A Question for those who have DIY installed semi flexible panels

[Nigel Crompton]

I installed 2x120w semi-flexible panels on my last motorroam. They failed after 13 months by delaminating. The suppliers replaced them with rigid panels at my request.

I fixed the semi-flexible panels using multiple beads of sikaflex running the length of the panels but with 4-6" margin all around the edges. Having let the sikaflex go off for a couple of days I then sealed the edges with a bead of sikaflex all round. I thought I was being clever by incorporating a 'straw' from a can of WD40 into the edge bead to allow air pressure to equalise (altitude, temperature).

As I'm getting past manhandling heavy panels on a roof, I'm seriously considering going semi-flexible again. I'm wondering whether I should seal the panels edges, or not.
PRO: no pressure issues, possible lower temperature
CON: water & sh1t get under (my motorroams seldom experience frost)


What's everyone else done ?

 

[Just smiffy]

Flexible panels don’t get good reviews on here but @Minxy Girl has them and rates them I believe.... she will be along to give here opinion shortly....

 

[two]

I wouldn't use the straw. What goes in might not come out.
Flexible panels are more expensive but lighter than rigid panels.

 

[Minxy]

I've had rigid panels on coachbuilt MHs and campers but on our last 2 PVCs I put semi-flexible ones, neither type have given us any issues at all even after many years of use. The last PVC had a 60w panel on for over 3 years without any signs of physical or output deterioration, hence my decision to go with 2 x 100w ones on our current PVC (its got an all-electric fridge) after much debate/comment/advice (delete according to your view! ) on this forum.

The only concern I have is that, made by others too, of semi-flexi ones getting overheated as there's no proper air gap on a coachbuilt/a-class roof to prevent this, whereas the roof of our PVC has a corrugated structure so no worry about overheating.

If I could satisfy myself that putting semi-flex panels on a totally flat roof wouldn't cause any issues I might do so, otherwise I'd go with rigid raised up off the roof.

 

[bobandjanie]

We had 2 x 100w on the last van for over 4 years no problem, and the same on this van for a year so far, we are in some hot temperatures and cant fault them. Bob.

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[Nigel Crompton]

Hmmm ... I can see how/why a corrugated roof may be a better base for non-rigid panels.

Cheers m' dears