Skoolie Solar Rack Install - Simple Method!

[@EffieG-ez9tf]

Thanks for sharing the info on solar installation. When the time comes, you will be my go-to solar guy. Great job.

[@ChuckCassadyYT]

Hell yeah dude! People need to know this

[@EffieG-ez9tf]

Hi Jonathan, Your presentation was very forthright and easy to understand. The system seems like it is a good strong addition to the bus roof, and it’s reassuring to know that it will hold up in a brisk wind! Thanks so much for sharing your know-how. It means so much to a beginner like me and to others who will be tackling this project. Please keep your helpful videos coming. Best of luck.

[@AcrossTheBananaverse]

Could you touch more on the part where you’re holding up the aluminum rail against the side of the bus to get measurements and run into the issue of it only touching certain parts of the rub rails…. I’m confused by what you mean to “split the difference” in that instance? Im getting close to this stage of my build and your method looks like the simplest way to do this! I appreciate you sharing the knowledge!

[@danstempky]

This video was very helpful. Thank you for all of the in depth explanations! Also, I think you’re a great communicator.

[@sojournersway]

@@danstempky thanks so much!

[@KJ4RMZ]

Hey dude, nice chatting with you. I like what I saw and will be getting back to you.

[@tylergould6789]

Dude I bought my bud from Thomaston-Upson county school district as well, don’t ask how I spotted that! Marc was great, they filled the tank and replaced the batteries before I picked it up

[@sojournersway]

Unfortunately, I got mine from the company who got it from Them! My experience was not so great but it was a means to an end so it all works out.

[@williamwoolcock]

What about the flexible stick-on panels?

[@Priscilla_Skoolie]

This video is a valuable source of information thank you for making it.

[@brianstanley4963]

great video, do you have build list so I can research some local places to source the railing and fittings?

[@sojournersway]

I do consults and cover all of this and help clients avoid all the costly mistakes most make!

[@barbarawietecter7891]

Sig, how did you know how far apart to make the rails? Is that distance exactly the width of the solar panels? Or more narrow or wider? I'm planning on 3 solar panels, was going to do two side by side running length wise with the bus and then one sideways. Looks like if I want to use one set of rails, will have to do all of them the same. Guessing turned so they all run sideways.

[@cycleoflife7331]

I’m going to use the L brackets Iron ridge sells as they can support a deck using a stock aluminum piece to angle the bracket to 90 degrees. Thanks I found your vid very helpful

[@sojournersway]

I have had clients use this for a deck but I don’t know the limits and explain accordingly. It the future, I may offer some thicker brackets for exactly this!

[@parishskoolie]

Whoop Whoop! Great video, We've got over 3k miles so far with your proprietary bend with no worries;) We are missing our home seeing those moss covered oak trees:(

[@tomwalker3553]

Great problem solving.

[@mikesabian7085]

Great video buddy!!!👍🏻

[@9-5Adventures]

Why use self tapping screws? I feel like Riv nuts or just nuts and bolts would be stronger. Also have you had any issue with these ripping off? I don’t trust the self tapping screws very much.

[@sojournersway]

I don’t use self tapper for that reason. Rivnuts are cool and can be used. Bolting through is also an option. Neither get into the hat channel easily like this does. As I said in video, I’ve got 40-50 buses running this system with tens of thousands of miles over the past two years without any failures!

[@RoamingWildBC]

Always bolts, never like this.

[@thepfeiffer5106]

Clever and quick

[@mlviper30]

I like the solar mounting rails, I will have to check with my local dealers, I was going to go the unistrut route. Wouter d.b. is correct, stainless to aluminum is frowned upon without some kind of barrier, galvanic corrosion is an issue. All-n-all that's a slick setup, I will be using it for my 40ftr. Do you have a website for hardware???

[@sojournersway]

This is something I considered of course, but if you go look, this is exactly how it’s done ALL over in the solar industry, all approved by NEC.

[@CS-uc2oh]

@Sojourner’s Way you are not good at dealing with people. You thought it more important to justify why you're not concerned with GV than with answering their question about a website so they can buy from you. How foolish...

[@sojournersway]

@@CS-uc2oh That is one narrative I suppose. How about looking at it from the perspective that maybe I’m more passionate about helping others than simply making a buck? Ideally, I’m working towards doing both!

[@inhd]

@@sojournersway of course

[@EffieG-ez9tf]

@@CS-uc2oh No, YOU are no good at communication.

[@Fairyrarities]

Thank you so much! I'm researching installation methods for my solar system & hopefully a roof-deck; this was very informative! Do you have recommendations on brackets that would be optimal for both jobs? I was reading the comments a bit but would love to hear your perspective/experience more directly. Thank you in advance!

