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09-19-2020, 10:51 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2013 20' Flying Cloud
Silverdale
, Washington
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 63
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VHB or Threaded Fasteners Mount Solar Panels?
On my 2013 FB I had for solar panels installed by a.m. solar they used 3M VHB tape and no threaded fasteners on the original installation. They commented that using threaded fasteners was unnecessary and only encouraged leaks into the coach.
My coach is in the shop getting a roof reseal after seven years and the airstream dealership in Seattle wants to use screws two more tightly mount the brackets.
Does anyone prefer one method over the other? What is the correct method for installing these solar panels. I would tend to trust the solar panel installation company over the Airstream repair shop but I am not sure that is correct.
Does anyone prefer one method over the other? What is the correct method for installing these solar panels. I would tend to trust the solar panel insulation company over the airstream repair shop but I am not sure that is correct.
Any insight anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.
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09-19-2020, 11:54 AM
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#2
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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VHB or Threaded Fasteners Mount Solar Panels?
VHB for me, no problems. AM solar, GMFL, Lew Farber, etc know best.
Is your airstream dealer going to tear out the interior of your coach to find the water source on the roof when leaks start? I think not...
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09-19-2020, 12:18 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,668
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VHB with an overlay of polyurethane has held fine for 4 or 5 years. No screws for me.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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09-19-2020, 02:03 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,099
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Vhb is good. Dont your any screws
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09-19-2020, 02:29 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
2013 20' Flying Cloud
Silverdale
, Washington
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 63
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These are the photos they sent me to prove I need screws. I don’t see the proof. How should the surface be cleaned and prepared? Do the mounts get prepared the same way? Why polyurethane? Why not just the roof sealant on top of the mounts and around the VHB?
Thank you all for the help. It’s been in the shop for months and their really backed up. What to get her out quick! Thank you.
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09-19-2020, 03:37 PM
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#6
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PapaPepper
These are the photos they sent me to prove I need screws. I don’t see the proof. How should the surface be cleaned and prepared? Do the mounts get prepared the same way? Why polyurethane? Why not just the roof sealant on top of the mounts and around the VHB?
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Silkaflex 221 to coat / seal back after everything has been cleaned and new VHB tape applied. Silkaflex has higher adhesion properties as compared to a sealant like Dicor.
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09-19-2020, 03:51 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,099
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Need to clean first
Dry
Use VHB tape
Then use the white tape over the mount to keep vhb dry
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09-19-2020, 04:55 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2005 31' Classic
Garner,
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
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first it looks like the mount got ripped out not by wind but by something else.. not sure how old this installation is but I would make sure AM solar has access to the pictures as well.
clean up the area and remount the goot.. VHB tape and 221 on and around and king kong will have problems pulling that foot off..
Quote:
Originally Posted by wulfraat
Silkaflex 221 to coat / seal back after everything has been cleaned and new VHB tape applied. Silkaflex has higher adhesion properties as compared to a sealant like Dicor.
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__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
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09-19-2020, 06:44 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 773
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No screws! VBH and Sikaflex!
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09-20-2020, 09:42 AM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
2013 20' Flying Cloud
Silverdale
, Washington
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 63
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Installation was Spring 2015 I believe.
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09-20-2020, 09:44 AM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
2013 20' Flying Cloud
Silverdale
, Washington
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 63
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What should be used to clean and prepare the surface? Denatured Alcohol? Acetone?
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09-20-2020, 10:08 AM
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#12
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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VHB or Threaded Fasteners Mount Solar Panels?
Quote:
Originally Posted by PapaPepper;
What should be used to clean and prepare the surface? Denatured Alcohol? Acetone?
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Mineral spirits I would think.
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09-20-2020, 10:16 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 773
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I used carburetor cleaner. No alcohol!
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09-20-2020, 12:49 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1964 26' Overlander
1974 31' Sovereign
Milton
, ON
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,224
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I recently mounted solar panels to my Avion truck camper, which is basically the same situation - aluminum roof that is slightly rounded. I used Rivnuts because I paired the panels together to make one large one. I'm not worried about them leaking. The Rivnuts are sealed in the hole, the base of the bracket is set in Trempro 635 and the bolt, also coated in Trempro, holds the base tight to the trailer. Probably not necessary, but I feel better doing it this way rather than relying on adhesive alone since each panel is now about 42" x 42".
I did this to make it easier to tilt, since now I don't have to reach to the middle of the camper to loosen or undo knobs. It's also easier to check the attachments as they are near the "edges" of the roof.
Not looking for an argument about which is better, I'm just offering this as an alternative for anyone who doesn't feel comfortable with adhesive only. I'm happy with the way this turned out.
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09-20-2020, 01:58 PM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
Fitchburg
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 228
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I agree: VHB
I think the current AM Solar videos suggest alcohol as a solvent for VHB.
Plastic razor blades work well for removing Sikaflex and the like without damaging the aluminum.
Search for "plastic razor blades" on Amazon.
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09-20-2020, 03:06 PM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
2013 20' Flying Cloud
Silverdale
, Washington
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 63
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Thank you for the perspective. All input welcome and greatly appreciated.
Many options allow for a logical filtering to an optimal solution to each persons unique situation.
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09-20-2020, 07:31 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 773
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VHB or Threaded Fasteners Mount Solar Panels?
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillfromWI
I agree: VHB
I think the current AM Solar videos suggest alcohol as a solvent for VHB.
Plastic razor blades work well for removing Sikaflex and the like without damaging the aluminum.
Search for "plastic razor blades" on Amazon.
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You can’t use alcohol with Sikaflex.
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09-20-2020, 08:20 PM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 155
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To the OP. the installation should be fine. Like the others, I didn’t use screws. I thought about rivnuts & screws but decided against it. However I check the panel security before each outing when i clean glass.
Steve
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09-21-2020, 07:21 AM
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#19
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Wolfwhistle
Margaritaville
, Banana Republic
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 705
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PapaPepper
What should be used to clean and prepare the surface? Denatured Alcohol? Acetone?
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An good cleaner, then alcohol. Acetone will probably removed the paint. I would use 3M adhesive promoter and 4941 VHB. I have used Sikaflex to bury the mount, but have recently successfully used Alpha self leveling. Also, I would like to point out that bracket that pulled off in the photo, should have been shaped to fit and or turned 90 degrees and would done much better. I actually bent mounting feet until I get full contact.
FE
__________________
Is taking it all with you, really getting away from it all?
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09-22-2020, 04:47 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 773
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fair_Enough
An good cleaner, then alcohol. Acetone will probably removed the paint. I would use 3M adhesive promoter and 4941 VHB. I have used Sikaflex to bury the mount, but have recently successfully used Alpha self leveling. Also, I would like to point out that bracket that pulled off in the photo, should have been shaped to fit and or turned 90 degrees and would done much better. I actually bent mounting feet until I get full contact.
FE
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Do not use alcohol or a solution containing alcohol if you plan to cover the mount with Sikaflex. See note from Sikaflex:
“Alcohol containing or alcohol releasing products will impair the polyurethane from curing. ... The optimum application temperature for Sikaflex[emoji768] (polyurethanes and silane terminated polymers) and the substrates is between 15 °C and 25 °C. Do not apply these products at temperatures below 5 °C and above 40 °C.”
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