Neodymium fishing magnets (solar panel install)

[6ply]

Does anyone have experience of using these magnets on corten steel shipping containers? I'm guessing the advertised pull force is exaggerated or difficult to achieve. I want to screw the magnets to lengths of slotted channel (unistrut) to which I'll be fixing 400W panels.

The container is in a relatively sheltered location. I realise there are uplift calculations for panels but I'd like to start with some rough ball-park figures to check if it's viable. I've watched a YouTube video in which some guy in a desert uses magnets on his container.

 

[Anguz]

if the panels are gonna be staying there wouldn't bonding brackets on with sikaflex or similar be bette r?

 

[6ply]

if the panels are gonna be staying there wouldn't bonding brackets on with sikaflex or similar be bette r?

It's a temporary setup. A proper roof may be installed later.

 

[BrokenBiker]

if the panels are gonna be staying there wouldn't bonding brackets on with sikaflex or similar be bette r?

For the love of god wear gloves

 

[Robotstar5]

Think about how you install them as the sliding force is much lower than the "pull off" force.

 

[6ply]

Think about how you install them as the sliding force is much lower than the "pull off" force.

I'm not in a rush so maybe I'll buy a couple just to try. 6m lengths of slotted channel will probably be sourced from bundles.

 

[Gareth J]

Have you ruled out "mini rails"

K2 MiniRail MK2 Set

The K2 MiniRail is used for direct mounting in portrait or landscape orientation on trapezoidal sheet metal roofing.

midsummerwholesale.co.uk

No need for lengths of rail. Can be just Tek screwed to the container ridges the same way you'd install on trapezoidal sheet metal.

Yes, you perforate the shipping container but once installed (or then removed and screws reinstalled) don't see any significant added leak risk. Potentially a lot cheaper than buying magnets, hardware and full rails.

 

[hotponyshoes]

No experience of those magnets in the link but cheap led lights stick fine to a vertical surface on a corten container.

 

[Kayos]

Got to say you are over complicating this

A big part of what I do is design PV systems, even on metal structures magnets are not an option

There are approximately eleventy million mounting/clamping options that will be easier and better than using a magnet. Mini rails as above would be my first choice

 

[6ply]

Have you ruled out "mini rails"

K2 MiniRail MK2 Set

The K2 MiniRail is used for direct mounting in portrait or landscape orientation on trapezoidal sheet metal roofing.

midsummerwholesale.co.uk

No need for lengths of rail. Can be just Tek screwed to the container ridges the same way you'd install on trapezoidal sheet metal.

Yes, you perforate the shipping container but once installed (or then removed and screws reinstalled) don't see any significant added leak risk. Potentially a lot cheaper than buying magnets, hardware and full rails.

I'll have to look into mini rails. I don't know how they are used.

 

[6ply]

Have you ruled out "mini rails"

K2 MiniRail MK2 Set

The K2 MiniRail is used for direct mounting in portrait or landscape orientation on trapezoidal sheet metal roofing.

midsummerwholesale.co.uk

No need for lengths of rail. Can be just Tek screwed to the container ridges the same way you'd install on trapezoidal sheet metal.

Yes, you perforate the shipping container but once installed (or then removed and screws reinstalled) don't see any significant added leak risk. Potentially a lot cheaper than buying magnets, hardware and full rails.

Good point regarding drilling through the ridges and minimal impact on waterproofing.

 

[Gareth J]

I'll have to look into mini rails. I don't know how they are used.

K2 MiniRail/MiniFive System

The MiniRail system for PV systems is suitable for trapezoidal sheet metal and sandwich panels. Changes of the module orientation are possible without additional parts.

k2-systems.com

They rely on the base structure (usually trapezoidal sheet) as the support. It's a very material efficient installation.

I take it there are other options than K2 but they're who I've used before.

 

[Anguz]

i have 2 panels to mount.. was intending to use unistrut
should i be putting something between the alloy panel and the galv to prevent dissimilar corrosion, or is the coating on the pv frame considered enough