I always say, You can be proud of yourself when you built it yourself. Because you appreciate the amount of work and effort put into it. Its looks great man.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

Totally agree. It is hard work, but 100% your hard work.

First-Class rebuild and engineering right there! Love it!

I can honestly say, after living around people and pergolas in four states, I have never heard it pronounced that way lol

Looks beautiful the only major tip I would give the man is so that your bolts don’t end up ruining your expensive wood put steel platings and steel corner pieces and then put the bolts in it. It’ll make it so that the wood won’t crack and potentially fail when you’re not ready for it.

Great Build. Thanks for Sharing

Brilliant

Thats pretty cool, looks like something I would build.

😮 very nice work ❤❤❤

Looks fantastic my friend

Impressive!

Nice work

what do you do so rain does’t drip down between the panels?

NICE DUDE!! This is a killer setup !!

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Those Q-Cells like making power in lower light levels...very surprised.

It sure looks well engineered to me. Built tornado tough.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Not sure about "tornado tough". Not much is going to survive a direct EF4/5 tornado hit. BUT, now there is no more "shimmy" or wiggle. It feels tough. You can do pull ups underneath it and it won't budge.

Awesome how you maximized you back yard space for solar collection!! ☀️

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

4 ай бұрын

Thanks...def a typical small lot. But, was able to get some big-boy solar panel power without screwing with rooftop mounting

Looks good, nice work.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

11 күн бұрын

Thanks. It is holding up nicely since the redo.

That's nice man. I just bought some panels and want to do t he same you have given me some ideas

So sweet brother looks great

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

Thank you. It took lots of effort...but, I also went really slow.

I’d recommend getting some EMT and running the PV though that into the house to be code compliant and it just looks awesome. Nice build.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

11 ай бұрын

Agree. I plan to run all new lines when it cools off this fall...and use proper conduit

Nice Sir

Must not live in HOA subdivision. looking good 😊

@ChrisHufnagel_Polymath

2 ай бұрын

I did once. Never again.

NICE!!! I dont think it will move. I think its scared to move LOL Cant wait to see the power output on that west facing array in the summer time!! KEEP EM COMING!

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! A few days ago when I had 10/10 afternoon sunshine levels...my whole system was producing 5,500w (73% rated power!). This was on November 6th. In June...if I don't see 6,200w (83% rated power) I will be surprised. I can only invert 3,500w at a time, the rest goes to battery bank (14.4 kWh).

nice

Christmas lights must be amazing at your house.

Time Stamp 06:50. I will preface the following with this. I was not there when your house was built. My comment is based on common building practice. Are the brick actually attached to the house? I have seen small steel straps every 2 foot or so nailed to studs. But if a good strong gust came through, and gave that array a solid yank, would those brick stay in place? Or would a section of brick detach and come off? Honestly, I don't think it makes a difference. If a gust that strong were to come through, you would have bigger issues. It just looks like your brackets are only attached to the brick? Asside from that. The array looks beautiful. Very well constructed. I envy your solar system. Thanks for your time.

Looks great. Upgrading away from those window units would be more cost effective than adding solar. Midea makes very energy efficient window units. And ductless mini-split systems are available that are over 35 SEER. A lot more efficient than the cheapo window units. Just FYI. I cut my AC bill in half by upgrading AC. Still debating adding solar.

Looking to do that but on a bit larger scale, over my parking pad, as a "carport" lean to, as the sun traverses directly across in the optimal path. But 2022 lumber costs make it prohibitive at this time.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

Hope it all works out for you. Steel posts and Superstrut is much easier to work with vs wood...if that helps. Superstrut is stupid expensive along with hardware. Don't buy hardware at Lowe's or Home Depot...Tractor Supply or online will save you HUNDREDS of dollars.

How did you waterproof between panels.

@lunatik9696

24 күн бұрын

It looks like he butted the panels together. He may have put some sealant like silicone on the joining edge, but I feel it is unnecessary.

I did very similar bracket on my fence for backyard light. I am surprised all these setup is only 8K…my main solar is on my roof and it is around 16KWs and it is just enough for 4000 square foot home….

Nice sturdy build, Im looking at building one similar, but I will cement in stainless steal post pins to stop the rot in wet Scotland

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

6 ай бұрын

Def smarter and a better to do it that way. Mine have lasted 18 years so far. But, if I did it again, I would use steel posts in concrete like my other two solar panel arrays vs using treated wood. Those are galvanized steel and filled with cement...not going anywhere and will outlast me. Good luck with the build!

I wanted to see close up how you did the panel connections to the vertical fence.

Amazing job

I would paint the wood to resistance to water & sunlight to get a longer life out of your solar pergola

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

15 күн бұрын

I stained it...but, now I kinda wished I painted the wood. It still is looking good and holding up well

is it water tight? like if it rains does water pours down between the panels? if it's water tight, how did you do it or how would you go on doing it?

Nice work and I like the way you built it. One question though shouldn’t your ground be tied into the home ground in order to prevent a ground loop?

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

11 ай бұрын

No. I asked the electrician who inspected it...the box (panels) need their own ground at the power source. But, I get what you are asking. Never had any issues with my equipment and it passed.

That is a lot of backyard solar.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

10 ай бұрын

All my panels are now Q-cells (19 total). They have been excellent all hot summer long. Saw a max of 53.7 kWh in July. Averaging about 44 kWh this time of the year

nice job.. looks solid.. i need a pergola .. curious does this supply all the power that you use?

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

Pretty much. I supply power to six "critical" household circuits.

Nice build! Grid tie system or do you charge batteries? Lots of solar in your backyard! Impressive!

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

11 ай бұрын

Just under 10,000w in PV panels back there. I use batteries. I have two LiFePO4 banks for 44 kWh total.

