Solar panel hardware for Racking Mounting Stacking not sure what is called, HELP!

[eeproject1]

I have an old light tower trailer that I will be converting to solar. Where do I get the hardware that allows me to mount the solar panel to the trailer. I know I need a lid support and a racking system. Please look at the attached pictures.

[russ]

For what purpose?

[eeproject1]

I have an old light tower trailer that I will be converting to solar. Where do I get the hardware that allows me to mount the solar panel to the trailer. I know I need a lid support and a racking system. Please look at the attached pictures.

It will be used for a proof of concept. A typical solar trailer costs about 20k-35k. A Chinese import costs about $10k. I want to show we can build it for less using old diesel light towers.

[russ]

A typical solar trailer costs about 20k-35k. A Chinese import costs about $10k.

Meaningless numbers without some equipment details and dates - basically that claim is BS.

Chinese junk does come cheaper normally I suppose.

[eeproject1]

Meaningless numbers without some equipment details and dates - basically that claim is BS.

Chinese junk does come cheaper normally I suppose.

The prices I listed were from Wanco and Larson Electronics. Larson lists their prices on their website. You can get a quote from a Chinese company from alibaba.com As far as dates, not sure what type of dates your are asking, but the quotes were received in early January 2015. The equipment requirements are basic, a trailer with a telescopic mast. We have not determined power requirements yet. We are just on the hardware design stage. That is why we are using an old diesel light tower. Just looking for a source of the hardware listed on the original post. Thanks for the input.

[russ]

The prices I listed were from Wanco and Larson Electronics. Larson lists their prices on their website. You can get a quote from a Chinese company from alibaba.com As far as dates, not sure what type of dates your are asking, but the quotes were received in early January 2015. The equipment requirements are basic, a trailer with a telescopic mast. We have not determined power requirements yet. We are just on the hardware design stage. That is why we are using an old diesel light tower. Just looking for a source of the hardware listed on the original post. Thanks for the input.

Great - I will sell you one for 50% of the Chinese price - just send the funds and I will sned you the system - it will probably work as well as the Chinese crap you are looking at on alibaba.com - even the same guarantee - none. BTW - the system I would send you is vaporware.

[jony101]

If your going to build your own, home depot has all the parts to build them. Sliding rails etc. As long as you get the parts that can support the weight you plan on using your good to go.

i suspect all these companies design there own supports/rails and there is why it cost so much. its labor intensive. But it can be done and the parts are off the shelf so to speak. Thats what I myself would do.

[foo1bar]

Just looking for a source of the hardware listed on the original post.

You're looking for the sliding parts?
The over-grown drawer slides?

I would guess they're semi-custom - made for those companies.
My best guess would be to check with places that might have similar sliding mechanisms that are used outdoors - maybe an RV place, or a place that does custom metal work. I know a place that does custom fabrication work/repair, mostly for farmers. And they're who I would probably ask about doing a custom made slide & hinge like you're looking for. I'd search for metal fabrication shops near you - there's probably one not too far away.

PS don't feed the trolls.

[foo1bar]

If your going to build your own, home depot has all the parts to build them. Sliding rails etc.

My guess is that they don't have sliding rails/drawer-slides for exterior use.
The parts I can think of that they have they are selling are for use in kitchens and bathrooms and such - I would not expect them to be rated for outdoor use.
So if you are looking at HD, pay attention to whether it's outdoor rated. (or use the indoor ones to do a proof-of-concept, even though they'll probably become junk before long)