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11-08-2014, 06:25 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
Irvine
, California
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 9
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Adhesives for mounting flexible solar panels
Are adhesives preferred over drilling holes for mounting 100w flexible solar panels?
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11-08-2014, 06:35 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
2007 20' Safari SE
2005 19' Safari
Qualicum Beach
, British Columbia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rpmd
Are adhesives preferred over drilling holes for mounting 100w flexible solar panels?
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So who wants to go first?
George
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11-08-2014, 07:55 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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Since no one is answering I'll make a guess. Assuming that your mounting them on the roof of the trailer, remember every hole becomes a possible future leak point. On the other hand. I would make sure I used an adhesive that can be removed at a later time with a solvent.
Ken
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11-08-2014, 08:29 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
2007 20' Safari SE
2005 19' Safari
Qualicum Beach
, British Columbia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
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If by adhesive you mean a special tape like 3M makes for this purpose (VHB)then yes. It is not necessary to use screws and just provides a new place for leaks.
George
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11-08-2014, 08:39 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
Commercial Member
2009 30' Classic
Melbourne, FL
, Searsport, ME
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 309
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Put out a PM to Lewster. You can search for him on Air Forums or check out some of his posts. He can give you the correct ones to use since he's probably done a hundred solar panel installations. I do know he recommends never drilling holes.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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11-08-2014, 08:39 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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OK..........here's do what I do. Any adhesive that comes off with a solvent will not be strong enough to keep the panels on the roof.......
3M-VHB tape and SikaFlex 221 in grey....unless you have a white roof........then use 221 in white! They WILL NOT come off and will follow the roof contour nicely too!!!!
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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11-08-2014, 09:59 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Sigh. I don't trust adhesives that much. Ours is up there with rivets and sealant under, over, around and through. No leaks detected.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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11-08-2014, 10:08 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmkrum
Sigh. I don't trust adhesives that much. Ours is up there with rivets and sealant under, over, around and through. No leaks detected.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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There's always a plus side. If it starts leaking, you can get another identical trailer and mount its shell on top of yours and have a two story.
Ken
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11-08-2014, 10:24 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Park City
, Utah
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 27
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I have a 140 watt (none flexible panel) mounted on my 25FB with 3m vhb tape. It isn't going anywhere.
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11-08-2014, 10:29 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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We live in the CA desert. AS is stored in a lot of high altitude sunshine. I've had all kinds of plastic or rubber stuff just quietly de-polymerize and fall apart. It's a major problem around here. Aluminum is immune to this, and I can always clean and apply more sealant to the brackets and rivets.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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11-09-2014, 07:38 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmkrum
We live in the CA desert. AS is stored in a lot of high altitude sunshine. I've had all kinds of plastic or rubber stuff just quietly de-polymerize and fall apart. It's a major problem around here. Aluminum is immune to this, and I can always clean and apply more sealant to the brackets and rivets.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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TRUST THE FORCE............of VHB tape!
I would think that after AM SOLAR has installed thousands of solar panels exclusively with 3M VHB tape and a covering sealant (they use Dicor, I use SikaFlex ) that the proof is out there. It is also used extensively in the auto and truck industry as a bonding agent for attaching things like door skins and roofs. THEY DON'T COME OFF EITHER!!!!
I have never put a screw into an AM Solar mounting foot when they have been installed on a proper roof substrate, and never will. Still waiting to hear about a lost panel. They just DON"T come off when properly installed!!
You're trailer......you're holes.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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11-09-2014, 07:52 AM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
2011 30' Classic
2007 25' International CCD
1993 32' Excella
Largo
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 355
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Lewster,
Could you please be more specific about the application or use of the "covering sealant"?
Thanks,
>>ron<<
__________________
2015 GMC Denali 2500, 4x4, Duramax diesel, Topper, Pro Pride 3 P, Sendel 16" with Michelin LTs, one Yellow Labrador Retriever (AS security)
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11-09-2014, 09:16 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
Mississauga
, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,234
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The flexible panels I installed came with an adhesive on the backside with a paper peel.
