Pony Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 Hi Guys. Do you also not enjoy solar panel mid clamps? They hard to tighten when you need to put the second panel in. We tempted to use end clamps, but this leaves a little space between the panels and suppose looks un neat. What you guys feel? P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I don't mind the mid-clamps, but to get the ball into the allen-cap - that was more of a struggle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverNodashi Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 I don't mind the mid-clamps, but to get the ball into the allen-cap - that was more of a struggle. What ball, into what allen-cap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 What ball, into what allen-cap? Look at my pictures in the gallery. I put a ball-bearing into the head of each cap screw - that prevents somebody from loosening the cap screws with an allen key or screwdriver etc. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaves Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Wow nice. Loctite? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Wow nice. Loctite? Loctite not needed - I've added a little bit of grease to each one and you really have to spend some time to get the balls out of the holes, not even a needle or a pin gets the ball out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hobson Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Do not phone us when you need to move the panels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Do not phone us when you need to move the panels Don't even mention that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverNodashi Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Look at my pictures in the gallery. I put a ball-bearing into the head of each cap screw - that prevents somebody from loosening the cap screws with an allen key or screwdriver etc. etc. Aah, ok. Makes good sense. But, I guess, if they really really want to steal the panels, other (power) tools could be used to remove said mid clamps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Aah, ok. Makes good sense. But, I guess, if they really really want to steal the panels, other (power) tools could be used to remove said mid clamps? They can steal anything - any anti-theft device is simply put in place to retard the process or to deter the thief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverNodashi Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 They can steal anything - any anti-theft device is simply put in place to retard the process or to deter the thief. I have actually considered building an alarm of sorts, which will scream when the panels disconnect from the frame. The problem is, everything is open accessible so it can be disabled quite easily. Will give it some thought again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I have actually considered building an alarm of sorts, which will scream when the panels disconnect from the frame. The problem is, everything is open accessible so it can be disabled quite easily. Will give it some thought again. I also though of doing something like that, but then decided against it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverNodashi Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Loctite not needed - I've added a little bit of grease to each one and you really have to spend some time to get the balls out of the holes, not even a needle or a pin gets the ball out. Quick question: where did you get the ball bearings, apart from breaking open some wheel bearings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Quick question: where did you get the ball bearings, apart from breaking open some wheel bearings? Local ball bearing supplier. They sell the loose balls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverNodashi Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Local ball bearing supplier. They sell the loose balls. Wow, I didn't know that. Will pop by Bearingman sometime... What size balls did you get? And what size is the allan-cap? (My installation is a bit far just to go check quickly) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Wow, I didn't know that. Will pop by Bearingman sometime... What size balls did you get? And what size is the allan-cap? (My installation is a bit far just to go check quickly) I'm not sure what the size of the balls are, but the cap screws are M8. I think the balls are 6mm diameter. I just took a cap screw with and asked for balls to fit inside the "hole". Needless to say I was frowned upon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HyperCut Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Strong magnet and a cordless drill will do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Strong magnet and a cordless drill will do the trick. There will be a way, it is just a bit more effort than to simply use an allen key. I've tried a magnet though, initially, before the grease was added, it worked, but after the grease was added in and around the ball, the magnet on its own failed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HyperCut Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Cool,you have to think like a thief when designing these things. Hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Cool,you have to think like a thief when designing these things. Hehe I try to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverNodashi Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 So how do you remove them if you have to? I thought a bit of grease on the ball, which can stick to a screwdriver or something would easily remove them when needed? What about plastic / ceramic balls? They're not magnetic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 So how do you remove them if you have to? Hopefully that is the next owner's problem in 20 years' time. There will be other ways of getting them out, but as I've said, the idea is only to retard the theft process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverNodashi Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Hopefully that is the next owner's problem in 20 years' time. There will be other ways of getting them out, but as I've said, the idea is only to retard the theft process. I'm not referring to theft. But, what if you want to upgrade, or replace a broken panel in the future? I am planning on using my setup for more than 20 years and need to plan ahead, with the least amount of damage. P.S. You can PM me your methods if you want to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I'm not referring to theft. But, what if you want to upgrade, or replace a broken panel in the future? I am planning on using my setup for more than 20 years and need to plan ahead, with the least amount of damage. P.S. You can PM me your methods if you want to PM'd you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Anyone use unistrut and springnuts ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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