Too many holes in solar panel frame?
My bad. Changed the design of PV mounts after had already drilled holes in the frame. So the panel is a lot lighter now, and plenty of ventilation :)... Big panel, 60x40", 40 lbs. I can see how it fle...
Forum Discussion
West - no, I didn't upgrade the bank. I bought 3*100 AH AGM 12V UPG batteries at the same time with 490W solar. UPG recommends keeping SOC no lower than 60%, or "irreversible loss of capacity may happen". Don't know how much truth is to this statement. If and when my overnight draw exceeds 30%=90 AH, I will upgrade to 400 AH bank after these 3*100 AH will have died. It is VERY difficult to draw over 50 AH overnight without powerful 120V devices.
Security reasons are valid, but my panels are 1) big and heavy 40 lbs, and 2) attached to the brackets with screws that require a well prepared thief as these screwdrivers are not available in a small Mexican town. There are no nuts - the screws are in nutserts riveted into the bracket. I am also considering replacing these low-security screws with better security screws that have a shape so weird that is impossible to describe, and their drivers are hard to find. Cutting four aluminum brackets 1/4" thickness is possible of course. With PV prices dropping, I hope it won't be worth their time and efforts.
Security reasons are valid, but my panels are 1) big and heavy 40 lbs, and 2) attached to the brackets with screws that require a well prepared thief as these screwdrivers are not available in a small Mexican town. There are no nuts - the screws are in nutserts riveted into the bracket. I am also considering replacing these low-security screws with better security screws that have a shape so weird that is impossible to describe, and their drivers are hard to find. Cutting four aluminum brackets 1/4" thickness is possible of course. With PV prices dropping, I hope it won't be worth their time and efforts.
