Mounting Sub Panel W/Unistrut?

[01Bullitt82]

Im trying to mount my 125 amp 12/24 sub panel in my steel building. I wanted to use unistrut to mount it. However I dont want to just screw the unistrut to the front of the beams, because I want the sub panel to set as far back towards the wall as possible. What is the best L bracket to mount my unistrut like the picture into the side of the steal beam?

What would be cleanest way to mount my unistrut like this?

 

[dave*99]

Perhaps this at each end?

 

[dcg9381]

Im trying to mount my 125 amp 12/24 sub panel in my steel building. I wanted to use unistrut to mount it. However I dont want to just screw the unistrut to the front of the beams, because I want the sub panel to set as far back towards the wall as possible. What is the best L bracket to mount my unistrut like the picture into the side of the steal beam?

What would be cleanest way to mount my unistrut like this?

Home depot sells these:

 

[01Bullitt82]

Those brackets are to connect unistrut to unistrut, correct? So I wound have to screw a vertical piece of unistrut to the side of that beam?

The holes in those L bracket are 1/2" and I dont want to drill half inch holes into the side of that beam. I was hoping to use a couple trax screws into the side of the beam, but hoping nothing bigger.

 

[dcg9381]

Those brackets are to connect unistrut to unistrut, correct? So I wound have to screw a vertical piece of unistrut to the side of that beam?

Yes, but they can be bought in hole sizes less than 1/2". I'd just use a sheet metal screw on the beam, or put a bolt through the beam.

 

[whateg01]

Use a big washer. Also, that doesn't look like an I beam in the photo. It looks like a tube. Connecting to the edge of an I beam flange is different

 

[dscheidt]

Those brackets are to connect unistrut to unistrut, correct?

They're for connecting strut to stuff. That includes other strut, but also framing and all sorts of other things. if you use a smaller fastener, you use a fender washer. It's usual to mount this to strut with 1/4 or 3/8 hardware, the 1/2" hole gives you some wiggle room.

 

[bluedog225]

Lots of ways to skin the cat. You can put vertical strut on each piece of metal tubing. Backside facing the tubing. And secured in place with tech screws at various places in opposite ends of the slots so holding in place. Use as many as you think is needed

Then run your horizontal strut between with a little L brackets, and strut nuts. The strut nuts and bolts will go into the strut. 1/4 or 3/8. As many horizontal as you feel are needed, but I suspect two would be adequate and keep the panel vertical.

 

[01Bullitt82]

Lots of ways to skin the cat. You can put vertical strut on each piece of metal tubing. Backside facing the tubing. And secured in place with tech screws at various places in opposite ends of the slots so holding in place. Use as many as you think is needed

Then run your horizontal strut between with a little L brackets, and strut nuts. The strut nuts and bolts will go into the strut. 1/4 or 3/8. As many horizontal as you feel are needed, but I suspect two would be adequate and keep the panel vertical.

Do you mean run it vertically on the sides of those beams, facing each other, then using Ls so I can run the horizontal strut?

If this is what your referring to, I did think of that, but was hoping there was a way to not have to use as much unistrut. If I have to go vertical and horizontal, thats twice as much unistrut.

If that's the cleanest way, I might have too.

 

[whateg01]

Do you mean run it vertically on the sides of those beams, facing each other, then using Ls so I can run the horizontal strut?

If this is what your referring to, I did think of that, but was hoping there was a way to not have to use as much unistrut. If I have to go vertical and horizontal, thats twice as much unistrut.

If that's the cleanest way, I might have too.

First, how strapped for cash are you that you can't spare 3 more feet of unistrut? How far between columns, or as you called them I-beams? Unistrut often comes in 10' sticks.

If you don't want to run vertical sections of unistrut to attach the horizontal sections to, do as others have already suggested and stick you L brackets on the side of whatever the hell is going up and down and bolt the horizontal sections to it.

This really isn't rocket science!

 

[Firebrick43]

Im trying to mount my 125 amp 12/24 sub panel in my steel building. I wanted to use unistrut to mount it. However I dont want to just screw the unistrut to the front of the beams, because I want the sub panel to set as far back towards the wall as possible. What is the best L bracket to mount my unistrut like the picture into the side of the steal beam?

What would be cleanest way to mount my unistrut like this?

We always used P3087 or P3088 for in between columns like that. Depends on size of unistrut.



If you use the 90 degree brackets that @dcg9381 listed above you can use them still if you drill a few holes into the side of your buildings post without having to attach a vertical piece of unistrut.

 

[whateg01]

We always used P3087 or P3088 for in between columns like that. Depends on size of unistrut.

I don't think op really has i-beams. If he tries to stick those on the sides of his posts, he might have trouble keeping the posts from spreading when any force is applied. If he does have i-beams, those would work but he'd have to use more unistrut

 

[Firebrick43]

I don't think op really has i-beams. If he tries to stick those on the sides of his posts, he might have trouble keeping the posts from spreading when any force is applied. If he does have i-beams, those would work but he'd have to use more unistrut

We used them in between square tubing before, Worked fine. The points bite in and hold on the dimple created. He surely has girts and tin that are screwed to the post to keep them from spreading. If worried hit the spots with a large center punch and 2 lbs hammer first to create a dimple without so much pushing force.

 

[whateg01]

We used them in between square tubing before, Worked fine. The points bite in and hold on the dimple created. He surely has girts and tin that are screwed to the post to keep them from spreading. If worried hit the spots with a large center punch and 2 lbs hammer first to create a dimple without so much pushing force.

With the lack of understanding that op seems to have about how to use a simple L bracket, I think that might all be above his skill level. Not trying to discourage op from learning but this might end up just frustrating him

 

[01Bullitt82]

First, how strapped for cash are you that you can't spare 3 more feet of unistrut? How far between columns, or as you called them I-beams? Unistrut often comes in 10' sticks.

If you don't want to run vertical sections of unistrut to attach the horizontal sections to, do as others have already suggested and stick you L brackets on the side of whatever the hell is going up and down and bolt the horizontal sections to it.

This really isn't rocket science!

Im not super strapped for cash, but the cost of the building is adding up, so wherever I can save money, I will try. The beams are roughly 5ft apart.

Your right, its not rocket science, but it doesnt hurt to ask people that have more experience then me for ideas.

I just wanted to see if anyone had any better ways of doing it.

 

[WildBill]

I did that using cheap beefy right angle brackets with smaller holes, and drilled out the two for the unistrut. Then used metal screws for the ones going to the framing.

 

[bluedog225]

Do you mean run it vertically on the sides of those beams, facing each other, then using Ls so I can run the horizontal strut?

If this is what your referring to, I did think of that, but was hoping there was a way to not have to use as much unistrut. If I have to go vertical and horizontal, thats twice as much unistrut.

If that's the cleanest way, I might have too.

Yes.

I’ve noticed with strut, you end up needing more sticks than you would think. It’s dependent on how many and what size holes you can tolerate in your square tubing.

Though your left and right strut would only need to be a long as the vertical separation between your horizontal strut.

 

[matt_i]

I could be wrong but my eye says that's the 1/2 height strut 13/16" tall. Not very rigid for a 5ft span. If I'm correct, I would go with full height 1-5/8" strut channel. 12ga for the win.