latest V4.0 array design

MichaelK

I finally got my latest array design finished, painted, and installed, with all this happening this last weekend.  As I may have mentioned before, this V4 design is the culmination of all the mistakes I made constructing my V1 through V3 frames, which I shown pictures of before.  The major attribute changes for this version is that is modular, meaning the major sub-assemblies are bolted together, which means only 1-2 people are needed to set it up, rather than 3 for the V1 design.In this first pic you can see both the subassemblies bolted together.  The vertical schedule 40 steel pipe, with the double unistrut "T" at the top make the lower sub-assembly. It is re-enforced by the diagonal half-size unistruts that are welded at the base of the schedule 40 pipe, and the tips of the unistrut "T".  The schedule 40 pipe also has little threaded T-handles about half way up, which can be screwed in to lock the array in a certain position.

The vertical struts are the panel bearing members, also made from 1-5/8" unistruts organized in a double "H" configuration.  The central horizontal bar of the "H" has four steel hinges bolted/welded to it, to allow connecting to the lower subassembly.  All member to member joints are reinforced with either a 1/8" steel pad about 2" square, or a steel earthquake/hurricane rafter anchor.  The H frame also has diagonal support members to keep the frame rigid.

In terms of keeping the Z axis of the frame rigid, I added trusses on the back side.  As you can see in pic2, the two outer trusses are welded to the H-frame, but my latest modification are the cantilevered trusses you can see in pic 2.  The cantilevered trusses pass over the hinge joint, so the frame can rock back and forth on it's hinges without impediment.

Finally, what you see here is the completed unit with the panels mounted and making power.  You'll notice the gap between the panels.  I designed this frame so either 4 panels could be added in a vertical orientation, or 6 panels in a horizontal one.  Since my standard voltage of all my other arrays is 120VDC, I implemented the 4 panel array.