Drilling plastic solar panel corner brackets (1 Viewer)

Flamenca

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I have opted to fit panels on my roof using plastic corner brackets. The brackets arrived today and I am quite surprised that they are made of very rigid/brittle plastic. I am wondering the best way of drilling the holes required without cracking or shattering the plastic. Am I being overly cautious? All recommendations welcome.
 

Lenny HB

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They normally come with holes to mount the panel you shouldn't need any more holes.
Plastic is easy to drill just make you use a good quality drill & medium speed.
 
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Flamenca

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Unfortunately, the brackets I bought on Amazon did not come pre-drilled.

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Obviously not these then? Thought they all had holes pre drilled?
Screenshot_2016-04-18-20-23-11.png
 
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Flamenca

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@Boringfrog I bought them from a different supplier on Amazon. They look identical to the ones you show but no holes pre-drilled :(

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Techno

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The recesses for the holes look too near the corner in my view and the drill will hit the steel reinforcements within the panel corners.
I use Aluminium
 
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@Boringfrog I bought them from a different supplier on Amazon. They look identical to the ones you show but no holes pre-drilled :(
I would drill with a small 2mm bit 1st then use the correct size for the bolts you're using. Are they curved like the photo too?
 
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I'd get some silkaflex and stick em down(y)

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Terry

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May I suggest you simply stick them on your van IE no drilling -Mighty strength grip and grab -made by Siroflex is great stuff(y)(y)(y) but takes a bit of finding -Also Puraflex 40 (y)from toolstation is very good for both sticking and sealing
terry
 
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Flamenca

Flamenca

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I would drill with a small 2mm bit 1st then use the correct size for the bolts you're using. Are they curved like the photo too?

Yes, identical to the ones in your photo. As you suggest, I will drill pilot holes initially.
 

Techno

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May I suggest you simply stick them on your van IE no drilling -Mighty strength grip and grab -made by Siroflex is great stuff(y)(y)(y) but takes a bit of finding -Also Puraflex 40 (y)from toolstation is very good for both sticking and sealing
terry
He means to fix the bracket to the panel Terry not to fix to the van

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Flamenca

Flamenca

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The recesses for the holes look too near the corner in my view and the drill will hit the steel reinforcements within the panel corners.

Fortunately, or possibly unfortunately, there are no steel reinforcements within the corners on my panels. They are cheap ones from China.
 

Techno

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Fortunately, or possibly unfortunately, there are no steel reinforcements within the corners on my panels. They are cheap ones from China.
Not that you can see but yes there are inside the aluminium which is hollow double skinned
 
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DBK

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Make sure the plastic is warm, not cold and brittle. Keep overnight in a warm place prior to fitting should do it.

And buy new drill bits, especially if you have to drill through the corners which as suggested are likely to be solid. It can be done, I've done it. The screw nearest the camera on the far panel in this shot goes through the corner reinforcing and I have used an M5 bolt there.
OI000043.jpg

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Techno

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See the rivet is inside the double skin
and you can just see one of the indent marks that crimps the aluminium to the internal corner joiner
image.jpeg

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Techno

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Be sure to use a course grit sandpaper on the base of those brackets before applying adhesive
 
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I've got the same brackets in black, and plan to use 2x corners and 2x straight bits. As you, neither have pre drilled holes.
 
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Be sure to use a course grit sandpaper on the base of those brackets before applying adhesive

Usually drill half a dozen holes through the aluminium brackets, this allows the mastic sealant to ooze through and give added 'stiction'.

Allen
 

Techno

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Usually drill half a dozen holes through the aluminium brackets, this allows the mastic sealant to ooze through and give added 'stiction'.

Allen
I was referring to his plastic brackets

No I don't pepper pot the aluminium I use sika cleaner activator no need for holes
 

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