Help with mounting solar panels

Lemut

Lemut

LIFE MEMBER
Joined
Sep 18, 2020
Posts
61
Likes collected
71
Location
Redditch, UK
Funster No
76,019
MH
Class C
Hi all,
I'm scoping out installing a solar package for my motorhome. I've no problem with installing the 'inside' components but I'm getting on a bit and need to mount 2 possibility 3 solar panels on the roof of my motorhome. Does anyone know of how I can get help doing the high level bit?
I live south of Birmingham J4 - M42 - A435 (Redditch) and can travel as needed. The MH is a Burstner 727.
Can anyone suggest a trusted 'professional' or have any other ideas how I can do this.
All suggestions greatfully (not rude un's please!) received.
Thanks guys
 
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First things first i know no-one that can help. I understand the getting on a bit and things hurt when you drop a 10kg panel and it swings on one arm/shoulder.
I have 3 panels 2 8-10kg and one 20kg 330w beast.
This is how i did, it your circumstances may be different. First mounted my Ally brackets (2"x2" angle) on the panel ( i use rivnuts and machine screws, some advocate rivets) Park van next to my flat roof. 2 laders required, one to get on roof one to rest panel on and pull up to roof. Rope and assistant handy (swmbo). to move on roof mount a flat platform with wheels to panel (used/sold for moving washing machines about. Put in position and layout masking tape to show where to squirt adhesive. remove wheels. if not allready done. Lift and move to one side to apply adhesive. I use puraflex 40 from toolstation). Squirt fill patern to achieve a 3mm thick bead when squashed. I use rubber tap or plastic washers to set the thickness. Lift and move to other side, squirt.
Lift and place on adhesive press down to spacers. Remove excess adhesive if squashed out too much. Climb down ladder make tea and try to think what i forgot. Wait a bit then go back up and remove tape. This can be adapted to smaller panels. if mounting across the width an assistant is required for final positioning manouver .

Hope this helps in some way.

edit when helping there has been more than 1 occasion she has said "we're are too bl dy old to be doing this".
 
Last edited:
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For my previous van, I mounted a 280w panel. I attached the mountings to the panel. I laid a bit of carpet over the edge of the roof, then then carefully lifted the panel up. Once I'd positioned it, I put masking tape around the areas I wanted to put the adhesive on. Rather than taking the panel off again, I just shoved a loo-roll under each corner. This lifted it enough to apply the adhesive with a gun. I then dropped both sides down, wiggled it about a bit to make sure there was reasonable pressure. I then cleaned up the excess goop. It took several laps running around the van, moving the ladder, but it worked.
 
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the1andonly said:
First things first i know no-one that can help. I understand the getting on a bit and things hurt when you drop a 10kg panel and it swings on one arm/shoulder.
I have 3 panels 2 8-10kg and one 20kg 330w beast.
This is how i did, it your circumstances may be different. First mounted my Ally brackets (2"x2" angle) on the panel ( i use rivnuts and machine screws, some advocate rivets) Park van next to my flat roof. 2 laders required, one to get on roof one to rest panel on and pull up to roof. Rope and assistant handy (swmbo). to move on roof mount a flat platform with wheels to panel (used/sold for moving washing machines about. Put in position and layout masking tape to show where to squirt adhesive. remove wheels. if not allready done. Lift and move to one side to apply adhesive. I use puraflex 40 from toolstation). Squirt fill patern to achieve a 3mm thick bead when squashed. I use rubber tap or plastic washers to set the thickness. Lift and move to other side, squirt.
Lift and place on adhesive press down to spacers. Remove excess adhesive if squashed out too much. Climb down ladder make tea and try to think what i forgot. Wait a bit then go back up and remove tape. This can be adapted to smaller panels. if mounting across the width an assistant is required for final positioning manouver .

Hope this helps in some way.

edit when helping there has been more than 1 occasion she has said "we're are too bl dy old to be doing this".
Click to expand...
Hi, Good information and advice. Looks like the porch roof may be of use if I can get the MuttHut to line up. Thank you the 1andonly (y)

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Lemut said:
Hi all,
I'm scoping out installing a solar package for my motorhome. I've no problem with installing the 'inside' components but I'm getting on a bit and need to mount 2 possibility 3 solar panels on the roof of my motorhome. Does anyone know of how I can get help doing the high level bit?
I live south of Birmingham J4 - M42 - A435 (Redditch) and can travel as needed. The MH is a Burstner 727.
Can anyone suggest a trusted 'professional' or have any other ideas how I can do this.
All suggestions greatfully (not rude un's please!) received.
Thanks guys
Click to expand...
Suggest you ask The Motorhome Depot who are also Burstner agents for a quote. They are close to your location.

