Mounting Solar equipment on side panel.

[PeteMallorca]

Any advice please. I need to arrange a lot of solar equipment on an internal, outside wall (side panel). The walls are a thin plastic outer and inner, with a foam filled centre.

I need to mount about 25k of equipment.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[Richard n Ann]

You'll maybe have to ply board it first. What equipment?

 

[MisterB]

Without going into why's or what for's

- have you considered making a frame to spread the weight onto the roof and chassis? A bit like you see sometimes on vans fitting double glazing etc?

 

[Spriddler]

I need to mount about 25k of equipment.

Is that meant to be the weight - 25kg, or the value of the equipment?

 

[PeteMallorca]

You'll maybe have to ply board it first. What equipment?

That's what I was thinking Richard & Ann. I also thought that there might be a lighter option. I will edit the first post but it should have read 25kg. I know that Victron are expensive but it's not that bad .

I was thinking of maybe a composition bourd that I could use adhesive to the existing side panel.

I'm just guessing though.

Thanks.

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[PeteMallorca]

Without going into why's or what for's

- have you considered making a frame to spread the weight onto the roof and chassis? A bit like you see sometimes on vans fitting double glazing etc?

I didn't, to be honest MisterB. I was thinking of some kind of composite board, glued to the panel. I'll think about your suggestion too.

Thanks.

 

[DBK]

Imagine the force when you hit at speed a speed bump you hadn't spotted? Your 25 kg suddenly become perhaps 50 or 100 kg.

I would look to support something, whether a frame or a sheet, from the floor if that can be done.

 

[Raul]

Phenolic ply from the floor glued and screwed if possible, if not possible screws, just puraflex or CT1 on the back of the ply. As DBK says vibration and potholes will accentuate the weight.

 

[PeteMallorca]

Imagine the force when you hit at speed a speed bump you hadn't spotted? Your 25 kg suddenly become perhaps 50 or 100 kg.

I would look to support something, whether a frame or a sheet, from the floor if that can be done.

Thanks DBK,

I completely appreciate what you are saying. That's what worried me, any downforce will multiply that weight and screwed to a panel build for light weight and insulation, isn't going to last 5 minutes.

I'll gave to do some searching for any light weight board, that's substantial enough to take that kind of weight screwed into it. 1 item is fitted with 5 screws abd weighs 19kg. That would be an expensive and dangerous accident.

Thanks

 

[PeteMallorca]

Phenolic ply from the floor glued and screwed if possible, if not possible screws, just puraflex or CT1 on the back of the ply. As DBK says vibration and potholes will accentuate the weight.

Thanks Raul,

I'll check out that ply, is it light weight?

I will have to bridge the propane cupboard but I could beef it up low down and then glue and screw to the side.

Unless I can find another place to mount everything, while keeping the weight down. I've never been so conscious of a couple of kilos before .

Thanks

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[MisterB]

As I mentioned earlier, vans carry far more than 25kgs on their sides with no problems, using an external 'skeleton' frame

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

The sheet carried down to the floor/ suitable structural base could have an arch cut out of the middle, like a bridge, this would help reduce the weight. Or core a series of regular holes out of the sheet, again this would reduce the weight and spread the load. Do you need to lose any wires in the wall before adding the sheet? If so, lots of measuring, and measurements as to their exact location .
Mike.

 

[pappajohn]

Thanks Raul,

I'll check out that ply, is it light weight?

It isn't lightweight.
You normally find it in the bottom of trailers as it's hard wearing and fully waterproof

 

[TheBig1]

First things first, 25kg up high is more of an issue than 25kg down low

Get a piece of lightweight board and mount captive nuts in the back, so you can bolt the gear on. Then bond that to the inner skin. Nothing would move that in normal use

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[TheBig1]

I get that some people may think the OP is talking about mounting stuff on the outside wall, not to the inner skin

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

What's the existing surface, 4mm fibre board? If so a quality 6mm ply board bonded to the existing will be more than adequate, also easy to put a finished surface on to.
Mike.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

I get that some people may think the OP is talking about mounting stuff on the outside wall, not to the inner skin

That'll make it squeeze down some of them west country lanes
Mike

 

[PeteMallorca]

It isn't lightweight.
You normally find it in the bottom of trailers as it's hard wearing and fully waterproof

Thanks pappajohn...

 

[PeteMallorca]

As I mentioned earlier, vans carry far more than 25kgs on their sides with no problems, using an external 'skeleton' frame

That's true MisterB. Even the ladder at the back, is bolted through, with a steel bar across both bolts.

 

[PeteMallorca]

The sheet carried down to the floor/ suitable structural base could have an arch cut out of the middle, like a bridge, this would help reduce the weight. Or core a series of regular holes out of the sheet, again this would reduce the weight and spread the load. Do you need to lose any wires in the wall before adding the sheet? If so, lots of measuring, and measurements as to their exact location .
Mike.

Thanks BouncyBoatFolk,

That makes sense. I hadn't planned on hiding wires behind it but now that you mention it, it could help..

Thanks.

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[PeteMallorca]

First things first, 25kg up high is more of an issue than 25kg down low

Get a piece of lightweight board and mount captive nuts in the back, so you can bolt the gear on. Then bond that to the inner skin. Nothing would move that in normal use

FOUR PRONGED T NUTS CAPTIVE THREADED INSERTS FOR WOOD FURNITURE M4 M5 M6 M8 Zinc | eBay

Easy to install and use T-Nuts simply requiring knocking in to a pre-drilled hole for the ability to add a thread to your application. The T-Nut Four-Pronged T-Shirt Nuts are made of high quality carbon steel.

www.ebay.co.uk

Is that meant to be the weight - 25kg, or the value of the equipment?

Kg... my error.

 

[PeteMallorca]

First things first, 25kg up high is more of an issue than 25kg down low

Get a piece of lightweight board and mount captive nuts in the back, so you can bolt the gear on. Then bond that to the inner skin. Nothing would move that in normal use

FOUR PRONGED T NUTS CAPTIVE THREADED INSERTS FOR WOOD FURNITURE M4 M5 M6 M8 Zinc | eBay

Easy to install and use T-Nuts simply requiring knocking in to a pre-drilled hole for the ability to add a thread to your application. The T-Nut Four-Pronged T-Shirt Nuts are made of high quality carbon steel.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks TheBig1,

That's a good idea.

Thanks

 

[PeteMallorca]

What's the existing surface, 4mm fibre board? If so a quality 6mm ply board bonded to the existing will be more than adequate, also easy to put a finished surface on to.
Mike.

Thanks Mike,

Yes, it's about 3mm or 4mm and then the foam core.