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05-05-2016, 03:57 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
1977 28' Argosy 28
Mission Viejo
, California
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 79
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No drill solar panel mounts SikaFlex-221 or 3M THB tape?
i am planning to mount solar panels to the top of my 1977 argosy 28 motorhome using no drill mounts design for RVs and boats. These require industrial adhesive. i'm debating whether to use SikaFlex 215 or 3M THB double-sided tape. Both have excellent reputations for permanent adhesion. The SikaFlex and other similar industrial adhesive's are used to hold windows onto the side of skyscrapers. The THB double-sided tape is used by car manufacturers to hold anything from trim to body parts. Either is recommended for my application. Just wondered if any of you have a preference and/or experience and why? Thanks.
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05-05-2016, 04:08 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Resident solar expert Lew is a big fan of the tape.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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05-05-2016, 04:54 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2016 28' Flying Cloud
Brandenburg
, Kentucky
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 898
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Just completed the install of a solar system from AM Solar and the supplied feet have the 3m tape preinstalled and it was recommended, and I followed their recommendation, and purchase 1 tube of Sikaflex 221 to augment the tape and to seal the screw holes that are in the feet and around the edges. Nothing better than additional failsafe.
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05-05-2016, 04:59 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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No drill solar panel mounts SikaFlex-221 or 3M THB tape?
Just don't clean with alcohol if you use Sikaflex. Lew advises against it.
He uses VHB tape on the foot then seals over it with Sikaflex.
Sent from my pocket Internet 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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05-05-2016, 05:15 PM
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#5
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Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
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I vote for properly applied vhb
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05-05-2016, 06:06 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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VHB tape AND SikaFlex. Carb cleaner or mineral spirits ONLY for surface prep. Also clean the tops of the rocker foot mounts.
The SikaFlex 221 serves 2 purposes after the VHB is stuck down:
1. It provides a secondary bond along with the VHB
2. It acts as a waterproof barrier to keep the VHB dry.
I've never lost a panel using this method!! 😃
Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
ABYC Certified Master Marine Electrician
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center*AMS Lithium Batteries
Lifeline AGM Batteries**Magnum Inverters***Victron Energy Components
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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05-05-2016, 07:26 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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No drill solar panel mounts SikaFlex-221 or 3M THB tape?
Thanks for chiming in Lew, I couldn't remember the detail of what to clean with.
I'm adding panels to our AS and this time I'm using your method....😄 instead of rivets and Sikaflex like last time. (Too soon old, too late smart...)
Sent from my pocket Internet 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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05-05-2016, 08:06 PM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member 
1972 25' Tradewind
fort lauderdale
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 205
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Look up click bond products. They're used in airplanes, cruise ships and the military.
Great product. I think Kip can vouch for them as well.
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05-06-2016, 12:27 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
1977 28' Argosy 28
Mission Viejo
, California
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 79
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
VHB tape AND SikaFlex. Carb cleaner or mineral spirits ONLY for surface prep. Also clean the tops of the rocker foot mounts.
The SikaFlex 221 serves 2 purposes after the VHB is stuck down:
1. It provides a secondary bond along with the VHB
2. It acts as a waterproof barrier to keep the VHB dry.
I've never lost a panel using this method!! 😃
Lew Farber
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Okay THB and 215 with carb cleaner it shall be. Now if I can only get a dry day... thanks much!
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05-06-2016, 12:44 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1975 Argosy 22
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 86
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Both - you can't go wrong, tape first followed up with sikaflex. 
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05-06-2016, 05:24 PM
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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 cdufault
Okay THB and 215 with carb cleaner it shall be. Now if I can only get a dry day... thanks much!
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That's VHB and 221........ to be sure!!!
Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
ABYC Certified Master Marine Electrician
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center*AMS Lithium Batteries
Lifeline AGM Batteries**Magnum Inverters***Victron Energy Components
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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05-07-2016, 12:02 AM
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#12
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:SPACE A" S/O 11 Air19745
2006 34' Classic S/O
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,766
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lewster is right. He did the same thing to my roof mounts. On our way home, 1,100 miles and 30 hours later with a Wally World stop, we hit 80 mph off and on because my friend needed to get back to work. A little fast for this old man, but it gave the new panel mounts a good acid test and they are still holding tight.
guskmg
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05-07-2016, 12:20 PM
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#13
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New Member
1978 28' Ambassador
Chattanoog Dee a
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2
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Sikaflex. We have a 1977 28' Avion with solar and have transtioned to mostly led lighting. The solar keeps the batts charged.
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06-20-2016, 08:22 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2016 28' Flying Cloud
Brandenburg
, Kentucky
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 898
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No drill solar panel mounts SikaFlex-221 or 3M THB tape?
Just arrived in Fairbanks Alaska. The new panels I installed, per AM Solar directions, have survived over 3 days of torrential rain in Alberta and British Columbia Canada. To include temps in the high 80,s to the lows in the mid-30's in the last three weeks and sustained 30 mph headwind while driving at 60mph. The panels have been checked and rechecked and are still securely attached and functioning as advertised.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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06-21-2016, 07:22 AM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member 
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Dallas
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 369
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Can someone post a photo of a panel foot with the SikaFlex applied? I would like to have an idea of where (and how generously) to apply the SikaFlex.
Thanks, Hank
__________________
See my 1956 Flying Cloud renovation thread.
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12-16-2018, 02:46 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2007 31' Classic
Gulf Breeze
, Florida
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 500
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Solar mount with Sikaflex
How long does it take for the adhesive to cure so it is safe to travel without losing solar panels?
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12-16-2018, 04:18 PM
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#17
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trumpetguy
How long does it take for the adhesive to cure so it is safe to travel without losing solar panels?
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24hrs
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12-17-2018, 03:53 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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It takes significantly longer to fully 'cure', but a day or two should be sufficient as a top coat over the 3M VHB tape that you should be using on your mount feet. The longer the better!!!
__________________
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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12-17-2018, 04:03 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
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As a Lew disciple, I used the AM Solar supplied VHB to all 6 of the solar panels on my trailer. This was back in 2015. They are all still there....after about 70,000 miles of trailering.
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
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04-09-2019, 12:08 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
2015 Interstate Ext. Coach
Saint Louis
, Missouri
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
VHB tape AND SikaFlex. Carb cleaner or mineral spirits ONLY for surface prep. Also clean the tops of the rocker foot mounts.
The SikaFlex 221 serves 2 purposes after the VHB is stuck down:
1. It provides a secondary bond along with the VHB
2. It acts as a waterproof barrier to keep the VHB dry.
I've never lost a panel using this method!! 😃
Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
ABYC Certified Master Marine Electrician
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center*AMS Lithium Batteries
Lifeline AGM Batteries**Magnum Inverters***Victron Energy Components
541-490-6357
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Are you saying to lay down the VHB... Then put sikaflex on top of the adhesive surface of the tape?? Or do you mean adhere the panel to the roof with the adhesive surface of the tape and then run a bead of sikaflex along the edge of the panel to the roof surface?? Thanks
__________________
2015 Airstream Interstate Lounge EXT with 9th Passenger Seat
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