My DIY 60 kW 220 panel setup
- Thread starter crazydane
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WorldwideDave
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great thread. love the pix with the text on them. very detailed.
SenileOldGit
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Has the OP heard of ground screws? I think you could have saved yourself a lot of money and time, rather than using concrete foundations for your ground mounts.
There are two major types-- helical piers for bearing and things like duckbill anchors for uplift.
SenileOldGit
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I don't think so, I'm talking about metal ground screws, they are $20-$30 each.
Order - UK Helix
View Products & Order Now You can view all our products below and start the order process. Please note: Using screw piles correctly requires planning. If you are a first-time buyer, send us a message using the form below or give us a call so we can ensure you get the right products for your job. […]
www.ukhelix.com
1 x Screw Pile Installation Tool SR100 £12
2 x 1.5m Tube for Installation £24
£36 total
You can use a lump hammer with a wooden drift to help the ground screw start to dig into the ground as you both turn it with the short scaffolding tubes - you don't need to insert the thinner tubes at the beginning, you only need them when it's impossible to turn the short tubes by hand.
Once you get most of the screw into the ground, it's extremely hard work pushing the poles around, even with two people, and then you know the ground screw is rock solid.
My installation guide: (Two people are needed)
Use a two feet long masonry drill, to drill a guide hole in the ground - this also helps you find out if there are any stones directly underneath where you intend to put the ground screw. I had to drill in a different place several times while setting up my solar panels, because of stones in the ground.
Then use a drift (piece of wood, placed on top of the ground screw, held by your assistant) which you hit with a lump hammer, then you both turn the ground screw 90 degrees, holding the short tubes of the Screw pile Installation Tool to turn it by hand, then hit the drift again a few times with the lump hammer, then turn the ground screw another 90 degrees, and carry on until you feel the screw is firmly embedded in the ground, and is able to screw itself in as you turn it, with no further need to hit it with a lump hammer! Then you find you can no longer turn the screw with just the short tubes of the Screw Pile Installation Tool, and then you insert the 1.5m tubes, and turn the screw that way, as shown in the video above.
Remember - it's better to leave too much of the screw sticking out and then have to tighten it down a bit, than to screw it in too far, and then have to undo it - I imagine undoing it will make the screw much less reliable, as it will now have a slight 'hole' underneath its end.
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Are those rated for pull-out strength?
SenileOldGit
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I used ground screws like this
but I bought the insertion tool from the pile company, because noone else seems to sell it. So I'm afraid I don't know anything about the piles.
Heavy Duty Round Ground Screw Post Spike Post Anchor Post Support Post Base | eBay
The round ground screws have been galvanised throughout to withstand any weather conditions. Why Choose Us ?. 65 650 1.8.
www.ebay.co.uk
but I bought the insertion tool from the pile company, because noone else seems to sell it. So I'm afraid I don't know anything about the piles.
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