[@sojournersway]

I’ve had people use this for a deck but if you have a designated deck area, Skoolie . Com makes a great system.

[@michaellumpp4990]

Thanks for the vid. How much for 2 of the longer rails?

[@sojournersway]

The rails you’ll have to call around and find locally.

[@michaellumpp4990]

@@sojournersway where are you from

[@franklaufenberg2267]

Where do we buy the products you reference?! I'd like to purchase the things through you but only see your fb page/no shop.

[@sojournersway]

Send me a message on FB! No online shop yet: facebook.com/sojournerswayllc/

[@matthew1814]

do you install these for other skoolie owners?

[@sojournersway]

Reach out via FB and we can talk about installs!

[@steveg9691]

Great vid im almost at this stage of my build

[@harrystewart9674]

That was great ! Thanks so much

[@isiahsmith4646]

Would this still work with 6 larger panels that are 50 pounds each?

[@sojournersway]

Absolutely. Most of these panels are in the 55lb range.

[@isiahsmith4646]

@@sojournersway nice I think I’ll try this this. I have a buddy who said after 15k miles the screws were coming loose. Anyway in making sure this doesn’t happen?

[@isiahsmith4646]

@@sojournersway I was thinking about getting 3” roofing screws and going through the whole beam.

[@sojournersway]

@@isiahsmith4646 I wouldn’t. You’re going through a combined 1/8-1/4” with this method and I’ve never once had a leak or bracket failure.

[@sojournersway]

@@isiahsmith4646 He used my system and method and it came loose?

[@issaicdelsol4608]

Would love link for ur kits

[@sojournersway]

Reach out here: facebook.com/sojournerswayllc/

[@hotmessexpressbus]

Thanks for sharing this! Very informative!

[@mistermike247]

Where do I go to purchase the brackets?

[@sojournersway]

Find me on Facebook, I should have another batch made soon!

[@9-5Adventures]

Is the kit available yet?

[@valeriedenise3454]

I need some help, can we catch about bus solar? I need to get power running in my bus, I've been living in it for 8 months without power.

[@sojournersway]

Go check out my FB Business Page and message me there!

[@TheWanderingNichols]

This is so helpful! Thank you!

[@headcheck100]

Thank you so much!

[@gunarconklin4320]

How do I get the kit or brackets thanks

[@BinksTube_]

Well communicated! Good stuff!

[@dandotmp4]

Question about this system! Do you think the aluminum rails could also support a storage / roof deck? I'm interested in installing rails that would serve a dual purpose for both solar and storage deck needs (thus was thinking unistrut with similar L type brackets)

[@sojournersway]

For sure. It’s super structural once the panels are spanning the rails…but, for a deck, I’d feel better with some thicker brackets and bolting through. I’ll create a solution for this later!

[@dandotmp4]

@@sojournersway Thank you the the quick response! Also wondering what you think of this solution as slotted angle iron is easily available and can be bent to accommodate angle issues: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poKXepiYa9ChmJI

[@sojournersway]

@@dandotmp4 the reason this video and mounting solution exists is to help people not make mistakes like that video!

[@dandotmp4]

@@sojournersway Thanks! Curious what mistakes were made there as it seems like it’s been satisfactory for this person. No disrespect meant, just trying to learn!

[@sojournersway]

@@dandotmp4 Sure, it’s just simpler to use parts made for solar that allow for infinite modularity, minimal dissimilar metal contact, and no drilling into panels!

[@cherylbrown7622]

where are you located

[@sojournersway]

I’m in East TN, shoot me message on FB and I can help!

[@Wayoutthere]

A few notes. Using stainless steel on Aluminium without nylon washers will cause dissimilar metal corrosion. Also, the L-brackets seem somewhat small-ish (could be worse, and I've seen it), I'd use double sized ones, also thicker ones. Nice and clean system though, Unistrut sucks and ppl should stop using it. Especially for watertank mountings that make me fear for anyone driving behind you.

[@sojournersway]

How many buses have you installed solar onto? All of these parts are used in this fashion for the solar world per NEC just like this.

