Truss or rafter scanners and Sensors.

mtautoken
mtautoken Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭
in PV Installers Forum - NEC, Wiring, Installation #1
Has anyone used some of the higher end stud finders, scanners, sensors for locating trusses or rafters through a comp roof and OSB? As most of you know a tool that actually works would save an install crews a lot of time. But I don't want to spend a bunch of money to find out there are as useless as the basic stud finder.
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  • icarus
    icarus Solar Expert Posts: 5,436 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Truss or rafter scanners and Sensors.

    Not to be snippy, but how about a tape measure?

    Find one rafter/truss, and if the building was properly framed you will find them all. 16" or 24" O.C.

    Also look for a frost line on the roof?

    Tony
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  • dwh
    dwh Solar Expert Posts: 1,341 ✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: Truss or rafter scanners and Sensors.
    icarus wrote: »
    Not to be snippy, but how about a tape measure?

    Find one rafter/truss, and if the building was properly framed you will find them all. 16" or 24" O.C.

    That works in theory, not so great in practice.

    There is variation - even in a properly framed building, the wood is rarely perfectly straight. Being 1/4" or 1/2' off the center of the rafter is no big deal for the nails holding down the sheathing, but it can be a big deal with lag bolts which can split the wood and/or end up running down the side of the rafter.

    It would be nice to have a finder that actually worked. Maybe steal an ob/gyn's ultrasound machine.
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Truss or rafter scanners and Sensors.

    I agree with dwh; never had much luck with stud finders of any kind, even on plaster. On wood sheathing they are useless. And no, studs rarely run where they're supposed to.

    Best is to be able to get a look at the underside of the roof. Then you can tell if the structure is adequate, how far apart it is, how it's sheathed, et cetera. Otherwise you're working blind. Sometime a little extra two-by running between the rafters is a darn good idea to get a solid base for securing to.
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  • mtautoken
    mtautoken Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭
    #5
    Re: Truss or rafter scanners and Sensors.

    I have been there done that with measureing and tapping with a hammer and have missed the center of the truss too many times to count.

    Has anyone seen the more expensive stud sensors?

    One this site there is about four units. One of the Bosch units sells for $1350.00:confused:

    http://www.cleanenergybrands.com/shoppingcart/categories/-%252d-Truss-%26-Rafter-Detectors/-%252d-Scanner-Detection/

    I would like to hear from someone that has had at least moderate success with one of these before I lay out that type of cash.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: Truss or rafter scanners and Sensors.
    mtautoken wrote: »
    I have been there done that with measureing and tapping with a hammer and have missed the center of the truss too many times to count.

    Has anyone seen the more expensive stud sensors?

    One this site there is about four units. One of the Bosch units sells for $1350.00:confused:

    http://www.cleanenergybrands.com/shoppingcart/categories/-%252d-Truss-%26-Rafter-Detectors/-%252d-Scanner-Detection/

    I would like to hear from someone that has had at least moderate success with one of these before I lay out that type of cash.

    See if AMAZON has any reviews about stuff. That's what pulls me to their site, I'm beginning to trust their reviews.
    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 ||
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  • dwh
    dwh Solar Expert Posts: 1,341 ✭✭✭
    #7
    Re: Truss or rafter scanners and Sensors.

    Yea. Maybe some real world usage vids on YouTube as well.
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  • raydias
    raydias Solar Expert Posts: 68 ✭✭✭✭
    #8
    Re: Truss or rafter scanners and Sensors.

    If you have the attic space you might consider this technique

    http://forum.solar-electric.com/showpost.php?p=65515&postcount=27

    from this thread

    http://forum.solar-electric.com/showthread.php?t=9090
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