Looking good Chris. BTW: I could swear your missing a tree... :)

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

Thank you...yeh, buh-bye ant-infested backyard willow. The city already came and got the debris (win!). Hope all is well in your neck of the woods

We have the same panels. Wondering what fuses you used in your combiner box? 20 or 15amp?

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

4:55

Thought about doing this to my 12x12 pergola. I wonder if it will be enough to drop my electric bill by a good margin.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

A 3,000w with good sun will def provide enough kWh to reduce electric bills

U can increase the size of that pergola if needed more power later. Thats what I plan for my carnopy / carport later

Typically a cripple or jack stud runs to the ground. It carries the load regardless of the fastener. Having said all of that, I think you will be fine for years to come.

Is there a decent snow load here? Rafter sizing seems like overkill.. If there isn't snow. Regardless of snow load, 1/2" hardware with 2x6s seems like overkill, too. Looks sweet though and probably feels good to have it super secure.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

6 ай бұрын

Snow and ice loading. Had over 5" of frozen ice/snow years ago atop the panels on the pergola. And, Oklahoma winds. So, 1/2" hardened hardware and 2x6's are necessary. My other arrays are all steel.

Very nice build. Strong. I like the Panel end clamps and I also like the Green Caps over the end of the struts. Where did you get those? I think I would like them for my setup also.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I found those green unistrut end caps on eBay. The vendor sells all kinds of colors and sizes.

@simonsays8935

Жыл бұрын

@@ChrisDIYerOklahoma I think I found it on ebay. In my watchlist now for the future. Thanks. Those will be a great addition to the end of the project.

Sir, you are addicted to hardware hahaha you did say that you have a tornado monitor so you probably need to build it extremely strong! That thing looks Bulletproof! Thanks for the video I'm trying to figure out what I should do over top of my fifth wheel trailer. The cost of metal roofing is continuously Rising so I thought I would take a look at the option of buying panels instead. I might do it for a section! Definitely a great idea

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Ай бұрын

FWIW - solar panels are really inexpensive these days. Bigger panels = more savings.

some serious screws you got there

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

...that's what she said

The issue I heard you say is hardened bolts. There is a reason why we do not build homes with screws they do not rack. Harder not the better. For outdoor applications you want less hard bolts which have a much higher ductility. For what you have it should be fine, next time just save the money and get the old fashion zinc coated ones.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

9 ай бұрын

Agree...

which state here?

Now that’s what I call a power station! How much in peak output?

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

24 күн бұрын

On a good day, about 2,400w for the pergola solar panels. For all three arrays, around 7,100w. I usually can harvest 50-52 kWh per day for all three arrays this time of the year

Looks great. Are those pergola panels bifacial?

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

6 ай бұрын

Yes. All three arrays now have bifacial Q-cells - total backyard PV panel rated power is about 9,500 watts

More bolts and screws than wood XD

are these solar panels hail resistant ?

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

Hail resistant - no. Hail rated up to 1" - yes. Insured - yes.

Rule of thumb: When someone opens a statement (or a video) saying I'm an engineer, run away, as quick as you can. But when someone else opens a statement saying I'm NOT an engineer, he's got something you might want to hear.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

22 күн бұрын

Thanks. Just a 2LT in the military saying, "...based on my experience". I was not an officer during my 20+ years

@Overdoer949

19 күн бұрын

Well, then there’s the pronunciation of, “per-GO-la” 😂

@glyngibbs9489

5 күн бұрын

I have the same rule with self proclaimed experts 😂

What is the size

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

Roughly 10' x 16'

Why is it so short? Don’t you run the risk of hitting you head? Why didn’t you make it match the roofline?

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

Жыл бұрын

I built it 16 years ago and it was higher (to the roof). Through the years have had to remake/redo the top several times and cut back on the studs. Yes, I hit my head on the short end. The solar panels get AM shading, but the angle (summertime sun) is really good

What are the measurements of this pergola??? Also what are the measurements of your solar panels??

that's some engineering from a non engineer.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

11 ай бұрын

It's holding up well as of today (Oct 11, 2023)

Tornado-proof

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

10 ай бұрын

Hahaaa...I wish. Direct hit big tornadoes flatten houses...this solar panel pergola would be destroyed. It is strengthened for higher winds and is insured. My two steel arrays would fair better in a severe storm with high winds.

@mtay65

10 ай бұрын

@@ChrisDIYerOklahoma It looks very strong to me. Mine looks weak now. LOL.

You might want to read up on bolted connections in wood. They are very different than bolted connections in steel. A bolted connection in steel the bolt clamps the pieces of steel together and the clamping friction is the major part of the joint strength. As the wood expands and contracts, the bolt will get loose. When this happens you lose any clamping force. The only thing holding the joint together is the shear strength of the bolt. You selected nice strong bolts, so they probably won't fail in shear, but they are kind of wasted because the wood will fail around the tiny bearing surface of the bolt. I've seen lots of bolted wood structures last a good long time, but IMHO there are better ways to make these connections. -Jon

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

9 ай бұрын

Thanks. Beats the T-25 wood screws I used before. I am not even close to knowing much about carpentry. But, this is "still" way better than what I had.

You do not use bolt on wood....appart if you sandwich with metal hardware.

Look like a mess, with the small garden space you got i would have favored the roof......

What's up with content creators not allowing to "save" vidoes anymore? --OR--- is this a KZread thing now?

God must have protected you from getting electrocuted.

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma

3 ай бұрын

I have been poked by solar panel voltages...not fun. I respect electricity, but don't fear it. I worked on much higher voltage equipment that would kill on contact. So, safety is always first doing any project...even solar stuff

i'm tryna do the same thing, can you list the parts that you bought? it will be my first build thanks so much for the video

Nice work