Hello Folks,
Few months ago, I bought a house. In the past, in another house, I installed two small sollar arrays in the house' and in a detached garage's roof. Currently, I am looking into install a very small solar array (two 120Watts solar panels in series) on top of two fence posts (4x4).
The install would not be vertical, but horizontal and above the fence posts. The panels would have a small wood frame (red cedar) which would then be supported primarily by two fence posts.
Initial problem is due to the posts dimensions. Upon measuring the posts, it was found out that it measures about 3.9” by 3.9”. I then assumed that it was a 4x4, but turns out that a 4x4 measures 3.5” by 3.5”. The pic below depicts the issue:
![FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_INSTALL1.jpg FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_INSTALL1.jpg](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/houserepairtalk/data/attachments/31/31017-018b8e7f1d909cfe8720034ec9766140.jpg)
An overview of the spot whereby the small array would be located:
![FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_INSTALL2.jpg FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_INSTALL2.jpg](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/houserepairtalk/data/attachments/31/31018-59f6a670cdcf885ef8e5c655303c7f8d.jpg)
Would frame pre-assembly:
![FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_PANELS_WOOD_FRAME_PREASSEMBLY.jpg FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_PANELS_WOOD_FRAME_PREASSEMBLY.jpg](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/houserepairtalk/data/attachments/31/31019-308218007c4bfe3b7ae0c041937e398c.jpg)
That is the ideal spot given my circumstances. It is very small array, so it should not put much stress in terms of weight bearing on the posts. Primarily, it would be used to feed power for two cameras, some low voltage and low intensity lights, and few small pumps (5 or 12DVC) used in an small irrigation system.
Could not find out the timber/lumber with the right dimensions to extend the posts at local home centers. Maybe they were custom made? Any insights would be appreciated.
Few months ago, I bought a house. In the past, in another house, I installed two small sollar arrays in the house' and in a detached garage's roof. Currently, I am looking into install a very small solar array (two 120Watts solar panels in series) on top of two fence posts (4x4).
The install would not be vertical, but horizontal and above the fence posts. The panels would have a small wood frame (red cedar) which would then be supported primarily by two fence posts.
Initial problem is due to the posts dimensions. Upon measuring the posts, it was found out that it measures about 3.9” by 3.9”. I then assumed that it was a 4x4, but turns out that a 4x4 measures 3.5” by 3.5”. The pic below depicts the issue:
![FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_INSTALL1.jpg FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_INSTALL1.jpg](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/houserepairtalk/data/attachments/31/31017-018b8e7f1d909cfe8720034ec9766140.jpg)
An overview of the spot whereby the small array would be located:
![FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_INSTALL2.jpg FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_INSTALL2.jpg](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/houserepairtalk/data/attachments/31/31018-59f6a670cdcf885ef8e5c655303c7f8d.jpg)
Would frame pre-assembly:
![FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_PANELS_WOOD_FRAME_PREASSEMBLY.jpg FORTWAYNE_HOUSE_FENCE_SOLAR_PANELS_WOOD_FRAME_PREASSEMBLY.jpg](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/houserepairtalk/data/attachments/31/31019-308218007c4bfe3b7ae0c041937e398c.jpg)
That is the ideal spot given my circumstances. It is very small array, so it should not put much stress in terms of weight bearing on the posts. Primarily, it would be used to feed power for two cameras, some low voltage and low intensity lights, and few small pumps (5 or 12DVC) used in an small irrigation system.
Could not find out the timber/lumber with the right dimensions to extend the posts at local home centers. Maybe they were custom made? Any insights would be appreciated.
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