New Solar Power Panel Mount for the Off Grid Workshop

[@sam-and-angela]

Tons better than where they started! :) I like the simple design.

[@LandtoHouse]

So much better. And high enough that the grass won't bother them.

[@jllaine]

Nice build, thanks for sharing. You could add 2 more unistruts under the panels and that would share the load better for less sagging, better wind resistance, and it would be quick and easy.

[@LandtoHouse]

That is a good idea. those cost around $20 so not too bad. I think even 1 more would be enough to keep things from sagging.

[@mmarte1622]

Great video Seth. Kids are getting big!! Blessings

[@JoeMalovich]

A diagonal from the center down to each leg would add support and stiffness. Triangles are your friend.

[@LandtoHouse]

I need to add a couple braces. Triangles our friends... That is contrary to the song by They Might Be Giants: "Triangle man, triangle man Triangle man hates person man They have a fight, triangle wins Triangle man"

[@loucinci3922]

Nice upgrade. For sure add a center post. Still looked shaded. Thanks for sharing.

[@CraniumSlows]

Good luck man! I'm excited to see the evolution of the shed.

[@LandtoHouse]

This shed has worked out so nicely. And the off grid power has had no issues.

[@careyjohnson1784]

Great job i like

[@LandtoHouse]

Thank you. Its nice to have them up off the ground.

[@DaveWillGo]

If the vertical support beams were closer to the center of the panels there wouldn't be as much flex in the middle. Should work out fine as is. Just a thought.

[@hayderalsalman7984]

Great job

[@LandtoHouse]

Thank you. This new mount is doing a lot better.

[@mightystreaming933]

ssr on wood great way to start a fire. mount on a heat sink.

[@jimginnyohio]

I went with the heavier struts since the lighter ones seemed to flex too much. Yours may be fine since you’re only mounting the two panels. Nice to get them off the ground, huh? Looks good!

[@LandtoHouse]

That is a good idea. The larger ones are a little more costly but should be there for many years. This mount is a lot better for sure.

[@patrickhoffmann8893]

Oh, you are using the RØDE Wireless GO microphone since some videos. I think, the audio gets better with it. Especially, if you are turning your head away from the camera. Did you made a review or a how-to-use video?

[@LandtoHouse]

Yes the Rode is new and awesome! It will pick up for over 150 feet. (tested that) My Tools Tech and Gear youtube channel got that review. I need to make an up date video showing how to get ride of the feedback loop.

[@willnelson1931]

I read somewhere that there is an optimum angle to set up solar based on your longitude, Is it worth the trouble or do you just wing it? edit: I meant latitude.

[@LandtoHouse]

It is for sure worth doing if the solar is going to be used a lot. In this tiny off grid shed 500w is far more than I need. I am out there somewhere around 6 to 8 hours a week. But if the solar is going to a house for main power you want to make sure the angle is right. On my main panels for the house I used an app to find solar noon.

[@defjamsgreen]

Awesome move to get them off the ground .Are you planning to build more future mounts for more PV modules ? That will be great for the homestead . May the solar be with you .

[@LandtoHouse]

Thank you. I do have plans to make another 2 mounts. One for the tiny house I started building years ago and another for a power station (If that product comes in)

[@diydarkmatter]

so for the money you have into this shed how many years will it take to pay its self off ? from what i understand the going rate of pay off is like ten years .

[@LandtoHouse]

The solar aspect of the shed? This one is not connected to the grid so it does not really pay itself off that way. I could have run a wire from the house for far less money. But the youtube videos pay for the system rather quickly. The panels are a total of $130, the midnight classic was from my hydro series and was the wrong size but it was $700. I would use a $100 mppt if I did not have this one. The other battery and the inverter are from sponsorships. So $730 cost and the videos in 6 months have made $245. But if you consider that its off grid it is worth peace of mind that it works all the time. If the house power were off for some reason I could still charge things out there as a completely separate system. Without youtube and using budget components .... It would take at least 5 years to make back the power savings with as little as I am out there.

[@campermatt2652]

Nice stand! Have you noticed an increase in power being produced with the new stand?

[@LandtoHouse]

I have seen an increase. I think today it was pulling 250w in the clouds after I was in the shop for a while.

[@hing983]

Hi how do u wire replay for under voltage shut off

[@LandtoHouse]

Do you mean when the sun goes down what happens? The charge controller goes into rest mode.

[@ChrisWright7701]

If the panels are connected in series the the voltage will be higher. But the power will be the same. 250watts

[@johnnodge4327]

The power will double, as the voltage has doubled. Current will stay the same however. ;)

[@LandtoHouse]

An additional adapter is needed to connect in parallel. I figure its easier to just go series.

[@jasonbroom7147]

While the panels and unistrut do not weigh much, the choice to just screw the 2x4 pieces into the side of 4x4 posts creates very little in the way of sheer strength. Heavy winds pushing up and down on the panels will stress those connections, as well as the screws securing the unistrut to the 2x4's. Lag bolts, area washers and nuts would allow you to secure those much more effectively. A third piece of unistrut, under the middle of the panels, definitely seems to be in order.

[@LandtoHouse]

I am interested in seeing how well the torx screws hold up. Its a fast and easy solution but might not last. The Mount holding my main solar panels uses all thread rods with aluminum bar as a U shaped bracket around the 2x4's. It has worked very well. Those just take a lot of time to cut and install.

[@LibertyDIY]

Nails for sheer strength plus screws for clamping strength

[@jasonbroom7147]

@@LibertyDIY - That's not the proper way to build any kind of load-bearing structure.

[@ajithkannan4818]

How much energy will be able to use with this solar panel? Are you using for that workshop How it will be helpful for generating electricity?

[@LandtoHouse]

This set of panels is just for charging a single battery used in my tools shed. It is enough for lights and a few receptacles. Nothing with heavy power draw.

[@patrickhoffmann8893]

@@LandtoHouse Are you also going to use it for trickle-charging the batteries of the Four-Wheeler and the lawn mower to get them safely through the winter?

[@LandtoHouse]

@@patrickhoffmann8893 I am actually considering a small dedicated solar panel for that. just a very easy Anderson plugged disconnect from a small charge controller.

[@amathonn]

You get much wind in your area?

[@LandtoHouse]

Very little. The mountain blocks most of it.

[@antoninoarato]

What solar panels are you using?

[@LandtoHouse]

These are 250 W panels, a few years used from Langstons alternative power. I was able to purchase these at 26 cents per W.