Fitted myself

[ianrm]

maybe the wrong terms, dunno. but stopping air getting underneath to try and stop the panel lifting seems a good idea to me.
Seen how plywood strapped to a roof rack starts to pull up when the vehicle starts to speed up? best to avoid that, no?

I may fit a strip across the front to direct air flow over the panel.

 

[GMLS]

Response to ianrm post nr 19 "The suggestion to use ali brackets is then to also mechanically fix them down"

 

[Sandancers]

Hi, yes a fairly fine grit blade, abrading all the bottom [ mating face ] of all the brackets used to take away the shiny surface finish.
The mounting brackets footprints on the roof were marked, taped off, then hand abraded with a fairly course paper, again to take away that shiny finish that's unlikely to give good adhesion. All surfaces treated with acetone before applying 522 adhesive.
I understand that some plastics contain oils that are not conducive to a good bond, hence "belt and braces" and using some ally brackets as well. It's a personal choice, the O.P. and many others may well be very happy with their finished project, and it may well not be a problem, but from on line content I have read if any brackets ever let go it's always those plastic ones.
I contacted the supplier of the kit I purchased and asked the best procedure for fixing down to a motorhome roof. His response was, " Oh we've never used them for that, their designed for flat roofs of a building!! " Which was never flagged up at the time of my purchase.
Mike.

Did you read my thread about fixing down solar panels where I spoke to a technical geezer at Sikaflex about fixing down solar panels ?

 

[Lenny HB]

I can still only see one battery out on that controller

That's normal, there are only a few controllers that are dual output.

 

[Hoovie]

Response to ianrm post nr 19 "The suggestion to use ali brackets is then to also mechanically fix them down"

I like the Renogy "Z Brackets" for fixing panels. always found them good. I try where ever possible to fit the panels onto rails/struts/call them what you like that I fit down each side of the vehicle or onto roof rack systems. Very secure and also very easy to maintain and adapt the installation.

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[MisterB]

This is a confusing thread .....I'm my mind at no point does an alloy or plastic bracket come into contact with the roof. It's whatever method of fixing whichever brackets you use that will determine whether the solar panel will stay on or not.
The larger the surface area of the correct adhesive being used and its ability to adhere to both surfaces (ie bracket and roof) appears to be the critical factor .....

 

[Sandancers]

This is a confusing thread .....I'm my mind at no point does an alloy or plastic bracket come into contact with the roof. It's whatever method of fixing whichever brackets you use that will determine whether the solar panel will stay on or not.
The larger the surface area of the correct adhesive being used and its ability to adhere to both surfaces (ie bracket and roof) appears to be the critical factor .....

Yes, but I think some people are saying that the white plastic mounts which are made from ABS are inherently likely to not take a good bond from Sika 522 or similar adhesives.

 

[Hoovie]

The key ( ) question is how good is each 'layer' at adhering to the next?

Top to bottom, people think "Bracket/Mount" - "Adhesive" - "Roof". But apart from the questions asked about the Bracket or Mount, what about the Roof?
For example, if a PVC, you will have "Bracket/Mount" - "Adhesive" - "Paint" - "Primer" - "Metal". And we all know how well some of the paintwork sticks to Ducatos and Sprinters!

 

[gus-lopez]

You strip the roof paint,on whatever vehicle type, down to bare metal/aluminium where the adhesive is being used

 

[Hoovie]

You strip the roof paint,on whatever vehicle type, down to bare metal/aluminium where the adhesive is being used

Just how many people do that?
What SHOULD be done is not the same as what IS done.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Did you read my thread about fixing down solar panels where I spoke to a technical geezer at Sikaflex about fixing down solar panels ?

Possibly, but I read quite a bit before taking on the task. The gist of your thread was ?
Mike.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Yes, but I think some people are saying that the white plastic mounts which are made from ABS are inherently likely to not take a good bond from Sika 522 or similar adhesives.

Of as much concern to me was, upon inspection of the base of the plastic brackets the actual contact surface area was only about 25/30mm wide. My home made ally brackets had 3 x times as much surface area,which gave me more reassurance than relying solely on the supplied brackets.
There probably isn't a definitive method, as home brew mechanics we make our own decisions. For my part I was grateful the forum pointed out that there was a potential problem with plastic too plastic fixing. I preferred not having to resort to mechanically fixing down the brackets.
Mike.

 

[Sandancers]

Possibly, but I read quite a bit before taking on the task. The gist of your thread was ?
Mike.

Post #16

Sticking down solar panels.

The last details I now need to consider for fitting of the solar panel involve finding the correct adhesive to fix down the supports for the solar panel. I DO NOT want to use any screw fixings into the roof of the MH at all. Having been aware that many people use Sikaflex I tried...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[stevewagner]

I have fitted solar panels on quite a few of my motorhomes without any mechanical fixings. I always prepare the surfaces and wipe with sikaflex cleaner. The first time I did it I wasn’t happy with the amount of adhesive that was squeezed out when pressing down the brackets to the roof. I lifted the panel while still wet and placed some tile spacers in the wet area and added more adhesive and then applied pressure. This ensured pleanty of adhesive stayed in place. Since then I’ve done them all the same way and never had an issue.

 

[Stealaway]

That's normal, there are only a few controllers that are dual output.

I could only see the one battery out but he said he had connected to both batteries.

It is connected to the leisure and the starter Battery.

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[Lenny HB]

I could only see the one battery out but he said he had connected to both batteries.

I think he meant both leisure batteries.

 

[Slopey]

With a little help from my work mates Solar Power ️ up and Running

Would you have a note of the dimensions of the panel? I'm interested in that kit, or similar, but want to work out if I have the space for it (or if there'll be enough space to fit an additional panel in the future).

 

[ianrm]

Would you have a note of the dimensions of the panel? I'm interested in that kit, or similar, but want to work out if I have the space for it (or if there'll be enough space to fit an additional panel in the future).

1.32m x 1m

 

[Slopey]

Many thanks

 

[ianrm]

I have added brackets to the front now so it is sealed all across the front making the air flow over and not under the panel.
I unscrewed and removed the panel to fit the extra brackets and gave the brackets I bonded two weeks ago a good tug and they felt very solid.
I will however make some little brackets to connect the panel to the roof bar that’s goes across the front just for some extra security just in case.

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