Roof hook spacing

[Mrjmegson]

Omg, Binky, how do you do this for a living, nothing is simple.

So I've got next week off to install my system, and the weather forecast says tomorrow is the only dry day, so I've decided to put the mounting system up, so I can work inside on the bad days (will obviously have to put the panels up in shitty weather at some point, but Thur isn't looking too bad)

But my issue (now) is the roof hook spacing. I'm having my rails vertical, and panels horizontal.

My roof timbers are 61cm centres, and there are 13 of them. The roof space for the panels is 760cm. My panels say they can have brackets placed between 280 and 420 in from each edge.

I can make some work:

1st 280 and 320
2nd 280 and 420
3rd 180 and 420
4th 180 and 420

So you can see the 280s and 420s are right on the maximum, so I guess that's ok, but the two 180s are 100 too close to the edge.

How on earth do you make it work?

I can only achieve these figures by mounting the hook using it's very last set of holes, which I really don't like, as it's effectively hanging off the timber.

Sorry, I know I'm a pain in the arse.

 

[Barx]

Absolute pain in the rear doing vertical rails. At the end of the day you can only work with what you have.
Have you checked if the panels can be clamped on the short edge? Some allow it, many dont.

 

[binky]

What on earth possessed you to use vertical rails? If you are stuck with that put the panels on in landscape if you can. The other option is to cross rail, ie attach rails on top of the vertical ones. Even better change the rails to horizontal or you will struggle like hell with it all.

Rain isn't too bad, it's wind that is dangerous when handling the panels.

 

[Mrjmegson]

Morning Barx,

These can be clamped on all edges, yeh. Would that help me?

I've decided to put noggins between the roof timbers, then I can put the brackets exactly where they need to be. More work, but will be a better job, and I'm going to use 75 x 100 noggins, which is better than my 40 x 100 timbers.

 

[Barx]

Morning Barx,

These can be clamped on all edges, yeh. Would that help me?

I've decided to put noggins between the roof timbers, then I can put the brackets exactly where they need to be. More work, but will be a better job, and I'm going to use 75 x 100 noggins, which is better than my 40 x 100 timbers.

It's up to you really, but horizontal rails are generally easier. Only time vertical rails are better is if your panels are stacking up the roof on top of each other.
If the panels are laying side by side then you just have 2 long runs of rail rather than lots of vertical bits.

 

[binky]

Morning Barx,

These can be clamped on all edges, yeh. Would that help me?

I've decided to put noggins between the roof timbers, then I can put the brackets exactly where they need to be. More work, but will be a better job, and I'm going to use 75 x 100 noggins, which is better than my 40 x 100 timbers.

well, that will sort things out, and give you a bit more timber to screw hooks to. Getting 2 screws into skinny rafters isn't ideal.

2 important points nt generally discussed on forums:-

1/ screws, you need something like 8x80 2 per hook.
2/ the arm of the roof hooks need to be at least 5mm off the roof tiles or slates - this can be easier said than done sometimes depending on the depth of the battens, but it is important to prevent the panels bouncing up an down in strong winds and breaking your slates or tiles.

Only problem with changing layout plans is you tend to find you have the wrong numbers of mid and end clamps for the panels

 

[binky]

. My panels say they can have brackets placed between 280 and 420 in from each edge.

don't get too hung up on those figures, you won't see many panels installed within those tolerances because they just don't tie in with UK roof construction. You just don't want to be right on the corners, or leave a large overhang which tends to make the panels 'flap' in high winds.

The frames are designed to withstand things like 3 tons of snow per panel and hurricane force wind pressures, which we just don't get in the UK, so you can get away with not being within 280-420 and not cause any issues.

 

[binky]

Omg, Binky, how do you do this for a living, nothing is simple.

Years of practice

I've actually given up on most solar work after developing arthritis in my shoulder, which has a lot to do with lugging every larger and heavier panels. I do an odd installation for friends, just to keep my hand in. I also quite like working on a roof, in good weather, frosty winter's days can sod off these days

 

[fourtytwo]

I've actually given up on most solar work after developing arthritis in my shoulder

I had the same problem and got a big shot of quartazone put in it at the local hospital, worked wonders and that was a few years ago! I only saw the needle afterwards (it went in from behind) otherwise I would have run a mile........

 

[binky]

I had the same problem and got a big shot of quartazone put in it at the local hospital, worked wonders and that was a few years ago! I only saw the needle afterwards (it went in from behind) otherwise I would have run a mile........

How long has that lasted?

 

[fourtytwo]

How long has that lasted?

So far about 6 years & still going strong. I had to stop chopping logs because of it but back to normal now with my favorite big axe. I reckon I put up with it getting worse for two years thinking if I rested it and tried just about every heat potion on it that it would get better. I was very lucky this was before Covid as the waiting time once I was diagnosed was only a couple of months....... Funny part was the specialist said after examining me, well we can book you an appointment to have the jab or I can do it right now, of course I said right now please.....again before I saw the needle hahaha

I hope you can get some treatment sooner than later, I know what it's like, very debilitating and even difficult to sleep at night, I even bought a new bed to try and improve it! Good luck.

 

[binky]

So far about 6 years & still going strong. I had to stop chopping logs because of it but back to normal now with my favorite big axe. I reckon I put up with it getting worse for two years thinking if I rested it and tried just about every heat potion on it that it would get better. I was very lucky this was before Covid as the waiting time once I was diagnosed was only a couple of months....... Funny part was the specialist said after examining me, well we can book you an appointment to have the jab or I can do it right now, of course I said right now please.....again before I saw the needle hahaha

I hope you can get some treatment sooner than later, I know what it's like, very debilitating and even difficult to sleep at night, I even bought a new bed to try and improve it! Good luck.

Interesting. I was told by my doctor about 5 years ago it was ' wear and tear' and carried on working hard. I went back a couple of years ago, different doctor, to get it x-rayed again. It was the radiologist who told me what wear and tear means. Doctor did send me for some physio, which has helped. Fortunately I'm in a position whereby I can work part time, and avoid heavy work like solar. I must go back and have another chat with the doctor.

We also bought a better bed, it does help, although I've kind of learnt to live with the constant niggle - I'm no fan of needles