How to affix solar panels to fibreglass roof?
Submitted: Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 09:56
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jamohamo
Hi!
I would like to affix a solar panel to the fibreglass roof of my campervan (Coromal 391 Pioneer Silhouette) without drilling and bolting if possible. The roof is quite curvey too.
Does anyone have any experience or hints and tips in this area? I'm imagining full length rails on each side of the panel being bonded to the roof somehow. The adhesive would have to be very strong to withstand highway travel and maintain that strength in the Aussie summer sun.
Thanks.
Reply By: Ozhumvee - Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 10:16
Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 10:16
Two aluminium angles bolted to the sides of the panels stuck to the roof using sikaflex IIFC.
I put nutserts in the aluminium frames of the panels and bolted them to the angle with 6mm stainless bolts, then put a good 3-4mm (or more if the roof curvature is greater) bed of Sika on the roof and then sit the panels with angle attached on the sika, Give them 24 hours to cure and then it will be ok to move.
If the panels are large and heavy use a 3-4mm spacer on each corner between the roof and brackets to maintain the sika thickness as it needs the thickness to retain flexibility without tearing.
Forgot to add, clean the roof area first where you are sticking them down with thinners or similar and mark out the area to where the sika is applied.
AnswerID:
464170
Follow Up By: Shaker - Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 12:45
Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 12:45
A lot of Sikaflex products require the use of their primer, don't forget to read the instructions!
FollowupID:
738073
Follow Up By: Member - DingoBlue(WA) - Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 16:35
Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 16:35
Sikaflex 11FC and Sikaflex 292 are both polyurethane sealants manufactured by Sika. One is moisture cured (292). Both will perform the task adequately. The 11FC is probably a little more elastic (450% elongation at break compared with the 292, 300%elongation at break).
Ensure surfaces are cleaned with a solvent and go for it...no need for any extra mechanical fixings.
FollowupID:
738084
Follow Up By: Member - DingoBlue(WA) - Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 16:36
Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 16:36
Sikaflex 11FC and Sikaflex 292 are both polyurethane sealants manufactured by Sika. One is moisture cured (292). Both will perform the task adequately. The 11FC is probably a little more elastic (450% elongation at break compared with the 292, 300% elongation at break).
Ensure surfaces are cleaned with a solvent and go for it...no need for any extra mechanical fixings.
FollowupID:
738085
Reply By: 160 - Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 15:19
Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 15:19
We have a full fibreglass roofed caravan and have 6 solar panels all glued only using Sikkaflex 292.
And 50x50x3mm alloy angle is used to support them, I fitted the angle (4 x 300mm pieces to eack panel, then marked the roof with pencil where the brackets go,
The brackets can be ajusted on the panel to fit the curve of the roof.
Make sure the positions are not near hatches etc that can "shadow" the panel when in use.
You must clean the adhesive area thoroughly (I used metho) and abraded the surface with fine wet and dry to give a key. Also the primer can be used (but I didnt)
I suggest masking around the bracket position so the excess Sikka can easily be cleaned away, as I didnt and its a bugger to remove when set, I ended up trimming of with a
stanley knife.
We have done approx 20k klms and still as the day I fitted them.
I was going to screw also with stainless screws but the bond is so good i didnt see the need.
My caravan is actually stuck together with Sikkaflex only.
AnswerID:
464179