APA READYRACK Bedienungsanleitung
Updated: March 2023
INSTALLATION MANUAL
TM
TM
PAGE 2 - INSTALLATION MANUAL
READY RACK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 PARTS LIST
4 SITE PREPARATION, UTILITIES, SURVEYING
5 REVIEW & INSTALLATION PREPARATION, UNEVEN GROUND, MEASURING
6 FOUNDATION INSTALLATION (HELICAL)
7 FOUNDATION INSTALLATION (SCREW), ALTERNATE FOUNDATION INSTALLATION,
POST INSTALLATION (SCREW ONLY)
8 POST INSTALLATION (SCREW ONLY - CONTINUED)
E/W STRUT PURLIN-TO-N/S CHORD
10 E/W STRUT PURLIN SPLICE, CROSS BRACE TUBE INSTALLATION
11 CABLE BRACE-TO-FRONT (SOUTH) POST
12 PANEL INSTALLATION
13 CABLE BRACE-TO-REAR (NORTH) POST
14 PRO TIPS
9 TUBE CLAMP STAGING, N/S CHORD-TO-POST, FINE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT,
15 O&M REQUIREMENTS
STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
[1] FOUNDATION (HELICAL)
[2] FOUNDATION (SCREW)
[3] FRONT (SOUTH) POST
[4] REAR (NORTH) POST
[5] CROSS BRACE TUBE
[6] N/S CHORD
[7] E/W STRUT PURLIN
HARDWARE
[8] END CLAMP ASSEMBLY
[9] MID CLAMP ASSEMBLY
[10] 3/8-16 SERRATED FLANGE NUT
[11] 3/8-16 CHANNEL NUT
[12] 3/8-16X1.00” SERRATED FLANGE BOLT
[13] 3/8-16X2.75” SERRATED FLANGE BOLT
[14] M16-2.0X25 HEX SET BOLT (SCREW ONLY)
[15] TUBE CLAMP BOLT
[16] STRUT SPLICE
[17] CABLE BRACING
[18] TUBE CLAMP
PARTS LIST
PAGE 3 - INSTALLATION MANUAL
READY RACK
E/W STRUT PURLIN-TO-N/S CHORD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18
PAGE 4 - INSTALLATION MANUAL
READY RACK
SITE PREPARATION
Site preparation should be conducted prior to construc-
tion. This will typically involve grubbing, rock and debris
removal, and any other preparation that will facilitate
swift and unhindered installation.
UTILITIES
All utilities should be marked before any construction
begins.
SURVEYING
To ensure that the solar array is installed according to
customer plans, the site should be surveyed accord-
ing to the scope of work. This includes the North and
South foundation locations for the Ready Rack system.
For projects with signicant topography, survey points
should be checked with a tape measure.
CONSTRUCTION 101
All structures, regardless of how complex, are built one
step at a time. Each new step builds on the previous. In
order for the nal structure to be complete, it is best
to ensure that each step is done correctly. It is far easi-
er, faster, and cheaper to take your time to ensure each
step is done correctly before moving on. There is no rem-
edy for an error other than a correction. Time and eort
will be put forth eventually to redo steps, reconstruct,
and make adjustments, but far less eort is required to
correct mistakes as they appear. If errors are xed im-
mediately, each subsequent step will begin correct and
projects will run more eciently.
It is recommended to completely install a test row from
beginning-to-end of the row, and from beginning-to-end
of all steps (from layout, to panel installation, and ad-
justments). This will help you understand not only how
to install the product, but understand how tolerances
stack up, how mistakes in one step cause errors in oth-
er steps, and how to make the adjustments required to
keep everything in tolerance and looking good.
NOTE
Foundation locations should be surveyed by a profes-
sional surveyor, who can stake out row locations to the
highest precision.
REVIEW & INSTALLATION PREPARATION
After site preparation has been completed and the site
surveying is done, the foundations are ready to be in-
stalled. It is the responsibility of the site lead to review
and understand the site foundation layout, surround-
ings, installation procedures, and to manage the instal-
lation to completion. Each project has dierent require-
ments (embedment depths, spans, etc.) that need to be
met according to site testing and data gathered prior to
the start of the project. The site lead must verify that
the foundations on site match the order and project re-
quirements.
Dimensions in the East-West direction will change de-
pending on row length, row location, and location with-
in the row. Closely follow the construction plans and if
there are any questions or discrepancies, bring them up
to the site lead or project manager before installing any
foundations.
