Fixing my (two) MPPT controllers without screws

[chenderson1965]

I’m about to take on the installation of my second solar panel, and also upgrading the controller on the first. I’ve done some YouTube research and, apart from finding a way to route the cable to the battery area, it doesn’t look too tricky.

I have a pair of Victron 75/15 controllers, one for the new panel and one to replace the cheap one on the existing. I’ve checked with Victron and connecting each panel through its own controller is the best way so that’s simple enough too.

There is one vertical surface in the battery area that is big enough to take them, but it’s aluminium rather than wood and is the inner wall of the recess that houses the electrically operated door steps when retracted.

if at all possible, I’d like to avoid screwing into the metal panel. I can’t easily see how thick it is or what’s behind it, and I’m worried about screwing into the mechanism or wires of the steps.

The controllers are quite heavy and clearly need to be fixed securely. I could sikaflex them but that might be a bit too permanent. I wondered about getting some of the really heavy duty Velcro and using that - but that might fail when the glue ages.

Does anyone else have any other ideas for securing them?

Thanks.
Chris

 

[Raul]

Glue a piece of plywood backing with sika, and attach them to that. The 75/15’s are not heavy at all, a 6”x12” plywood would be ample space for both, and a lot of glue surface as well.

 

[chenderson1965]

Glue a piece of plywood backing with sika, and attach them to that. The 75/15’s are not heavy at all, a 6”x12” plywood would be ample space for both, and a lot of glue surface as well.

Doh! I thought of that and dismissed it for some reason. Clearly the way to go. Thanks.

 

[Two on Tour]

3M Command picture hangers.

I have used these this week to fix up a shelf to sit my broadband router on.
I got mine from Amazon.

Amazon product ASIN B00LOQMCDM

 

[chenderson1965]

3M Command picture hangers.

I have used these this week to fix up a shelf to sit my broadband router on.
I got mine from Amazon.

Amazon product ASIN B00LOQMCDM

Also a great idea. Thanks.

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[fat haggis]

This will hold them no problems .. works a treat
LINK

 

[Raul]

How do you attach it to the radiator fins? It’s not flat at the back. And bumps will work it loose. Screw fixing is paramount.

 

[Two on Tour]

How do you attach it to the radiator fins? It’s not flat at the back. And bumps will work it loose. Screw fixing is paramount.

The Victron 75/15 does not have fins on the back, it's a flat aluminium plate, the Victron 100/20 has a heatsink with fins on the back.

 

[Raul]

My mistake, I have definitely confused them with the ones with fins.

 

[chenderson1965]

The Victron 75/15 does not have fins on the back, it's a flat aluminium plate, the Victron 100/20 has a heatsink with fins on the back.

View attachment 394681

Just looked at mine and the back is flat - but it’s not completely flush (the blue edging is slightly e]raised from the flat metal area) so the Velcro/sticky picture hanger options might not work. Sikaflex-ed plywood is winning at the moment...

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[TheBig1]

either plywood or a couple of strips of softwood pu glue bonded to the aluminium will work well

 

[Two on Tour]

Just looked at mine and the back is flat - but it’s not completely flush (the blue edging is slightly e]raised from the flat metal area) so the Velcro/sticky picture hanger options might not work. Sikaflex-ed plywood is winning at the moment...

The frame hangers are made up of 2 strips of a all plastic type velcro which when together are 4mm thick which will more than cover the depth of the recess which is about 1mm
The strips are removable if necessary if you for any reason need to remove your controllers, where as bonding a ply board is a one way option if you like it or not.

 

[Geo]

My mistake, I have definitely confused them with the ones with fins.

Your confused ??? I thought what the heck is he doing under the bonnet fixing to the Radiator

 

[dunnah01]

All this seems to be really over thinking it - number plate double sided foam tape, two layers if extra padding required.

 

[Geo]

The frame hangers are made up of 2 strips of a all plastic type velcro which when together are 4mm thick which will more than cover the depth of the recess which is about 1mm
The strips are removable if necessary if you for any reason need to remove your controllers, where as bonding a ply board is a one way option if you like it or not.

View attachment 394691

Are they re useable?

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[StephDeLux]

Broken Link Removed. Some use it instead of rivets.

I used it to glue a flexible solar panel on a pickup truck roof. Never budged. Brute force doesn't work to unglue, period. The foam dissolves with WD40, so it is easy to remove without leaving any traces.

 

[Two on Tour]

Are they re useable?

If you mean by separating and putting back together like velcro, then yes, but if you mean peeling the whole lot off and then reusing for another application then no.

The 3M velcro is made up of little plastic mushrooms and when the two sides are pushed together the mushroom heads interlock.

 

[Ninjabob]

Broken Link Removed. Some use it instead of rivets.

I used it to glue a flexible solar panel on a pickup truck roof. Never budged. Brute force doesn't work to unglue, period. The foam dissolves with WD40, so it is easy to remove without leaving any traces.

It will never come off with 3M VHB and the little bit of heat off the controller will make it stick even more. Double up on the tape to get the correct thickness. My awning rail is stuck on with it.

 

[chenderson1965]

Thanks everyone.