That's really valuable real world experience Benn - Thank you!
I did intuitively notice in watching the assembly videos that that after
the initial tensioning of the anchor cable that there was only minimal
attention (and hardware) devoted to keeping that cable under tension.
Could be as simple as a ratcheting device to periodically tighten up
after install perhaps? Doesn't seem like that would be too hard to
retrofit.
I do see you are in the plains up there in Canada - so wondering perhaps
the winds are much higher - still it shouldn't move a cm after install!
Thanks again - very valuable feedback. Sorry you had hassles!
Best,
Jeff
Benn Kilburn <mailto:[email protected]>
January 3, 2022 at 7:52 AM
Sorry, I sent that last email too soon by accident….
Yes, I’ve installed a few of these Nuance Osprey racks…. With much
less than satisfactory experiences.
The rack tables themselves go together fairly well, however the cable
anchor system, while seemingly slick, left much to be desired in my
experiences.
Some anchors would not come close to the required load test pull-out
values, requiring extra anchors to be needed, which is fine, until all
the anchor holes have been used. The anchors don’t “securely” hold the
rack down, meaning it leaves a bit of room for movement, so under high
wind, and over time it can wiggle and loosen the anchors leaving more
and more room for movement each time. That said, they do recommend
rechecking the anchors after some time, but this can be an issue for
some sites.
I have gone back to check a site and a rack (with other racks on
either side) had shifted forward about 25cm, seemingly due to high
wind. It drove the front anchor base plates into the ground and caused
some damage to the rack structure which had a design flaw that I
believe was corrected.
They recommend re checking the pull-out load testing of the anchors
after a year or so but I have yet to be given a solution for
rechecking the front anchors without removing modules, which are in
the way of doing the pull out test.
It’s been over a year and a half since the last one I worked on so
it’s not so fresh in my mind but I do know there were several other
issues with the rack/rail assembly and mounting modules, issues with
the mod mud/end clamps.
I’m not completely against giving it another try, but not without
reviewing the notes and photos from the last ones and confirming the
issues have been addressed.
Regards,
Benn
--
Benn Kilburn
SkyFire Energy
780-906-7807
Benn Kilburn <mailto:[email protected]>
January 3, 2022 at 7:22 AM
I’ve installed a few of these Nuance Osprey racks..~85kw, ~50kw
--
Benn Kilburn
SkyFire Energy
780-906-7807
Jeff Clearwater <mailto:[email protected]>
December 30, 2021 at 1:30 PM
Wow cool product Nick! Anyone have actual experience?
I've been thinking that the concrete beam systems (above grade
pre-engineered rectangular blocks like solarmounts.com) really could
be used for any ground mount rack system (Unirac, IronRidge,
SnapNRack, SolarMounts, ReadyRack, etc.) in other words many ground
mount systems could be bolted to an above grade concrete beam - would
just need a sign off on uplift by an engineer at the worst or just
apply existing engineering models. Many manufacturers already off
that option and probably provide the engineering.
This might expand small system options for those manufacturers only
offering ballast systems to large system buyers.
Which makes me think that If I tried a Nuance system and the soil
didn't work out for the cable pull you could then just bolt them down
to a concrete beam system as a plan b.
Thoughts? Experience anyone?
best,
jc
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Jeff Clearwater <mailto:[email protected]>
December 30, 2021 at 1:01 PM
Wow cool product Nick! Anyone have actual experience?
I've been thinking that the concrete beam systems (above grade
pre-engineered rectangular blocks like solarmounts.com) really could
be used for any ground mount rack system (Unirac, IronRidge,
SnapNRack, SolarMounts, ReadyRack, etc.) in other words many ground
mount systems could be bolted to an above grade concrete beam - would
just need a sign off on uplift by an engineer at the worst or just
apply existing engineering models. Many manufacturers already off
that option and probably provide the engineering.
This might expand small system options for those manufacturers only
offering ballast systems to large system buyers.
Which makes me think that If I tried a Nuance system and the soil
didn't work out for the cable pull you could then just bolt them down
to a concrete beam system as a plan b.
Thoughts? Experience anyone?
best,
jc
Nick A Lucchese <mailto:[email protected]>
December 30, 2021 at 11:38 AM
Greetings Mac,
I recently have been investigating the use of Nuance’s Osprey
<https://nuanceenergy.com/> product solution. Doesn’t necessarily fall
under the ballasted category and since you’re trying to avoid the heat
pump lines it may not fit your strategy either but I really like the
option of getting away from pouring concrete. The anchors are set
40-65” deep. For smaller projects it seems like the cost may be
somewhat prohibitive due to shipping logistics but appears like they
price out affordably once you purchase a bit of specialized equipment
and get around the freight costs.
That ReadyRack geo-ballast looks quite cool too Jeff, thanks for the
link on that.
Best of luck, Nick
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Mac Lewis <mailto:[email protected]>
December 28, 2021 at 3:31 PM
Hello Wrenches,
Can anyone recommend a ballasted ground mount solution that is offered
on a residential scale? Below 10kW typically.
Thanks in advance!
--
Mac Lewis
*
"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates
*
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