Solar Thermal Install

[Gareth J]

I'll soon be cutting and shutting these stainless brackets. I'll be doing away with the bolted joint where my thumb is:

View attachment 353067

MIG or stick is the question? I've a part roll of 0.8mm st/st wire, came I think from Machine Mart years back. No idea on the grade, the roll label is long gone Then a few 2.5mm 316 rods. So it's cut, clamp square and have at it. Probably 8 to do.

I've no idea what grade the bracket stainless is.

I'd go mig personally. Could you not redrill the bracket though? To get that bit where your thumb is to sit down a bit. Or if it allows access to more material, switch the brackets around and use the other end (you were cutting that end off anyway, no?)

 

[Onoff]

is it stainless or just glavanised metal id guess its glavanised get down to screwfix for a can of spray after you have welded it

and for welding we dont know what mig welder you have and what power
but i most go for 0-3mm mig much above that stick

The brackets are definitely stainless.

The mig is a Clarke 130TE.

Both stick welders will handle it easy. Just got to buy some more rods.

 

[Onoff]

I'd go mig personally. Could you not redrill the bracket though? To get that bit where your thumb is to sit down a bit. Or if it allows access to more material, switch the brackets around and use the other end (you were cutting that end off anyway, no?)

Redrilling isn't an option. Needs anyway to be a square hole.

All I could do I think is cut the bottom off and that would leave an open bottomed slot even if I switch the bracket around.

Re-welding seems to make more sense.

 

[Gareth J]

Redrilling isn't an option. Needs anyway to be a square hole.

All I could do I think is cut the bottom off and that would leave an open bottomed slot even if I switch the bracket around.

Re-welding seems to make more sense.

View attachment 353069

Fair enough, like that, if it'll go low enough, I'd probably cut the bottom off, ditch the bolt, drop it down and weld the sides and bottom. It'd suit my welding (in)abilities better and leave the bend intact. I'm sure there won't be much flex in it once it's all resting down but stainless can be pretty prone to fatigue failure and leaving that corner alone seems like a sensible idea.

Yo u get a nice stainless bolt for the rails too

 

[gaz1]

whys the need to cut it

just flatten it off at more of an angle with the hammer

same with bracket fitting fasten so bracket is on top instead of underneath and crack the bracket so it folds in the right place

it really makes no difference if its stuck in the air at 90 or at 45 degrees

 

[Onoff]

just flatten it off at more of an angle with the hammer

Animal!

 

[angellonewolf]

whys the need to cut it

just flatten it off at more of an angle with the hammer

same with bracket fitting fasten so bracket is on top instead of underneath and crack the bracket so it folds in the right place

it really makes no difference if its stuck in the air at 90 or at 45 degrees

Animal!

to be fair thats quite a good idea hold it nice in a vice bend it a few degrees each way job done

 

[Onoff]

Stainless is a bit brittle imo to go hammering it.

 

[Onoff]

Just to say a huge, huge thank you to @OJCar.

Back in May I bought the aforementioned solar thermal expansion tank and control gear on Gumtree. The seller didn't want to post. @OJCar kindly answered my appeal for help, went and collected the stuff that was local ish to him and held onto it for me.

The plan was a Scots mate who lives down here would pick it up on his annual July pilgrimage back to Edinburgh.

He then decided what with rising fuel costs he was going to take a coach or train when he goes rather than drive.

After a few PM's @OJCar stepped up, sorted the boxing up and courier for me too. All bits now safely arrived down South!

Great forum and members once again!

 

[Onoff]

Still Covid+ and banned from the house save for the bedroom / ensuite, I've been keeping busy in the garden. Work have said don't come back until I test negative. Half a plan to start the cutting and shutting of the panel rail support brackets tomorrow. Trouble is the stainless rods are somewhere in the house. Means me directing SWMBO to find them = row!

 

[gaz1]

Still Covid+ and banned from the house save for the bedroom / ensuite, I've been keeping busy in the garden. Work have said don't come back until I test negative. Half a plan to start the cutting and shutting of the panel rail support brackets tomorrow. Trouble is the stainless rods are somewhere in the house. Means me directing SWMBO to find them = row!

I bet SWMBO is enjoying you been banned to the bedroom

peaceful nights sleep and a bed to herself she can then spread as much as she likes without getting disturbed by your snoring

never mind your groaning and moaning that you do during the night.

 

[Onoff]

I bet SWMBO is enjoying you been banned to the bedroom

peaceful nights sleep and a bed to herself she can then spread as much as she likes without getting disturbed by your snoring

never mind your groaning and moaning that you do during the night.

I've got the super king size bed and en suite all to myself whilst she's kipping downstairs on the sofa!

 

[angellonewolf]

I bet SWMBO is enjoying you been banned to the bedroom

peaceful nights sleep and a bed to herself she can then spread as much as she likes without getting disturbed by your snoring

never mind your groaning and moaning that you do during the night.

im not sure theres going to be much moaning and groaning if his other half is in close contact in the same house

 

[pedrobedro]

Still Covid+ and banned from the house save for the bedroom / ensuite,

Don't bother, just carry on as normal. We tried all the above and she still caught it within 3 days.

 

[Matchless]

When I got it we carried on as normal within the house and my wife did not! I recently drove back from Gaydon or Stanford hall in my Tesco truck with my mate who was diagnosed the next day, he had a nasty cough, and I was clear......

 

[Onoff]

How many amps roughly to stick these 4mm bits together? All I have is 2mm 316L rods. Cheers.

 

[Cobbler]

When I got it we carried on as normal within the house and my wife did not! I recently drove back from Gaydon or Stanford hall in my Tesco truck with my mate who was diagnosed the next day, he had a nasty cough, and I was clear......

Same as us, we were in Spain with friends, they both got it, we were sat with them in the evenings & we didn’t get it. After we got home, I got it, I think I caught it on the ferry, we were unable to separate, shared bed etc. & Mrs C stayed negative. It doesn’t make sense, luckily I felt fine, just felt a bit under the weather for the first day, but tested positive for 10 days.

 

[Onoff]

I really don’t know why you are messing about with welding. Those brackets are easily adjusted to fit the roof timbers and the tiles. With the bolts you can easily adjust for the brackets to sit on the timber and just clear the tiles. What is too difficult about that?

The tiles will sit up too high with the brackets like they are. I'm looking for the tiles once it's done to sit as flush as they do now. The top tile will need a little slot taken out of the underside.

 

[Onoff]

I was referring to the brackets fitting close to the lower tile - the bolted bracket allows some latitude. The top tile will need relieving agt the lower edge to get that to sit down neatly of course.

There's too much latitude. Left as is the bracket would be through the top tile. As I said I know I have to relieve the top tile.

These brackets aren't for these tiles but were dirt cheap.