Solar Panel Fitting (1 Viewer)

May 7, 2013
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On our 2nd MH now a AutoTrail Savannah which we're absolutely delighted with
No doubt this question will have been asked before but unfortunately I can't find the answer by searching on here. I know how to fix the mounts to the roof of the MH using Sikaflex but
how do you fit the plastic mounting kits to the solar panels?
I look forward to your kind guidance
Thanks again
Ian
 

Techno

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Self drilling screws, self tappers or drill and tap.

On mine they had no holes drilled so I drilled them 5mm and presented bracket to the frame and drilled through again 5mm. I then tapped the holes in the frame 6mm and drilled out the holes in the brackets to 6.5mm
 
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IanF
May 7, 2013
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On our 2nd MH now a AutoTrail Savannah which we're absolutely delighted with
Self drilling screws, self tappers or drill and tap.
Thank you Techno100 -what size of bolts would you recommend?

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Techno

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As edit above.
I later ordered button headed socket screws
alfrescobay1-X2.jpg


CA_02151313311245-X2.jpg
 

Techno

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Self drilling roofing screws from any good ironmongers probably most commonly used.
Don't be bamboozled by the dissimilar metal brigade, it would take far too many years for corrosion to be an issue.
CA_03271413583045-X2.jpg
 
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IanF
May 7, 2013
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On our 2nd MH now a AutoTrail Savannah which we're absolutely delighted with
Thanks again Techno100 your advice is excellent as usual and very much appreciated
Ian

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Techno

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Anytime Ian. I've requested topic move to Solar section (y)
EDIT which has happened already as if by magic :cool:
 

UK Pete

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I have sikaflexed mine to the roof, the area where your sticking to has to be prepared well this stuff will really stick them on good, but for peace of mind you could stick and put a small self tapper
whopps just re read and i though you were talking about sticking to the van roof

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Gorse Hill

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I have sikaflexed mine to the roof, the area where your sticking to has to be prepared well this stuff will really stick them on good, but for peace of mind you could stick and put a small self tapper
whopps just re read and i though you were talking about sticking to the van roof
The only downside of sticking direct to the roof, if the Solar panels fail and need replacing could be a nightmare
 

Lenny HB

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Don't be bamboozled by the dissimilar metal brigade, it would take far too many years for corrosion to be an issue.
Can't agree on that one, screw S/S self tappers into aluminum, and the aluminum will corrode around the holes within a few years. Even worse where I live a cople of hundreds of yards from the beach in a nice salty atmosphere which accelerates the process. When using S/S nuts & bolts on aluminum I always smear the aluminum with Evo Stick or Silicon an old yatchmans trick.
 

BONZO

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Can two panels be wired together or do each have to have there own controler? As I'm thinking of getting another one . And iv I do should I get the same ie iv got 80w fitted so could I put say 100w with it . John

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OldAgeTravellers

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Hi Andy, @Techno100 I notice you used the plastic brackets here (above) which seem quite expensive but in later posts elsewhere you are using ally angle. Which is your preference? Two of my 100 watt new panels (which will hopefully arrive today :) ) will be side to side rather than long side in direction of travel like above, to fit the space would you use three brackets a side?
You have also shown on other posts that you use the Sikaflex cleaner activator, here in France I just can't find it and the carriage from the UK would be far too high. Do you think a bit of abrasion with fine wet and dry then a good clean, finishing with clean Meths would be good enough? Or do you think that there is actually a chemical reaction with the Sikoflex. How much Sikoflex would I need for three panels so say 18 brackets. Anybody used Sikoflex without the activator? I certainly don't want to see my panels sticking out of the following vehicles windscreen. :(
Steve
 

Allanm

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I sikaflexed the brackets to the roof after I had pop riveted the panel to the brackets. Aluminium panel surrounds and aluminium rivets = no corrosion.
I cleaned the roof first with meths, didn't see any reason to use activator.
 

OldAgeTravellers

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Hi Andy @Techno100 ,
I see you have shared brackets in that last photo, did you bolt the panels together? As I am fitting two 100watts side by side I was thinking of bolting them together and sharing the centre bracket.
Is that some white plastic angle blocking the wind to reduce the lifting effect in the last photo?
Steve
 

Peter A Forbes

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We have had stainless bolts and screws into extrusions on the trailer build, no signs of any dissimilar corrosion, body or solar panels.

Same on the panels on the Mercedes:

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Peter
 

Techno

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Hi Andy @Techno100 ,
I see you have shared brackets in that last photo, did you bolt the panels together? As I am fitting two 100watts side by side I was thinking of bolting them together and sharing the centre bracket.
Is that some white plastic angle blocking the wind to reduce the lifting effect in the last photo?
Steve
No they don't share and it's a strip of plastic flat bar
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Techno

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We have had stainless bolts and screws into extrusions on the trailer build, no signs of any dissimilar corrosion, body or solar panels.
Likewise on my own having recently lifted them for a roof scrub there is zero corrosion and I fitted them Feb 2013
 

Techno

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In some circumstances you can integrate the entry gland. This was forced upon me by space restrictions but worked well
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Last edited:

Techno

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Can two panels be wired together or do each have to have there own controler? As I'm thinking of getting another one . And iv I do should I get the same ie iv got 80w fitted so could I put say 100w with it . John
Yes connect in parallel. Matching panels are better but not essential

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