Need plan for DIY pole mount system

System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in General Solar Power Topics #1
I'm looking for a plan for a DIY pole mount system with seasonal adjustment. Any one built their own? The ready made mounting systems seem to be very expensive for what you get.

Thanks,
Wayne
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  • rplarry
    rplarry Solar Expert Posts: 203 ✭✭
    #2
    Re: Need plan for DIY pole mount system

    I have built a few, I don't have any plans per se, but it is pretty simple. I used a 10' long 3.5" pipe and put it 3.5' into the ground with cement. then I used some 4" pipe, about 2' of it over the top of that and then welded my mounting hardware to the 4" pipe and welded some pinch bolts to the 4" pipe to keep it from rotating freely on the main pole. Once it is complete you can orient it to the east in the mornings, south mid day, and west in the afternoon. I have about 100 sq ft of solar panels on it. If you have more than that then you might consider useing larger pipe.
    HTH
    Larry
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  • Peter_V
    Peter_V Solar Expert Posts: 226 ✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: Need plan for DIY pole mount system
    Farmerboy wrote: »
    I'm looking for a plan for a DIY pole mount system with seasonal adjustment. Any one built their own? The ready made mounting systems seem to be very expensive for what you get.

    Thanks,
    Wayne

    I built a Pole mounted passive tracker with seasonal adjustment. I'm working on a set of plans, but you can see what I have up so far at: DIY Tracker
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Need plan for DIY pole mount system

    You will need to have it engineered to manage the wind loads, if you stick more than a few panels on it. A tall pole, with a large sail on it, needs a good anchor system too.

    Just the head for my pole mount weighs about 80#, and the rest of the rack system bolts onto it. Then again 15, 200w panels is quite a load.

    21955_1232245685059_1196643274_30571496_4180248_n.jpg
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30571496&l=8ba27f58e1&id=1196643274

    27066_1247848595122_1196643274_30605016_6045984_n.jpg
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,891 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: Need plan for DIY pole mount system

    Not expensive when you consider that it has to last over time. My only hint is to use 6 inch pipe or larger. You will want more solar!
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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