UNEVEN GROUND
For sites with ungraded or rolling topography, it is im-
portant to ensure that the foundations are set to the
correct depths. In cases where post locations can not be
marked on the ground (uneven terrain), it is advised to
check the survey points with a steel tape measure.
MEASURING
All measurements in the East-West direction must be
made with a steel tape measure, and made from the
start of the row, not foundation-to-foundation. For ex-
ample, if the plans were to call for the rst 4 spans to
be 100” each, the tape should be staked to the ground,
and the ground should be marked at 0”, 100”, 200”, 300”,
400”.
Measuring from foundation-to-foundation allows tol-
erances to stack up. In this case, a 2” tolerance would
have stacked up to be 8” o by only the fth foundation,
and will cause major installation issues further down the
road. If necessary, tape measures should be marked pri-
or to use or prints should be marked up to indicate addi-
tive measurements (ie. 0”, 8’4”, 16’8”, 25’0”, 33’4”).
For Ready Rack systems, the North and South points
must remain in line with each other (one should not
“chase” the other). Ensure the points are square every
few sets by measuring diagonals. If marks are found to
be out of square, make adjustments to correct.
EQUAL
Measuring diagonals
100"
200"
300"
400"
PAGE 5 - INSTALLATION MANUAL
READY RACK
PRO TIP
1
PAGE 6 - INSTALLATION MANUAL
READY RACK
FOUNDATION INSTALLATION (HELICAL)
1. Attach the helicals to front (South) posts.
[1] HELICAL FOUNDATION
[3/4] FRONT (SOUTH)/REAR (NORTH) POST
[10] 3/8-16 SERRATED FLANGE NUT
[13] 3/8-16X2.75” SERRATED FLANGE BOLT
2. Drive the foundation with a single point, starting at
one end of the site. Ensure the foundation is held plumb
and in the proper location using a level.
3. Drive the foundation to the correct depth as indicated
by the construction documents. Also ensure the upper
bolt holes are rotated to align in the East-West direction.
4. Repeat further down the South side of the row with
another foundation to create the next transition point
for a string line, once again measuring and ensuring
plumbness. When topography is present, additional
transition posts must be installed at transition points so
that the string line can ow through hills and valleys at a
moderate rate. Although the racking will follow terrain,
it has limitations. Therefore, ensuring smooth ow will
greatly aid the installation process.
5. Run a string line between all foundations at the same
height. For consistency, string line should run along the
same side of the foundation for the entirety of the site.
For example, always wrap counterclockwise, then install
new foundations on the South side of the string. This
will help prevent zigzagging.
6. Ensure the heights of all posts are correct and ow
with the terrain in the method indicated in the construc-
tion documents.
7. Once the South side posts are installed, install the
North side posts by adjusting the height to the designed
tilt angle per foundation set (check the build plans for
the correct tilt angle). Use a steel guide and angle nder
to determine the tilt. Repeat the string method for the
North side posts.
NORTH
EAST
1”
1”
1” ±1”
Rotate so holes
align east/west
±2° Plumb
1”
PRO TIP
2
1
3/4
10
13
PRO TIP
3
Racking should conform to
the terrain
PAGE 7 - INSTALLATION MANUAL
READY RACK
NOTE
Check all survey points before pilot drilling.
FOUNDATION INSTALLATION (SCREW)
1. Preinstall the set bolts to ensure the integrity of the
welded nut.
2. Drive the foundation with a single point, starting at
one end of the site. The string line method is best for
ensuring a straight line and a perfect plane of the array.
Foundations are typically installed 6” above grade.
3. Ensure the foundation is held plumb and in the proper
location using a level.
4. Drive the foundation to the correct depth as indicated
by the construction documents.
5. Install all remaining foundations, using a string line
as a guide for placement and height if necessary. Use a
tape measure as described in the preparation process.
ALTERNATE FOUNDATION INSTALLATION
For sites with medium-to-heavy rock or bedrock, holes
may need to be piloted and backlled prior to founda-
tion install. When required, perform the following steps
prior to the steps above.
1. With an auger or rock drill, drill a pilot hole to correct
depth and diameter.
2. Fill the hole with stone as indicated by APA. The
amount of stone varies based on the site’s soil type.
POST INSTALLATION (SCREW ONLY)
1. Insert the front (South) post at the rst point on the
South set of foundations.
2. Measuring from the ground to the top of the post,
ensure the post is at the correct height according to the
construction documents. Also ensure the upper bolt
holes are rotated to align in the East-West direction.
Temporarily secure the post in place with a quick clamp
or similar tool.