Peel the paper stick it down and done.
Al
__________________
Al and Jean
TAC ON-3
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11-09-2014, 09:21 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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First, surface preparation is key. If using SikaFlex, NEVER use alcohol !! Use mineral spirits, carb/brake cleaner, etc.
Once the surface is prepped, you can stick down the VHB tape. Apply some pressure to set.
I then run a small bead if SikaFlex around the panel foot base and cover the 2 holes in the base. These are for screws used when mounting on any surface that is not smooth.
Use a gloved finger to smooth the SikaFlex around the edges and over the top. You're now done! The SikaFlex is a great sealant and also is a little extra insurance as it has great bonding and adhesive properties.
For flex panels, use small squares of VHB to stick the panels down and then seal the entire edge with SikaFlex.
Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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11-09-2014, 11:50 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Sigh. Our panels did not come with tape. So we got to drill holes in a shiny new to us roof.
Lester, If I add more panels, I'll try it your way. At very least it would be easier to line up. We struggled to get rivets, sealant and brackets in the right spot on that slippery roof.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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11-09-2014, 01:51 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmkrum
Sigh. Our panels did not come with tape. So we got to drill holes in a shiny new to us roof.
Lester, If I add more panels, I'll try it your way. At very least it would be easier to line up. We struggled to get rivets, sealant and brackets in the right spot on that slippery roof.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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You just need to more selective about where you buy your equipment.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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11-09-2014, 01:54 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Was my son's purchase and I just helped him install the setup. Dunno where he bought it. It does work quite nicely. Only issue is panel is a bit too far forward to put a cover over the front Fantastic Fan like he did on the rear one.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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07-02-2016, 08:08 PM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
2011 27 FB International
Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 228
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
First, surface preparation is key. If using SikaFlex, NEVER use alcohol !! Use mineral spirits, carb/brake cleaner, etc.
Once the surface is prepped, you can stick down the VHB tape. Apply some pressure to set.
For flex panels, use small squares of VHB to stick the panels down and then seal the entire edge with SikaFlex.
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A couple questions on this.
When cleaning a surface with mineral spirits, can you apply vhb immediately after (assuming dry) or do you wait for some period of time?
For flex panels (yes I understand the opinions/issues with them) you suggested small squares of vhb. I was going to do the entire edges with half inch vhb, is that overkill? Seeing (on the intertubes) much heavier glass panels mounted with 5" brackets and vhb, it feels like it is unnecessary to run vhb the entire length of all four sides. Sikaflex 221 will be used on the edges and screw holes.
Do you do anything to prep the backside of the panels themselves?
My panels btw are 24v 135watt, I plan to run 2 in series/2 parallel to get 48volts, that should bring my loss down to 1-2% over 10 gauge.
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07-02-2016, 11:12 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mixedpuppy
A couple questions on this.
When cleaning a surface with mineral spirits, can you apply vhb immediately after (assuming dry) or do you wait for some period of time?
For flex panels (yes I understand the opinions/issues with them) you suggested small squares of vhb. I was going to do the entire edges with half inch vhb, is that overkill? Seeing (on the intertubes) much heavier glass panels mounted with 5" brackets and vhb, it feels like it is unnecessary to run vhb the entire length of all four sides. Sikaflex 221 will be used on the edges and screw holes.
Do you do anything to prep the backside of the panels themselves?
My panels btw are 24v 135watt, I plan to run 2 in series/2 parallel to get 48volts, that should bring my loss down to 1-2% over 10 gauge.
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Not a bad plan.......what are you using for a solar charge controller?????
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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07-03-2016, 12:51 PM
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#20
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3 Rivet Member
2011 27 FB International
Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 228
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
Not a bad plan.......what are you using for a solar charge controller?????
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A Tracer 4215bn mppt.
Really curious though about the vbh use, if I should go all around the edges or just use a few squares.
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