Hi, this is Wayne again with a topic “Solar Panel Tripod Mount”.
Solar panels are great for getting power in remote locations, but you always need to find a way to set up the panel once you get there. A great way to do this is with a tripod. Mount tripods make ideal. Portable stands because they’re adjustable lightweight and collapsible, all you have to do is make a simple adapter so that you can mount a solar panel onto the tripod. So the first thing that you need is a camera tripod. You need to find one. That’S strong enough to support the weight of your panel plus a few pounds of mounting hardware. Next, you need to locate the mounting brackets on the frame of your solar panel. This is where we’ll be connecting the solar panel to the tripod measure, the distances between all of the mounting holes.
Now we need to cut some pieces of 1×2 lumber to make the adapter cut two pieces that are an inch and a half longer than the spacing between the mounting holes on each side of the panel. These will be the side pieces of the adapter frame. Then cut one piece that is three inches longer than the spacing between the mounting holes on opposite sides of the panel. This will be the cross piece of the adapter frame.
In order to hang the solar panel on the adapter frame, i added four screws to the two side boards that line up with the mounting holes on the solar panel. If the spacing is right, the screws should fit into the holes and slide into the locking position. Next drill a quarter inch hole in the center of the two side.
Boards, then, on the side, with the mounting screws use a half inch drill bit to countersink. The holes now lay the third board on top, so that the bottom end is flush with one side board and the top board sticks out an inch and a half past. The other side board mark the outline of where the boards intersect drill two quarter inch holes in this board.
That line up with the holes in the first two boards then drill one more hole: centered between them to assemble the frame insert a quarter inch bolt through the holes in the two side. Boards then fit them through the corresponding holes in the top board and secure them in place with a washer and nut to attach the frame to the tripod we’re going to use the tripod’s quick release plate. We just need to replace the attaching screw with a longer bolt start by removing the snap ring. That’S holding the screw in place then remove the screw, replace it with a quarter inch bolt and a small washer insert the bolt through the center hole in the top board and secure it in place with a washer and nut. The last thing to add is the positioning guide on the side of the crossbar that sticks out past the side board drill a small hole then insert a small wooden dowel into the hole. This will act like a sun dial and help us to line up the panel directly with the sun.
Now the adapter frame is complete. Using the quick release plate attach the frame to the tripod then carefully fit the solar panel onto the frame. You now have a solar panel stand that you can take anywhere with you, thanks for watching and check back next week for more diy hacks and how to’s .