Ground Mount Solar Rack No Dig and Adjustable

[@michaeldamianbell1980]

My favorite part was the dancing at the end!!

[@lordsofpondland]

Its my favorite part too, lol. We both love dancing and being goofy.

[@randybobandy9828]

Love the very simple and inexpensive design. I'm in search of low cost mounting options and kits or metal framed ground mounts are just too expensive right now with the high price of steel. I'm getting these panels for less than $0.30 per watt and I'm not trying to double the cost just to mount them! Nice job!

[@lordsofpondland]

Hey, so glad it is helpful for you. Honestly if you have a bit of carpentry skills and some time then you can build something for WAY cheaper. Good luck to you. Scan FB marketplace for free wood. My rack cost me only for the screws and thats it! Been running for 3 years happily.

[@zaidmartinez2334]

That’s amazing! I need to check it out sometime soon!

[@conservativejones3537]

Great job guys. Great idea on the locking methods for the bracing.

[@lordsofpondland]

Thanks a bunch!

[@WiegelsNest]

Love this idea! Looking to start on our solar rack this week. I see the gate hinges at the bottom of the panels for the pivot point, so I am wondering if you also used gate hinges to attach your laminated braces to the back of the solar panel rack area?

[@lordsofpondland]

Yes. I used a bunch of gate hinges for pretty much all of it. It's what I had. It has held up well so far. We are about 5 years in.

[@cowboymcq6711]

Love the solar rack 👍🏼

[@lordsofpondland]

Thanks a bunch.

[@carriefisch1654]

You guys are the coolest!

[@Steve-wz5pz]

Those sandbags are a start. I'd be inclined to add some sort of physical attachment to earth. Of course, given the hinging system, the whole thing will probably flop over anyway. Maybe that's the plan.

[@lordsofpondland]

It's been through dozens of storms and has been in fully functional use for almost three years. Its super sturdy. It has huge half inch bolts holding it together with laminated and screwed timbers at the back and 6 steel hinges. Its not going anywhere. It's supposed to be able to move to catch more sun in winter, summer, and the shoulder seasons.

[@Youtuberkt]

Nice! Can you show the wiring and other details here?

[@lordsofpondland]

I can definitely make a video on the whole solar setup if that would be helpful.

[@jacobguth5600]

ya'll are hilarious! great build!

[@lordsofpondland]

Glad you enjoyed it. More to come!

[@easyoutgrid]

Hey brother what type of solar system is that 12 volt 24 or 48 volts?

[@lordsofpondland]

Hey there, it is a 24 volts system. 280 ah battery bank.

[@boruchdm1]

Great Video. How heavy is it to lift when adjusting the tilt? I'm thinking of making a similar one, but with twice as many panels, and therefore twice the weight. Do you think mine would be too heavy to lift when adjusting?

[@lordsofpondland]

Hey there. Thanks for the comment. It’s decently heavy to lift. I’m a decently strong guy and it is a bit of work to left myself. Double the panels would be too heavy for me I think. These panels are 7 ft tall and so they are heavy. You could install a boat winch to be able to lift it. I bet something like that would work out well

[@cline7472]

Nice job, thanks for sharing! Are you in a cold climate? If so, how has the mount held up for you through snow/ice, seasonal ground movement, heavy winds, etc?

[@lordsofpondland]

We aren't in a super cold climate. It is zone 6 USDA. It has held up great in our weather for the last couple years. No problems so far.

[@karenburns1771]

Shou sugi ban is the wood treatment so why did do another?

[@lordsofpondland]

Not sure I understand what you mean? The yaki sugi treatment or burning of the wood is the preliminary treatment and then you coat it with a resistive oil and it will give it even more protection.

[@karenburns1771]

@@lordsofpondland the burning with crystalize the sap causing a seal. But you done an extra step for preserving. Let's just say you have the premium Coating. I just love the look of it!

[@lordsofpondland]

@@karenburns1771 Some believe that it isn't an extra step. The charcoal on the outside of burning is actually porous in nature so the sealant then goes into those pores and provides an extra layer of protection. We have found this double treatment method to be very effective so far! Thanks and I love the look as well!

[@karenburns1771]

Correction ...carbonized. found a Japanese company showing a video of the oil treatment as a follow up maintenance after they scrubbed it down. Got it! Thanks for the clarification because several videos never even mentioned this.😁

[@lordsofpondland]

@@karenburns1771 What video was it? Can you link it? Absolutely. We are all learning here so I am always looking for ways to improve. Glad I could help.

[@kellynwilliams3954]

Love this. I can’t wait for more videos!!!!!

[@andrewfong4216]

I do like your design very much! However, we don't get to see what hinge mechanism you have near the back of the panels.

[@lordsofpondland]

It's just a few big gate hinges that are attached to both parts of the frame. You're right I should have shown that. Thanks for the feedback!

[@lujitsu1251]

Nice dance

[@lordsofpondland]

Thanks :)

[@robertd6925]

Have you had any issues with the wood warping?

[@lordsofpondland]

So far I have had no issues. It has worked great. As far as things I would change, I would probably not use a bolt through the wood to secure it as wood does shrink and expand so the bolts can get a bit gummed up but other than that it has been great.

[@ginnyberg9271]

If I can ask without being creepy where do you guys live because some areas here do not allow off grid

[@user713Blvd]

Nice design. Would you please show where and jow to get True south on your phone? Thanks.

[@lordsofpondland]

Hey there. You can download a compass application on your phone and then that will show you were south is. Alternatively you could get an actual compass and use that. Thanks for the comment and appreciate the feedback!

[@Punisher26SK8]

Oats oats oats!

[@lordsofpondland]

You slay me. Miss you dude. Hope Costa Rica is treating you well.

[@davejones4269]

Lol😊

[@ginnyberg9271]

And please do a bathroom video