3. Repeat further down the front (South) side of the row
with another foundation to create the next attachment
point for the string line, once again measuring and ensur-
ing plumbness. When topography is present, additional
transition posts must be installed at transition points so
that the string line can ow through hills and valleys at a
moderate rate. Although the racking will follow terrain,
it has limitations. Therefore, ensuring smooth ow will
greatly aid the installation process.
PRO TIP
4
NORTH
EAST
1”
1”
1” ±1”
Rotate so holes
align east/west
±2° Plumb
1”
PRO TIP
5
PRO TIP
6
PAGE 8 - INSTALLATION MANUAL
READY RACK
PRO TIP
7
POST INSTALLATION (SCREW ONLY - CONTINUED)
4. Continue to the end of the row as required to set a
string line.
5. Run a string line between all foundations at the same
height. For consistency, string line should run along the
same side of the foundation for the entirety of the site.
For example, always wrap counterclockwise, then install
new posts on the South side of the string. This will help
prevent zigzagging.
6. Ensure the heights of all posts are correct and ow
with the terrain in the method indicated in the construc-
tion documents.
7. Secure the transition posts at the foundations with
three (3) bolts and remove the temporary clamps.
[2] SCREW FOUNDATION
[3/4] FRONT (SOUTH)/REAR (NORTH) POST
[14] M16X2.0 25MM HEX BOLT (GROUND SCREW
SET BOLT)
8. Once heights are veried correct and rotation is
correct, bolts can be tightened. Every post should be
checked to ensure the bolts are fully seated.
9. Once the front (South) side posts are installed, set the
rear (North) side posts by adjusting the height to the
designed tilt angle per foundation set (check the build
plans for the correct tilt angle). Use a steel guide and an-
gle nder to determine the tilt. Repeat the string meth-
od for the rear (North) side posts.
Top view of post and fully tightened bolts
14
2
3/4
PAGE 9 - INSTALLATION MANUAL
READY RACK
TUBE CLAMP STAGING
1. Slide the tube clamps over both the rear (North) and
front (South) posts prior to attaching the N/S chord
or stretch the clamp apart, t it around the post, and
squeeze it back to its original shape. Refer to the con-
struction documents for the bracing requirements and
locations.
[18] TUBE CLAMP
[3/4] FRONT (SOUTH)/REAR (NORTH) POST
N/S CHORD-TO-POST
1. Attach the N/S chord to the West side of the posts.
Refer to the construction documents for the correct
hole locations.
[6] N/S CHORD
[3/4] FRONT (SOUTH)/REAR (NORTH) POST
[13] 3/8-16X2.75” SERRATED FLANGE BOLT
[10] 3/8-16 SERRATED FLANGE NUT
FINE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
1. Sighting down a row, looking from East or West, look
for inconsistencies in the heights of the racking. Adjust
the height by removing the N/S chord hardware and ad-
justing the height using the adjustment holes before re-
attaching the hardware.
E/W STRUT PURLIN-TO-N/S CHORD
1. Bolt the E/W strut purlin to the N/S chord using the
correct hole location per the construction documents.
[7] E/W STRUT PURLIN
[12] 3/8-16X1.00” SERRATED FLANGE BOLT
[11] 3/8-16 CHANNEL NUT
18
3/4
6
10
3/4
13
7
12
11
Use slots to adjust N/S chord
upwards or downwards
PAGE 10 - INSTALLATION MANUAL
READY RACK
E/W STRUT PURLIN SPLICE
1. Connect two E/W strut purlins by using the splice to
make a continuous rail. Stagger the location of the splic-
es between foundations to reduce sagging.
[16] STRUT SPLICE
[10] 3/8-16 SERRATED FLANGE NUT
[12] 3/8-16X1.00” SERRATED FLANGE BOLT
2. Ensure the bottom or southern most E/W strut purlin
is straight by adjusting it in the slot or by moving the
N/S chord. Once visually straight, fasten down. Use
spacers (scrap wood, scrap metal, etc.) to set the re-
maining E/W strut purlins to keep even spacing per the
construction documents.
CROSS BRACE TUBE INSTALLATION
1. Install the cross brace tube at the lower location on
the rear (North) post and at the upper location on the
front (South) post. Check the construction documents
for the appropriate placement and tolerences.
[5] CROSS BRACE TUBE
[15] TUBE CLAMP BOLT
12
10 16
Use temporary
spacers between E/W
strut purlins to main-
tain even spacing
during install
15
5
PRO TIP
8
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