Community Forums

Wanderer23 · 01-16-2018, 07:14 AM

My Class A has a curved/radiused fiberglass roof.

What mounting brackets would be recommended to mount 39x39 inch Renogy panels that will compensate for the curve?

I'm not interested in tilting versions. Just too old to keep climbing up on roofs.

Thanks and have a great day!

pauldub · 01-16-2018, 06:38 PM

The mounts that AM Solar sell work well for a crowned roof. I couldn't stand their price so I made my own.

**CountryFit** · 01-16-2018, 06:59 PM

for a curved roof, 3" x 3" with 1/4" thick right angle L aluminum structural should do (for flat 2" x 2"). i made mine no problems.

ByeTheWay · 01-16-2018, 07:35 PM

mounting brackets for a curved roof are just taller and maybe heavier.

Terryagj · 01-17-2018, 04:49 PM

I mounted 3 of Renogy's 150W, 39"x39" panels to my 5th's compound curvature roof using Renogy's Z brackets. I did straighten out one of the 90 deg bends to a 180 deg, to turn it into a L shaped bracket. 4K miles towing, no issues.

C.Martin · 01-18-2018, 05:24 AM

Yep...rocker feet by AMSolar. As someone already stated...if the price is offensive you can fashion your own. VHB tape is easily purchased from Amazon.com

I didn’t think my Stainless Steel fabrication techniques would come out looking as good...and Aluminum would need to be watched carefully for metal fatigue...as I imagine there would be some buffeting and tension up on the roof while dragging a solar panel thru the wind doing 65mpg. Anyone handy with Finite Element Analysis?

Wanderer23 · 01-18-2018, 06:25 AM

I just ordered the curved mounting brackets, 3 sets for the 2 panels. I will double bracket the leading edges of the panels.

What is the preferred part number for the 3M VHB tape? Is it best to also get the adhesion promoter also?

Going to mount the panels on a fiberglass roof and gun shy to drill any hole up there for mounting screws etc.

Now to figure out how to get the panels up there...........I'm no spring chicken and not much available help in the neighborhood. (2) 39x39 panels, 26 lbs ea, one handed trying to climb a 16ft ladder and not tear up the roof or me............should be interesting.

Contacted a dealer to just install my panels, I'd run all wires, hook up the roof coupler, etc. They want 5 HOURS labor just to fasten my panels to the roof.

Uh, don't think so.........

pauldub · 01-19-2018, 10:37 AM

The VHB tape is 3M 4950. You can get it from Amazon.

C.Martin · 01-19-2018, 09:05 PM

I refered to some 3M literature comparing bond strength.

My process was to use alcohol and a maroon colored scotchbrite pad to clean the area. Wipe the residue away. Clean one more time with just a cotton terry towel and alcohol. Applied the adhesion promoter and allowed it to dry. Bonded the VHB tape to the area and make sure to apply pressure to get a good bond.

The item is then sealed with dicor self-leveling sealant to prevent the tape from being exposed to water whenever it rains.

I also doubled up on the front brackets that are directly in the slipstream. Just to be sure.

ALLOY · 01-22-2018, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Martin

I refered to some 3M literature comparing bond strength.

My process was to use alcohol and a maroon colored scotchbrite pad to clean the area. Wipe the residue away. Clean one more time with just a cotton terry towel and alcohol. Applied the adhesion promoter and allowed it to dry. Bonded the VHB tape to the area and make sure to apply pressure to get a good bond.

The item is then sealed with dicor self-leveling sealant to prevent the tape from being exposed to water whenever it rains.

I also doubled up on the front brackets that are directly in the slipstream. Just to be sure.

I've worked with FRP sheet in food plants. The bond between the VHB tape and the fiberglass will be stronger than the contact cement holding the FRP to the roof deck.

ALLOY · 01-22-2018, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Martin

Yep...rocker feet by AMSolar. As someone already stated...if the price is offensive you can fashion your own. VHB tape is easily purchased from Amazon.com

I didn’t think my Stainless Steel fabrication techniques would come out looking as good...and Aluminum would need to be watched carefully for metal fatigue...as I imagine there would be some buffeting and tension up on the roof while dragging a solar panel thru the wind doing 65mpg. Anyone handy with Finite Element Analysis?

All the panels I've seen have aluminum frames

A rule of thumb....aluminum is 1/2 as strong as steel but 1/3 the weight.

At the cost stainless one can make alum 4X as thick and have some $$ left over....alum will never look as nice though.

C.Martin · 01-23-2018, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALLOY

All the panels I've seen have aluminum frames

A rule of thumb....aluminum is 1/2 as strong as steel but 1/3 the weight.

At the cost stainless one can make alum 4X as thick and have some $$ left over....alum will never look as nice though.

No body can really see it but me. I was more concerned about metal fatigue. Aluminum is a bit more susceptible to breaking from repetitive loads. I think the stainless steel will outlast me.

**CountryFit** · 01-23-2018, 07:43 AM

hmmm... i have been using my alum brackets for 5 years... 1/4" on the side is very thick. can't imagine it would ever break off; the 2 retaining screws would have to be pulled off before the brackets would break... hope this will not jinx me

.

**CountryFit** · 01-23-2018, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanderer23

Now to figure out how to get the panels up there...........I'm no spring chicken and not much available help in the neighborhood. (2) 39x39 panels, 26 lbs ea, one handed trying to climb a 16ft ladder and not tear up the roof or me............should be interesting.

Contacted a dealer to just install my panels, I'd run all wires, hook up the roof coupler, etc. They want 5 HOURS labor just to fasten my panels to the roof.

Uh, don't think so.........

i did mine about 2 months ago.

i am in early 60s, how old are you?
my panels were 35lbs each. just by myself, i moved 9 panels down and 11 panels up.
i used a 12' straight ladder leaning to the coach (protected contacts) and a 4' A ladder together with the factory rear ladder for me to go up and down.
i used the straight ladder as sliding rails. from top slowly slid the panel down and pulled the panel up. one at a time.

i have the details in my blog - click on "Blog Entries: 2" under my avatar to the left of this page (if you read this on your smartphone, it's toward the right of my user id on this page).

you can do it! good luck!