back to Mark-2 solar frame design

deployment:


I use velcro ties to bundle the frames together for transport. Then they get set down on the luggage rack and
more velcro ties are used to firmly secure them to the luggage rack. I had considered attaching the panels to
the frames before transport, but that would make them much heavier, they'd catch a lot more air on the road,
and I'd have to take down my antennas. So I'll just have to assemble them when I arrive on-site.

One issue I ran into is it's more convenient to use the panel combiner boxes to attach pairs of top panels, and
another box to attach pairs of bottom panels, since the wires on the top and bottom panels won't both reach the
combiner box. But this means the feeds on the panels need to be on adjacent sides of two different frames. So
the first time I set them up I realized the ground spacer was on top on one frame and on the bottom on the frame
it was paired with. So I have to remember to attach panels the other way around on every other frame. Other
than that though, it worked out really well. I remembered to flip half of them for Winter Field Day, which did
a good job of keeping the panels above the shadow of ground snow.

All said and done, it takes me about half an hour to get all the panels and frames unpacked and set up. I hadn't
really thought about all the wire ties I would need though, and I've ran out twice, so now I have the tie box
stuffed full of ties. Don't forget to bring a side cutters to cut all those ties when packing up.

I'd also suggest bringing traffic cones or something else to help steer distracted people from bumbling into or
even stepping on) your panels.

A frames bundled for transport	B frames on luggage rack	C preparing assmebly	D single solar frame	E placing 30 wire ties	F frames flat
G frames flat with markers	H frames on pavement	I frames over grass	J frames over snow

highest resolution images
last updated 05/09/2025 at 17:33:06 by make_www_index.command version 2025.05.08.A