Skoolie Solar Deck/Roof Rack Installation: School Bus Conversion Ep 17

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In this video we installed solar racks made for residential pitched roofs by Iron Ridge (www.ironridge..... We adapted them for our school bus roof in order to hold 8 or 9 residential solar panels (which we scored for free when we picked up our racks) and one or two small decks. We went this route because it was simple, made sense to us, and would be able to accommodate both the racks and the decks.
In addition the the Iron Ridge parts, we bought 2 1/2" 3/8 stainless steel bolts, washers, and nylon locknuts. To seal the holes we used blackjack roofing silicone which given that our roof is coated in Henry's Tropicool, a silicone based product, was our only real option. Our first attempt left a couple leaks, but we fix that quickly and are now leak free!
Please ask questions if you've got em.

[@YashKumar-ij5rc]

Please make a video on how you decided to use what model and what equipment to build. It will help me to plan my build. By the way, excellent video, and your explanation is fantastic.

[@bradenmackey8116]

I'm doing this same setup (with the xr1000) and I just got the hardware today. Only difference is I'll be screwing into my hat channels vs bolting. My question - was your roof angle an issue with attaching the panels with the rails not being 90 degrees? I have a collins body which is fairly flat but there's still some roundness nonetheless.

[@MobileDwellings]

A nice flat roof like mine makes it a non issue. You’ll be fine with the Collin’s too.

[@janinenielsen1178]

Are you pre-drilling these holes through the ribs or next to them? I'm thinking through the ribs would be strongest but if yours hold fine we will do that.

[@MobileDwellings]

Through the ribs

[@brutally_honest]

Do you have a video of how you actually attached the solar panels to this rack? Would be super helpful :) or tips on how you did this.. it looks bome

[@impulsesystems]

czcams.com/video/2b8lXssGpPA/video.html

[@arsonsb]

What angle did yours come out at?…. Mine were slanted out and not 90*

[@MobileDwellings]

Mine were quite close to 90 as my roof is so flat. How far from 90 are yours? Check out what Chuck Cassady does to handle the curve and put the feet further out: czcams.com/video/zTqqPJLp7LU/video.html

[@nolan.w.allaire7034]

Hello, I really appreciate the video! Would you be able to link or list the parts you used in this rack system? There are some different options available for rails and hardware and would like to know what you used if possible. There are so many different L feet at varied costs but they all look the same. Also, how many L feet did you use for each railing? Thank you!

[@dandotmp4]

Hi seconding this request! I'm working with an IronRidge distributer and knowing the specific parts you used here would be soooooo helpful.

[@bennettjt0]

this is awesome, your videos have been a huge help. Do you think these would be strong enough for a deck? we want to have one rail system for simplicity that is 1/2 solar 1/2 deck.

[@MobileDwellings]

Yes these are strong enough for a deck.

[@Damian-xc7km]

How is your roof rack holding up? Any issues with it, im thinking of doing this.

[@MobileDwellings]

Roof rack and panels are rock solid after 15K+ miles. I go up there every once in a while to check panel to rack bolts for tightness and they don't loosen. Highly recommend. Already installed it on a second bus.