Solar Panels ..... anyone fitted them to PVC using roof rack mounts? (1 Viewer)

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Chockswahay

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Has anyone used the Fiat roof rack mounts to fit solar panels therefore avoiding glue/screws/holes in roof etc? Is it even possible?
 

DBK

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Has anyone used the Fiat roof rack mounts to fit solar panels therefore avoiding glue/screws/holes in roof etc? Is it even possible?
I'm sure it is, and I've got two roof bars for sale if you want to try! Well, for sale in the sense I put them on eBay and got zero bids so gathering dust at the moment.

But I believe you can just stick the panel mounts on with Sikaflex.
 

vwalan

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have fitted solar panels to roof racks .
this was on a large commercial type rack. but ladder bars would be ideal.
i mounted the solar on plastic angle about 3 inches wide then the angle to the roof rack .

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Chockswahay

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I'm sure it is, and I've got two roof bars for sale if you want to try! Well, for sale in the sense I put them on eBay and got zero bids so gathering dust at the moment.

But I believe you can just stick the panel mounts on with Sikaflex.

Thanks DBK, I will be looking into this an an option, I have a few ongoing questions right now elsewhere on the forum. (y)
 
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As Hilldweller says looks out for flexing. Also you will be allowing a lot of wind under them which could put additional stress on both the rack and the panels. Just try carrying a sheet of wood out in 60mph winds?

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vwalan

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they are only about 4ft long if 80/100watt panels . not much flex if any i would put the angle across the front and rear then rivet the panels to it boly clamp the angle at each end .
3inch plastic angle bought from a builders yard is very strong .
or use ally .
i used ally on mine . see pic . have added 3 more since .
those 3 got put on in 2002 or 3 .

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jollyrodger

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The larger one 200w fixed on rails feeds 3 x 110 amph aux batteries (2 banks) + 1500w inverter .
the smaller 60w fixed to roof charges just the main 110 starter battery.

Not a panel van i know but the same principle just covered 2700 miles no problems
IMG_20151022_174842.jpg
 
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Chockswahay

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Thanks chaps (y)

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I haven't fitted a solar panel to a PVC, but, years ago, I bought a Pilote with a roof box. I took the box off and fitted the panel to the roof bars with "J" bolts. I covered about 20,000 miles over the 2 1/2 years I had that model then moved the panel on to the roof of a Hymer, but with a more conventional mounting.

J
 
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Ralph used sikaflex but make sure you use the primer first.
There's closer pictures on his conversion thread.
He did the same with our previous MH too. Which was on for the 6 years we had it and is still on now.
image.jpeg
 

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