Fixing my (two) MPPT controllers without screws (1 Viewer)

chenderson1965

Free Member
Aug 3, 2019
327
274
Nottingham
Funster No
62,953
MH
N+B Arto 79R A Class
Exp
10 years with hires, Newbie owner
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
 
Dec 2, 2019
3,555
7,701
Amersham
Funster No
67,145
MH
van conversion
Exp
Since 2019
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.
 
OP
OP
chenderson1965

chenderson1965

Free Member
Aug 3, 2019
327
274
Nottingham
Funster No
62,953
MH
N+B Arto 79R A Class
Exp
10 years with hires, Newbie owner
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.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Dec 2, 2019
3,555
7,701
Amersham
Funster No
67,145
MH
van conversion
Exp
Since 2019
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

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 16, 2016
10,211
49,905
Near the junction of the A14 and A1, Cambs
Funster No
45,145
MH
Elddis Autoquest 175
Exp
Since 2010
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.

1591561486643.png
 
Dec 2, 2019
3,555
7,701
Amersham
Funster No
67,145
MH
van conversion
Exp
Since 2019
My mistake, I have definitely confused them with the ones with fins.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
chenderson1965

chenderson1965

Free Member
Aug 3, 2019
327
274
Nottingham
Funster No
62,953
MH
N+B Arto 79R A Class
Exp
10 years with hires, Newbie owner
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...
 

TheBig1

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 27, 2011
17,509
42,755
Dorset
Funster No
19,048
MH
A class
Exp
many many years! since I was a kid
either plywood or a couple of strips of softwood pu glue bonded to the aluminium will work well
 

Two on Tour

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 16, 2016
10,211
49,905
Near the junction of the A14 and A1, Cambs
Funster No
45,145
MH
Elddis Autoquest 175
Exp
Since 2010
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.

1591563833552.png

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Dec 2, 2019
3,950
8,891
South Lincolnshire
Funster No
67,140
MH
Rapido 7065+
Exp
Broken most bits now
All this seems to be really over thinking it - number plate double sided foam tape, two layers if extra padding required.
 

Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
Mansfield,Notts
Funster No
35
MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
45 +years with breaks
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?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

StephDeLux

Free Member
May 29, 2019
481
797
Funster No
61,262
MH
ML-T 560 built
Exp
Since 2010
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

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 16, 2016
10,211
49,905
Near the junction of the A14 and A1, Cambs
Funster No
45,145
MH
Elddis Autoquest 175
Exp
Since 2010
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.

1591596712829.png
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Geo
Feb 20, 2017
849
2,441
Kent
Funster No
47,422
MH
Bailey 75-2
Exp
Tugger now Motorhome
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.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top