ZOMEWORKS UTRF-Series Track Racks™ Assembly Instructions 1011A Sawmill Road NW, PO Box 25805, Albuquerque, NM 87125 USA (505) 242-5354 / (800) 279-6342 / FAX (505) 243-5187 E-mail: zomework@zomeworks.
Thanks! Thank you for your purchase of a Zomeworks Track Rack™. The Zomeworks Track Rack is an ingenious and economical way to increase the annual output of photovoltaic modules by an average of 25% over those mounted on a fixed array. Tracker Operation The Track Rack™ changes its orientation to the sun by shifting a mass of refrigerant between canisters on the east and west sides through a copper tube located at the southern-most end of the canisters.
Part Names 1) Gimbal 2) Axle Tube 3) Seasonal Adj.
UTRF-168 • • • Schedule 40 – 8” nominal Heavier steel pipe (sch 80 or sch 120) can be used as long as outer diameter is 6.625” or 8.625” respectively. Using the chart provided below, find the MINIMUM acceptable pole height above your finished grade. The suggested pole heights will provide approximately 3' of ground clearance with the largest module arrays installed. It is strongly recommended that the pole height meet our minimum specifications.
3/8” ALL-THREAD ROD CAN BE INSTALLED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESISTANCE TO UPLIFT AND TWIST. THIS MAY ALSO BE A REQUIREMENT OF THE PERMITTING AUTHORITY. • • With Gimbal oriented properly (set bolts pointed true south), use pre-drilled 7/16” holes as a guide to drill through the pipe on both sides. Slide the all-thread through the Gimbal and pipe, using two 3/8” hex nuts on both sides to fix it in place.
Installing Seasonal Adjustment Arm • • • • Bolt Seasonal Adjustment Arm to Axle and Gimbal as shown. Notice holes are offset to one side – the “thin” side faces the Gimbal. For the purpose of installing subsequent components, set axle to 7.5 degree tilt. After final assembly and adjustment, tighten bolts to 75 ft-lbs. Bumper Bolt Installation • • • • • The Bumper Bolt Assembly consists of a 1”-8 x 6” hex bolt, a Ø2-1/2” x 4-1/2” rubber bumper, and a 1” hex jam nut.
• • • • bushing and axle end cap. Tighten set screws. Refer to the drawing provided with the instruction packet or to the table below. The required dimension is the center-to-center distance between the two Truss Tubes. UTRF-064 42 3/4” UTRF-090 62 3/4” UTRF-120, UTRF-168 74 3/4” Slide second Truss Tube on to the south end of the Axle. Using a tape measure, space the southern Truss Tube so that the center-to-center distance (as measured from the square tube sections) is correct. Tighten set screws.
• • • of the tabs facing towards the middle of the rack. On the UTRF-090 the Slider tab will point towards the outside. See drawing. Bolts should be tight enough to clamp securely on to the Truss Tube without crushing the square tube wall. With bolts adequately pre-loaded, tighten jam nuts. Extruded Rail Sliders will be aligned and tightened in a later step.
• • Before fully tightening bolts, align the rack visually to remove any twist and by measuring across the diagonals as shown. This will make the rails and modules easier to install. With rack aligned, tighten bolts. * - Some rack configurations (UTRF-064, UTRF-090 only) come with a Protector Angle. This is a long section of steel angle that spans between both canisters and protects the copper tube when rail length is insufficient to do so. If this is provided with your rack, install it now.
the 3/8” slot facing the outside edge of the Rail Slider, and either the 1/4” or 5/16” slot on top (depending on hardware used) – mark a line. Pre-Installing Mounting Hardware • Now that the Extruded Rails have been marked, slide the provided module mounting hardware (1/4” or 5/16” x 5/8” hex bolts) into the tracks at the approximate mounting locations. It is only necessary to locate the bolts in the general area of the module frame holes – this will make the installation of the modules easier.
Shock Absorber Installation • • • • • • • • Depending on the specific model and options, rack will come with 2 or 4 Shock Absorbers. Note: These shocks are very stiff. To extend the shock for mounting, it may be necessary to bolt the upper end of the shock to the rack and hang on the bottom to get it to extend. Shocks have a number written in white on them. The higher numbers should be installed on the east side of the Shock Mounting Arm(s). This will improve wake-up times.
Installing Shadow Plates • • • Shadow Plates come in four pieces (2 pieces on UTRF-064). The plate that has a Zomeworks sticker is designed to be installed on the NE corner of the rack. Install the Shadow Plates so that the ends of the plates are even with the ends of the Canisters and they overlap by approximately 2” in the middle. Using the 1/4” roundhead bolts, lock washers, and wide flat washers provided, install as shown.
• • • If the tracker is not going through the full travel range, raise the Counterweight. Keeping the Counterweight low will make the tracker more stable in wind. Provided that additional stability is not required for gusty winds, the optimal Counterweight position results in the Truss Tube lightly touching the Bumper Bolt at the beginning and end of the day (when all Freon has been shifted).
PROPER MAINTENANCE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER! HIGH WINDS: Trackers should be tied in horizontal position if high-wind events are anticipated. The Storm Collar can be used in conjunction with tie-down straps or the Locking Bar can be used. EXTREME COLD: In cold weather the fluid in the shocks thickens and can increase wake-up times. In very cold temperatures (< -10F°), trackers may cease to track.
without the shocks, they may be defective. IMPORTANT: Do not leave the tracker defenseless without shocks – a strong wind could easily damage it. The rack can easily be tied down by using the Storm Collar and customer-provided tie-downs or ratchet straps. • TRACKER DOES NOT HIT THE BUMPER STOPS 1. Trackers are very effective even if they don't track all the way to the bumper stop. The bumper stops are set for approximately 90° of rotation. 2. To increase the amount of rotation, raise the counterweight.
Some problems can be solved with a simple on-site adjustment. Please contact Zomeworks Corporation at the address and phone number below before returning your product. You must have an RMA number to return the product for warranty repair. If possible, return only the parts that are defective or damaged. Reuse your original packing material, if it's available, or call the factory for further instructions.
