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Hi All,
In a couple of weeks I'm having a solar hybrid inverter, 8kw battery, and gateway installed on the western wall of my house, and will require sun protection as this wall gets the afternoon summer sun from midday to 9PM and roasts. The modular inverter and battery will measure 80cm wide x 60cm high x 26cm deep.
I've searched online and found it very difficult to find anything off the shelf which will fit, except for this ProtectorAl 1000 x 830 x 495mm Monument Steel Slat Airconditioner Cover which I like the look of. I ordered one through my local store who promptly called me to say they don't have any in stock after all. So, I'm here to bounce this off you guys to see if I should order one of those for delivery from another store, or if I should build something myself. I am not good at building things but I'll have a go.
As this is going to be a solar inverter and battery surround it is important to use hardwood, metal or cement sheeting in case of a fire, definitely NO pine. Now, the western wall of my fibro house has hardwood studs, and if you can imagine a basic four legged IKEA side table and the top has a cut out so that there is just a shape left about the same thickness as the legs, which I can then screw some corrugated iron onto, and screw the legs to the wall, I should be in business. It would ideally be something like 1.6m wide x 1.2m high, and be 50cm off the wall. Would the 42 x 42mm 2.7m Merbau Pre-Oiled Solid Post be suitable for this? It has to be strong come rain, hail, shine, or STRONG wind.
Alternatively, what about using 2x Jack 1800 x 900mm Oxy-Shield Spiral Screen Panels side by side, which would give me coverage of 1800mm x 1800mm. The maximum wall width available is 1900. I just can't work out how I would attach them together and then to the wall.
What about making the frame out of 20mm galvanised pipe?
I'm looking forward to hearing some ideas. I think the panel option is my favourite, but it would not allow me room to access the front panels of the inverter... I wonder if the panels could be hinged so that they would swing out to one side when required? 🤔
Thanks.
