Welcome to Motorhomefacts, we are a thriving motorhome community (Largest in Europe). Why Not JOIN NOW and get instant access to more of the website. It costs nothing to join and only takes a few minutes. We have 200,000 different people visiting our site monthly and this amount of motorhomers in one place guarantees a fast response to any questions you may have. We also have unique facilities not found elsewhere such as our Online Logbook, stopover tracker, Motorhome directory with Ebay type feedback and the largest repository of motorhome campsites reviews found anywhere
I have tried to search this Forum for answers but I have not found answers!
I am about to fit a GB Sol 70Watt Flexi solar panel to my Rapido MH.
Please advise how is best to drill a hole through the roof. After making the correct measurements etc how close to the roof edge should I drill? Should I drill from the top of the roof or from inside the MH. What size of drill should I use? I will be using a recommended gland sealed again with Sikaflex so hopefully should be watertight.
I do not wish to make this a permanent fixture as is normal with this type of Flexi Panel, so the idea that I have is to place a number of thin spacers (3mm M 16 Nylon washers) on the perimeter of the panel and use Sikaflex 221 as adhesive. If and when I wish to remove the panel when changing MH I will use a cheese wire pulled around the washers and cut through the Sikaflex adhesive. What do members think of that idea.
Lots of questions all help will be appreciated Thanks
I drilled a 3/4" hole in the roof of my van about 8" in from the side. Carefully place to avoid drilling into anything below. The hole size allowed the cables to bend over the upper cupboards without undue kinking. I used a cable entry cover as well.
My panels were secured with brackets bolted to the panel and the brackets glued (only) to the roof with Sikaflex 512.
______________________________________________________________ Norman ´n´ Liz
Moving on
The most important factor now that you have covered the sealing of the hole (Sikaflex and gland) is where do you want the hole to come out. Whether you drill from the inside or outside is not important although once having checked the geography, drilling from the inside is preferable (although not always possible) as the hole will be exactly where you want it to be; inside a cupboard or adjacent trunking. The roof outside will generally require a flat spot for the gland. A final ideal will leave the hole fairly close to the solar panel avoiding too much cable flapping about and weathering in the sunlight.
It is best not to drill too many holes looking for a good spot!
Alan
Hi altom,
have you done it yet? and how did you get on? I`m just waiting for the roof gland to turn up then i shall be embarking on the same solar panel fitting job & was going to ask the same question but you got there first.
If you`ve done it what drill did you use?
Hope it worked out for you.
To answer your question I have not had the time to do the job so far!!!. I have all the bits and pieces and will be using the Gland and Sikaflex 221 a controller and a ammeter! I have taken some back panels out in order to hide the wiring. Waiting now for a nice and dry weekend. I will try and drill from the inside about 3 or 4 ins in from the corner but inside one of the cupboards. I will start it with a pilot hole with a small 4mm metal drill bit and then go up in size to the same diameter plus a 1mm of that of the cable. Hope that will be ok. Idea is to sikaflex the cable also in position to avoid any chance of moisture going inside the MH. The above replies are certainly very helpful
I am surprised that I have had no more replies to my post. but thanks to all that have contributed
IMHO there is nothing to be gained in drilling a small hole as you are going to not only seal it with the cable through it but install a grommet over it too.
I find it best to use at least a 10mm drill or even a 14mm holesaw.
The objective being to get through the outer skin and then STOP remove the piece of outer skin (grp&plywood or whatever yours is made of) then you will have exposed the polystyrene inner of the sandwich. You can now probe this with a suitable tool (screwdriver) clearing the way to the inner skin. You will now have established for certain whether there are any wires in the way inside the roof section. If all clear then carry on.
Equally you can do the same from inside if there is room for the drill
Just picked up the last two posts The idea of drilling and then seeing if there are any thing in the way Techno 100 sounds an excellent idea. Never thought of that of course!
Right Eddie the Mfg year of the rapido 786f It is a 2003 model...Would that have the wiring installed I have not seen any indication but I have not really looked. It would be great if it was!1
Now that's telling me!!!...Yes I should have. I normally do, and I have done it many times on previous posts. However on this post I have been at fault, Hands up I have not pressed the Thanks button ..an apology all round. I will do it now!
alun
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
All times are GMT + 1 Hour Page 1 of 2Goto page 1, 2Next
France
