JiminDenver wrote:
First, Toms set up gets my vote for the niftiest set up.
The OP could always add to the HF unit to make it handle the extra size. It's a simple design that he could just pick up the scraps, cut them and bolt his own together, for short term wood would be fine.
Since everyone is throwing pictures around hehehe
The reason I like the slats and clamps besides that it is cheap and easy is speed. When I saw the HF stand my first thought was that I'd have to remove and put back 4 bolt/ nut sets just to adjust it. When I need to adjust for tilt, I tilt the panel forward a bit. push or pull the slats to where I need them and set the panel back down to its new position. It can go from near vertical (early morning) to near flat ( noon) in seconds. When the winds hit, I can tilt the top, kick the slats flush with the frame and lay it flat in seconds.
I could clean it up with metal legs and quick tightening bolts/ knobs like used on a folding lawn mower handles. A little nicer looking with the same results.
And in a pinch, you have emergency kindling for getting your campfire going. Just cut two new wood slats when you get back home to replace the ones you started the fire with. This has to be the simplest way to do it.
Ed
First, Toms set up gets my vote for the niftiest set up.
The OP could always add to the HF unit to make it handle the extra size. It's a simple design that he could just pick up the scraps, cut them and bolt his own together, for short term wood would be fine.
Since everyone is throwing pictures around hehehe
The reason I like the slats and clamps besides that it is cheap and easy is speed. When I saw the HF stand my first thought was that I'd have to remove and put back 4 bolt/ nut sets just to adjust it. When I need to adjust for tilt, I tilt the panel forward a bit. push or pull the slats to where I need them and set the panel back down to its new position. It can go from near vertical (early morning) to near flat ( noon) in seconds. When the winds hit, I can tilt the top, kick the slats flush with the frame and lay it flat in seconds.
I could clean it up with metal legs and quick tightening bolts/ knobs like used on a folding lawn mower handles. A little nicer looking with the same results.
The OP could always add to the HF unit to make it handle the extra size. It's a simple design that he could just pick up the scraps, cut them and bolt his own together, for short term wood would be fine.
Since everyone is throwing pictures around hehehe
The reason I like the slats and clamps besides that it is cheap and easy is speed. When I saw the HF stand my first thought was that I'd have to remove and put back 4 bolt/ nut sets just to adjust it. When I need to adjust for tilt, I tilt the panel forward a bit. push or pull the slats to where I need them and set the panel back down to its new position. It can go from near vertical (early morning) to near flat ( noon) in seconds. When the winds hit, I can tilt the top, kick the slats flush with the frame and lay it flat in seconds.
I could clean it up with metal legs and quick tightening bolts/ knobs like used on a folding lawn mower handles. A little nicer looking with the same results.
I opted for a semi-portable setup. I mounted my panels on the side of my coach. They can be tilted while still mounted or removed and set out in the sun and connect them using an extension cable. I just set them on the ground and prop them up with a small rod. I have been doing this for over three years and have had no problems.
JiminDenver wrote:Yeah, Jim, the longest leg length is 20 1/2" and, I dunno' if that would allow enough length to support the module without a tip-over hazard. For a portable tilt mechanism, the design is OK.
You may have to add to that HF holder, it is intended for a 15w panel.
If the OP was thinking of using a module as portable and, later, installing it, it may be better to just a build a good one out of aluminum, initially. I think many of the big box stores sell enough different aluminum profiles to get the job done. I buy most metal at Discount Steel, they have a yard close to me. I buy some aluminum by the pound from their fabrication shop, off-cuts from building their customer projects.
Here's my four-way tilter for project ideas:
You need a polar mount from a C-Band satellite dish to track the sun's arc.
I built my own, starting w/ an old swivel caster wheel, adapted it to a liteweight angle iron frame that holds 2 100 watt panels. The base is mounted on my trailer hitch receiver. If I wanted a ground base, I'd bolt it to a 4ft pc of 2 x 12, and drive up on top of it
I built my own, starting w/ an old swivel caster wheel, adapted it to a liteweight angle iron frame that holds 2 100 watt panels. The base is mounted on my trailer hitch receiver. If I wanted a ground base, I'd bolt it to a 4ft pc of 2 x 12, and drive up on top of it
