Fitting rigid panels to solar arch

[RJJ]

Hi

Looking to fit new rigid panels to 25mm stainless struts. I was thinking a saddle clamp would be good, something like this:


But I can only find them in either 304, galvanised, or PVC.



What thoughts? PVC will (obviously) be always shaded from UV damage; but probably not that strong to begin with. I'm inclined to go with galvanised steel - any reason why not?

Many thanks

 

[Scillypete]

I used plastic initially but the outside end ones keep splitting so now use the stainless ones. Seem to work alright

 

[Rappey]

Whats wrong with 304? Its not like its going to be submerged ? 304 is what a lot of stainless exhaust systems are built from..

 

[Roberto]

Hi

Looking to fit new rigid panels to 25mm stainless struts. I was thinking a saddle clamp would be good, something like this:

View attachment 116755

FWIW for my solar panels I have stainless steel clamps made from plate about 5-10x thickness as those in the picture, work ok

 

[RJJ]

Whats wrong with 304? Its not like its going to be submerged ? 304 is what a lot of stainless exhaust systems are built from..

Bit rusty, that's all. But they are cheap and easily replaced.

 

[captainboo]

Mine are all attached with 304 grade saddle clamps. As they are all under the panels they are not exposed to much water. FWIW I have a number of other fittings using the same saddles much lower down on the pushpit and they have been there for 10 years with no corrosion. I did use the cheap galvanised ones whilst making a mock up of the gantry and left those on for a couple of days and they created stains on the stainless even after that short period.

 

[RJJ]

Mine are all attached with 304 grade saddle clamps. As they are all under the panels they are not exposed to much water. FWIW I have a number of other fittings using the same saddles much lower down on the pushpit and they have been there for 10 years with no corrosion. I did use the cheap galvanised ones whilst making a mock up of the gantry and left those on for a couple of days and they created stains on the stainless even after that short period.

Thanks, seems that's the plan!

 

[Daverw]

This what we used, 316 and fitted tube size perfectly
316 Stainless Steel P Clip Hose Pipe Clamp Cable Mikalor Lined - Marine Grade | eBay

 

[RJJ]

Thanks

This what we used, 316 and fitted tube size perfectly
316 Stainless Steel P Clip Hose Pipe Clamp Cable Mikalor Lined - Marine Grade | eBay

Next question please - any recommended fastenings into the aluminium frames? Rivnuts?

 

[Graham376]

Our panels sit (insulated with tape) in a rectangular frame which is bolted to triangular brackets on the gantry, allowing them to be tilted fore or aft which makes quite a big difference in output early and late in the day.

 

[Daverw]

We just used stainless bolts with a bit of duralac with a bit of tape between