[@mlviper30]

@@sojournersway You may want to check the NEC code again concerning galvanic corrosion I think 2017 358.14 & 2020 344.14 Maybe others) code is very clear on the subject the galvanic action.(I am not an electrician so codes are vague to me) They do recognize it as and issue. Will it effect the frame, worst thing that would happens bolts loosening over time because corrosion under the head and nut. I have 30+ years as a journeyman tool & die maker and in the Mechanical Engineering field, there are some practices that we shy from. Stainless and aluminum is one of them unless GC is addressed. So I still agree with Wouter d.b. because it is a know issue, and regulatory standards recognize it. If an industry does or does not heed cautionary practices that's fine. They have liability insurance. Like you do, as a certified electrician and contractor working on your clients Skoolies. I really enjoy your videos, maybe be less abrasive with people when they comment on an item. Mr. Wouter d.b. does not need to building one skoolie to understand science. I have researched multiple of these rails, the stainless fasteners are used on anodized rails(Iron Ridge,etc..), the none anodized are using galvanized fasteners. Here nor there, no harm no foul, you are making great videos so far, I like your other video helping repair the work of the other contractors. And I do really like the way you mount the solar panels, I will be using it for my 40ft rig, with 8qty 40x80 455w panels. I appreciate your effort to bring to light less favorable methods and provide and superior method in its place. And yes do not try to make the sealant look good, you just make a mess. Regards, Matt

[@sojournersway]

If you use Nylon washers, you still have the head of the bolt with teeth digging into the rail. By design, the serrated flange but also digs into the mounting bracket. The solar brackets have teeth that dig into the aluminum frame. Unirac stats that natural aluminum corrosion which is essentially natural oxidation that offers some protection. If you can show me a system out there that bypasses this is solar rails and how they attacks to metal roofs with aluminum stand-offs, galvanized lag bolts, then aluminum brackets, rails, all secured together with stainless hardware. I did not intend to come across so abrasively. It’s very common for people to criticize a system without experience, having never succeeded or failed at what they recommend. This system was not just slapped together on the fly and sold. As I said in video, it’s been 100% so far with dozens of buses traveling all over the country.

[@mlviper30]

@@sojournersway Got it👍your the expert, you have made that clear. Have a good evening.

[@sojournersway]

@@mlviper30 That is not at all what I’m saying. The adhesive caulking is sufficient to break then issues between aluminum brackets and steel roof. Also notice that the steel screws mounting to bus are isolated from the aluminum bracket. This means that the only dissimilar metal contact is the stainless hardware and the brackets, which are installed per manufacturer, Unirac. I looked over all of their manuals and material! If you find a solution adopted in the Solar industry, let me know. This is how it’s done ALL over…and all these systems get approved per drawings and NEC…why it’s “okay”, I couldn’t tell you!

[@goonztv5746]

I don't understand why you say you sell the appropriate brackets but then have to heavily modify them to fit your own method.

[@sojournersway]

Because rivets are not the same across all the buses in size, dimension, spread, etc. The only way to do brackets universally is to avoid the rivets, which can be done with the brackets. That method doesn’t get you secured to the strongest part of the bus!

[@OpenCarryUSMC]

Self tapping screws but you don’t like self tappers so you pre drill. Those screws are structurally insufficient for a safe install in this use. Add in the THREE dissimilar metals (bracket material, screw material, and zinc on the roof sheeting) and corrosion will destroy structural integrity at some point. Is that point beyond the life of the rig? Probably not. “Proprietary bend” I think that was a joke. Right? Mine will be mounted with steel angle & square tube, grade 5 bolts though hat channels, and provide access for washing and cleaning panels without climbing up and down a ladder numerous times.

[@sojournersway]

You seem unfamiliar with how solar is installed onto homes. They are installed with aluminum rails, aluminum brackets, and stainless hardware. All of them. Your method will have more surface area for galvanic corrosion since the panel frames are aluminum. As it turns out, the method I’ve used isolated dissimilar metal as much as possible (apart from using aluminum bolts). As I said, the entire solar industry uses exactly this method, except with different L Brackets which are made out of aluminum as well. Sounds like you’ve got a perfect plan for your bus and I suggest you avoid my method altogether since it doesn’t suit you.

[@CS-uc2oh]

No website, no links to anything, childish responses to comments... are you in business or not?

[@sojournersway]

I’ve been doing consults for over a year now and installs for almost two. Things go slower than we would like. This video isn’t a money grab for me but and investment into the community. I will be shipping kits soon for this! Best way to reach out is at my FB Page: facebook.com/sojournerswayllc/

[@RontheHurler]

@@sojournersway There are an awful lot of us out here who DO NOT use facebook. Without a FB account, we can't get to your stuff. I'm not gonna get a FB account either. How about a simple web page. They're trivial to set-up these days.

[@sojournersway]

@@RontheHurler I do understand this! I’m trying to get one up shortly.

[@RontheHurler]

@T Scott Found the facebook shill.

[@Sasquatters]

That’s how this guy does business. He’s triggered by anyone that doesn’t agree with him. He’s been banned from multiple skoolie groups for his condescending replies to others.