New & Used Motorhomes For Sale | TMD Motorhomes

Over 100 new and used motorhomes for sale at TMD Motorhomes near Redditch. We are open six days a week so visit us or call 01564 758060 for details.
tmdmotorhomes.com tmdmotorhomes.com
 
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Kups said:
Suggest you ask The Motorhome Depot who are also Burstner agents for a quote. They are close to your location.

New & Used Motorhomes For Sale | TMD Motorhomes

Over 100 new and used motorhomes for sale at TMD Motorhomes near Redditch. We are open six days a week so visit us or call 01564 758060 for details.
tmdmotorhomes.com tmdmotorhomes.com
Click to expand...
Hi Kups, Thanks for your suggestion and it would be a good one normally. However, our MH was purchased from them last August 2020. She was finally registered for the first time Sept 21. We have still not been able to enjoy her for various reasons, the latest thing being the brakes. The pedal goes slowly to the floor if contestant pressure is maintained. She's been with TMD since last week, and is now sitting in their Redditch van park after I was informed this is normal, She is going to Fiat (I think Warwick) this Friday. All I will say, as I want to be polite, is that I have not found them the easiest of business to trade with. Such fun...
 
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Lemut said:
Hi Kups, Thanks for your suggestion and it would be a good one normally. However, our MH was purchased from them last August 2020. She was finally registered for the first time Sept 21. We have still not been able to enjoy her for various reasons, the latest thing being the brakes. The pedal goes slowly to the floor if contestant pressure is maintained. She's been with TMD since last week, and is now sitting in their Redditch van park after I was informed this is normal, She is going to Fiat (I think Warwick) this Friday. All I will say, as I want to be polite, is that I have not found them the easiest of business to trade with. Such fun...
Click to expand...
It is very common for the brake pedal on a ducato/boxer (same van) to slowly sink to the floor under constant foot pressure. It's the way the combined brake and clutch master cylinder functions

As to the heavy physical bit of fitting solar panels. I have found that advertising on facebook local pages for a labourer works well. You can quickly weed out the idiots with no clue and I pick people with experience working off ladders and pay cash. When boding to the roof, I always advise that you clean the area thoroughly first. Mask off around the contact areas and lightly sand off any wax finishes to allow the polyurethane adhesive to key into the surface. The same on the feet you use, especially plastic ones, but I also sand pieces of aluminium angle. It takes a few extra seconds, but can be the difference of a good seal or not. I then use a few tiling spacers to ensure I get a nice even area of adhesive between foot and roof about 4mm thick. Once it's had 24 hours to set, the only way to remove the adhesive is to manually cut through it.

I use the same sanding and packing method to ensure a really good watertight seal for the cable entry glands to pass through the roof
 
Upvote 0
Lemut said:
Hi Kups, Thanks for your suggestion and it would be a good one normally. However, our MH was purchased from them last August 2020. She was finally registered for the first time Sept 21. We have still not been able to enjoy her for various reasons, the latest thing being the brakes. The pedal goes slowly to the floor if contestant pressure is maintained. She's been with TMD since last week, and is now sitting in their Redditch van park after I was informed this is normal, She is going to Fiat (I think Warwick) this Friday. All I will say, as I want to be polite, is that I have not found them the easiest of business to trade with. Such fun...
Click to expand...
Agree - such fun:rollingeyes:. We bought our Adria from TMD in October 2020 and just had the first services. Did like the look of the flash Bursteners in the Road Show whilst we were there.
 
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There's not many businesses that like doing half the job, but if choose to get someone to supply and fit them Alan DMS will sort you out, or know a man that can. 😎
https://www.directmotorhomeservices.co.uk/ is at Nuneaton and I think you may get a funster discount. 😁 Bob

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Upvote 0
Lemut said:
Hi Kups, Thanks for your suggestion and it would be a good one normally. However, our MH was purchased from them last August 2020. She was finally registered for the first time Sept 21. We have still not been able to enjoy her for various reasons, the latest thing being the brakes. The pedal goes slowly to the floor if contestant pressure is maintained. She's been with TMD since last week, and is now sitting in their Redditch van park after I was informed this is normal, She is going to Fiat (I think Warwick) this Friday. All I will say, as I want to be polite, is that I have not found them the easiest of business to trade with. Such fun...
Click to expand...
your brake problem is quite normal google deisel creep to better understand it
 
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