Mounts for new Solar Panels

[RThorn]

Looking for suggestions on the mounting hardware to use on my new solar panels. I like the Gemini product but I really don't want to fork over $250 for 8 rail mounts. I know Martin hates the original that are on the Ranger Tugs! I have the 1" rails so I assume those are standard equipment. I would even consider the black nylon mounts that the factory uses if I knew where to buy those.

Any other suggestions would be great. I am old and cheap!

Randy

 

[scross]

I’ve used these: Yakima Universal SNAR Snap Arounds. About $10 to $15 for a set of four. They are for the round Yakima bars and as a result are a tiny bit big for our round 1” rails. I use one wrap of “rubber tape” around the rail to tighten everything up. A set typically uses a carriage bolt but correctly sized any bolt will do. They have proven to be extremely strong over the past 8 years of use.

https://yakima.com/products/snar-set

 

[Gin]

The originals that came on my solar panel were these, from Sea Dog: https://www.fisheriessupply.com/sea-dog-line-rail-mount-bracket-round. I’m on the hunt for a better option, but these at least will do.

Gini

 

[Full_O_Fish]

Just finished upgrading (replacing) the old Kyocera panel with two 24v 200W panels, what a difference it makes! The old sea dog mounts were in pretty harsh shape and needed 4 more mounts for a second panel. After lots of searching and even trying a few mounts from the uk, finally settled on these from Amazon and they’ve been holding up great and made life a breeze, mostly.

House Tuning 1 inch Bar Clamp-Pack 4 Roof Rack Bar Mounts Tube Clamps Horizontal Bar Clamp Mounting Bracket for Motorcycle ATV Utv Boat Trucks (1"- Clamp Mount kit) https://a.co/d/c99aGpB

Lots of different inserts to accommodate most any rail size, though they only come with one so make sure you order the correct size for your rail. Best part of mounting these was that the screws to clamp them on go in from the side rather than the bottom like the originals so no 90deg adapter needed, just a screwdriver. I did replace the screws with some 316 stainless ones just to be on the safe side from needing to clean rust off the roof under the panels in the future.

Hint: Measure, Mark, dill, and Mount the brackets to the panels, then place the panels down on the rails and attach the other side of the clamps. Seems obvious now, but after a half hour of cursing the first panel trying to reach underneath and attach nuts to the frame I saw the error of my ways.

 

[dbsea]

I sprung for the Gemini mounts when I replaced my 140w Kyocera panel with the 200w CMP panel last year. They are worth their weight and cost, they are exceptional and easy to work with. I firmly believe that on some things, you get what you pay for.