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
Do not use galvanised steel brackets. They will probably rust in the end and make rusty marks. If they are in contact with an aluminium frame on the solar panel they will make a nice battery and corrode the aluminium. Use aluminium brackets and aluminium pop rivets to fix them to an aluminium panel frame. Your roof may not be flat, so drill the brackets and mark the frame in situ, then remove and drill the frame.
I know this is an older thread but I was wondering how your solar panel installation went. I've just bought a campervan with a Reimo fibreglass roof (1990 Mercedes 208d Reimo conversion) and I want to fit our 100w solar panel from our old van. I wasn't too keen on the idea of drilling through the nice and tidy roof!
I know this is an older thread but I was wondering how your solar panel installation went. I've just bought a campervan with a Reimo fibreglass roof (1990 Mercedes 208d Reimo conversion) and I want to fit our 100w solar panel from our old van. I wasn't too keen on the idea of drilling through the nice and tidy roof!
Hope yours was a success!
Hello and welcome to MHF
The info re fitting is still valid, use some aluminium brackets to raise the panel from the roof, you do need an air gap about 50mm will allow you to clean underneath and also allow cable exit from underneath if an option on your existing panel, no need to drill the roof if you fix brackets with Sikaflex 512 to the roof then you should be able to fix panel so it can be removed, warm the tube up if doing the work below 18 C
Use heavy duty cable suitable for exposure to UV and also high temperatures, don't use thin PVC cables
Thanks. We have the brackets for our solar panel and used heavy duty outdoor cable last time.
I'd never heard of this sikaflex 512 before- it sounds great and I'll definitly be getting a tube and using it. Did you use it yourself on your installation?
Drill some holes in the bracket feet so when you push it down to the roof the sikka squeezes up through the holes, spit on your finger and mushroom the blobs and leave to cure.
Thanks. We have the brackets for our solar panel and used heavy duty outdoor cable last time.
I'd never heard of this sikaflex 512 before- it sounds great and I'll definitly be getting a tube and using it. Did you use it yourself on your installation?
Yes, it is used extensively in the trade for such jobs
I would also screw the feet to the roof. There is a lot of windage under the panel when travelling at 50 to 60 mph and its a big panel.
Play safe, screw and stick. Just imagine the possible damage if it came of when in motion.
Believe me if the adhesive doesn't work the screws have a snowballs chance in hell in comparison. A good size footprint for the brackets/adhesive is the key. As previously mentioned be sure to pack the panel up so the adhesive is a few mm thick between bracket and roof. (no screws in mine)
I took the easy route and had mine fitted at a Motorhome show by an electrician.
He only used Sikaflex (no screws) and an aluminium extrusion that came with the panel. Then, as shown in the photo that was in an earlier response, he ran the cable a short distance to an appropriate point where it was hidden from view on the inside of the van. Then sealed the one hole he made, again using Sikaflex. I chose an electrician so that he could connect the essential solar panel control unit into my existing system.
Good Luck!
Alan
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 2 of 2Goto page Previous1, 2
UK
