the top from lifting off the pole in the wind

[@enriquelaroche5370]

Consider a couple of 300watt panels Probably fit on the same frame and give you 50% more power ..probably cheaper too.

[@stargazersheilab4027]

I didn't see how you mount the actual solar panels on the structure, but saw you put them up there. Can you share that? We are building someting very similar but an array with 6 panels, old pergola metal parts etc and shelving parts. Or that's the plan anyway. My son wants to put an actuator on it.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I just used the pre drilled holes in the panels and drilled my own matching holes in the angle iron. Then used bolts with locknuts and washers to mount them. I wish you the best with your project!

[@stargazersheilab4027]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 In all the time I had those panels, some longer, I've never seen those holes lol and went out to look...boy do those buggers get hot!!!

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Yes they certainly do! :)

[@elflordsjourneys]

Nice build Bruce.😀

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thanks ELJ 👍

[@neomatrix2722]

I love this and I'd like to borrow this idea however I have a question are you going to put your cables inside the tube so you can rotate it so your cables don't get bound up

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I wish you the best with your project! It's been a great set up for my solar panels. I just ran the cables down the outside of the vertical pipe. I only rotate the panels 90 degrees so binding hasn't been a problem.

[@enriquelaroche5370]

Instead of the Bar why not a turnbuckle? less holes and adjustable?

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

That’s a good idea!

[@Javaman92]

How is it performing for you? Has wind been a problem?

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

It has performed well. Haven’t had any issues due to wind.

[@junkvista61]

I wish I have skill and equipment to copy yours. I am envy.🙂

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[@SolarizeYourLife]

So how much concrete did you pour for the four panels seven feet in the air???

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

If I remember right I think I used 1-1/2 80lb bags of concrete.

[@Polecat54941]

Genius.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

That's a pretty generous comment but thank you. :)

[@Polecat54941]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 No not really :) I love things made out of other things and repurposed and this is excellent but not having gas pipelines and all access to welding do you think a large screen tv mount would work as an alternative? perhaps bolted through a large wooden post?

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

It sounds like it might work. The biggest issue IMO is wind and how it will hold up to the wind. Of course it all depends on the conditions where you intend to use the mount. I wish you the best with your project!

[@sklise1]

just curious, but why didn't you want to put on the roof of the shed? I'm doing something similar with my shed.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I decided to go with a pole mount instead of mounting the panels on the roof for several reasons. An adjustable mount will significantly increase the amount of power I can harvest in a given day. Fix mounted roof panels will only be optimal for a short period of time throughout the day. Future testing will show the difference between fixed panels vs adjustable panels. Basically this will equate to doing more with less IMO. The adjustable panels can be moved throughout the day. The draw back here is this has to be done manually on my DIY mount. The pole mount makes it easy to periodically clean the solar panels and remove snow in the winter. Both are significant advantages to increasing the solar intake year round. Lastly I believe that the best way to maintain a leak free roof is to NOT put holes in it. LOL I hope this helps you with your build and decision making for your project.

[@ExtraFungus]

I really think this kind of mount is the way to go, as low as you can get it without it being in the way or shaded. Lots of people don't realize panels need to be cleaned, if you have the space you really don't want to be cleaning panels on your roof. Not to degrade your fabrication skills but due to home owners, I wouldn't install any kind of stand or brackets without snow and wind ratings. Yours might be way overbuilt, but I don't want them getting hurled into my house, it worse my neighbors house and have the insurance company try to screw me. Now if I was rural and not worried about insurance. I'd not feel bad about building mounts from scratch like this.

[@michaelgoodliff]

Do you have any plans for this build? I’d like to build one like this.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

No plans I just designed it as I built it.

[@michaelgoodliff]

@@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10I’d be interested in the plans, if you ever decide to create them. I think it’s a real sturdy build and it’s just what I’m looking for. Well done, sir! 👍👍

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you I appreciate that!

[@zzubuzz]

That seems like the optimum design strategy, one large center pole that can swivel and has adjustable angles. I'd settle for that without any kind of mechanical tracking of the sun's path. No, it's not as ingenious as it having a tracking system to do that for you but it sure beats the hell out them pointed in one direction on a stationary base.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I agree, much more efficient than fixed panels.

[@tjmooney4181]

Thanks 👍

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by!

[@jeanclaudeisambart8720]

super merci pour se tuto

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@alpachino468]

Can this be made out of wood instead of metal?

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Sure

[@PjotrII]

I´m wondering how it takes wind?

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

It’s done well so far.

[@PjotrII]

@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10 Great! As the build is beautiful and great with flexibility of tilt, the only concerne I had was wind issues. Good luck and thanks for sharing.

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you :)

[@juliusparker3039]

What app for the angle of inclination

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Just using iPhone tools, no app

[@russellpsi]

Clever fabrication....especially the recycled bed frames

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Thank you Russell!

[@leobuildsit]

If your shed has a southern facing slope, why not moun panels on the roof of it ?

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

The solar panels are easier to clean and remove snow mounted on the pole rather on the roof. Also I'm not a fan of mounting solar on the roof because no matter how they are mounted you will eventually have leaks in the roof. This way no leaks in the roof and easy to replace the shed shingles when that day comes. Also mounted on the roof the panels can not be rotated to adjust to the sun they become fixed and this limits the power producing capabilities throughout the day.

[@kansasadventure1831]

I wanted to make mine like this, but using a limited quantity bed frame for a 22-foot by 7-foot array didn't seem reasonable

[@juliusparker3039]

What app are you using

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

Just using iPhone tools, no app

[@juliusparker3039]

Total size is 400w or more?

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

400w total

[@juliusparker3039]

Can I upgrade to upto 1200w

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

I don't know why not as long as the panels fit on the rack.

[@intech7863]

Can you tell me 100m pipe and thick 3mm an handle one big panel

[@utubeJHM]

👍🏻

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

👍

[@deinkochbuch]

👍👍👍👍👍 💯💯💯💯 💯

[@mikeazeka1753]

That will blow over and damage the panels in the first wind storm

[@DIYHomesteadProjectsDIYHP10]

It could but it's been two years now and it hasn't blown over yet.

[@wowyummyyy]

😻😻😻😻😻 👍👍👍👍👍 💞💞💞💞💞