Maggie Rack popularity

Carb Cleaner wrote:
Sorry for the hi-jack, but would you explain your method for securing the Unistrut to the rails? Did you bolt it directly to the rail, or did you use a bracket of some sort.

Hi Carb Cleaner!

Yeah, it might be better in starting a new thread, in your Solar Instalation. It would probably help a lot of people looking for winter project.

Actually, I answered your question (see below), in my first post and you provided a picture (see below). If you use the Ctrl key, depress it and hit the + key on this post, and by looking at my photo of my solar panels, you will see the bracket I attached the Unistrut to the Rack, by using the sliding spring loaded channel nuts, from Home Depot, you pictured in your first post.

I made my own 90* bracket and drilled a hole to match the bolt I needed with the matching threads of the sliding nut, that fit into the Maggie Rack. It took a couple of tries to ensure I had the proper length bolt. I also used an aircraft bolt and lock washer to insure strength.

To ensure I had the right thread and size, I just took one of the attaching bolts out of my Maggie Rack to the Hardware Store, with me.

I drilled a larger hole in the top leg of the 90* bracket. What was important to me, was that the Unistrut actually rested on the Maggie Rack, not supported by the 90* Bracket. I didn't want the stress of the weight on the bracket, but to just use to hold it in place. It took a little bit of work, with using a larger hole and locking washer.

Hope this helps.

I love my solar.

b

bka0721 wrote:
I like having mine, on the top of my TC. My rack is used for 3 of my 100w Solar panels. I have two Unistruts attached to the two rails, by the sliding nuts, that Carb Cleaner (posted above) shows. That way these panels are are protected by the edge of the Unistruts, thus reducing even more the height above these rails. Not sure why someone would want to use those Mounting Feet (Yakima/Thule?) and skinny crossbars, since they are so many $$$$$$$ and does not supply the support a Unistrut does. Plus you are putting any item that much farther up in the air, to reduce MPG and create turbulence and stress on the connectors. <<<>>

Yes, the Racks serve me well. (Why are they called Maggie Racks?)
b

Carb Cleaner wrote: