Fixing things to roof

[danes-on-tour]

Started the process of adding a panel today. Looks like it will take more than a couple of days because I will need some parts to connect the wires and the place we are at have not a lot of shops with spare parts.

I removed all the Dicor from the existing panels brackets and it turned out that one side is fixed with 2 self tapping screws (one was biting and the other one was not) and the other side had rivets with large heads. It would appear that under 3 of the fixings there is nothing to bite into at all and the last fixing must have caught some sort of steel rail.

I am of the impression that brackets set in Dicor would probably hold a small panel like mine (65W) on its own. It took some force to rip the brackets off the roof even when the fixings was removed. Using an adhesive like the suggested 3M 5200 would more than likely work even better.

I will keep you posted about adding the second panel once I lay my hands on some electrical junction boxes small enough to go under the solar panel.

[garym114]

I installed my 65w panel 5 years ago. I got the mounts from Welcome to AM Solar_Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987. The mounts attach to the fiberglass roof with 3M VHB double sided tape. The only roof penetration is the wiring that goes to an electrical box under the panel. From there down into the AC duct in the ceiling.

[cmpncrsaider]

I would find the framing under the fibreglass roof. Maybe from inside the coach and transfer measurements to outside. At least for the front 2 screws, the back 2 you can glue down. Take your time its important. Tree branches , snow , doing 65mph into a 50 mph head wind. Just don,t want to be thinking about it in traffic.

[nodine]

Originally Posted by The Danes Are Coming

Started the process of adding a panel today. Looks like it will take more than a couple of days because I will need some parts to connect the wires and the place we are at have not a lot of shops with spare parts.

I removed all the Dicor from the existing panels brackets and it turned out that one side is fixed with 2 self tapping screws (one was biting and the other one was not) and the other side had rivets with large heads. It would appear that under 3 of the fixings there is nothing to bite into at all and the last fixing must have caught some sort of steel rail.

I am of the impression that brackets set in Dicor would probably hold a small panel like mine (65W) on its own. It took some force to rip the brackets off the roof even when the fixings was removed. Using an adhesive like the suggested 3M 5200 would more than likely work even better.

I will keep you posted about adding the second panel once I lay my hands on some electrical junction boxes small enough to go under the solar panel.

Henrik,

From reading all the suggestions it sounds like you are taking the best route with the 3M 5200. We don't have any solar panels, but like one of my old bosses once said, "Life is a series of projects", so who knows, might do that someday.

Good luck,

Bob

[CoolJourney]

Originally Posted by garym114

I installed my 65w panel 5 years ago. I got the mounts from Welcome to AM Solar_Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987. The mounts attach to the fiberglass roof with 3M VHB double sided tape. The only roof penetration is the wiring that goes to an electrical box under the panel. From there down into the AC duct in the ceiling.

We had 3 panels installed by AM Solar on our 07 Diplomat about 3 years ago and they are still solidly attached to the roof with the 3M tape. They know what they are doing, I would contact them for the tape or a suggested source.

Bill