Solar panel fixings

Chevy

Chevy

Joined
Jul 28, 2021
Posts
64
Likes collected
26
Location
Fobbing, UK
Funster No
83,039
MH
fiat ducato apache
Exp
Since 2019
Hi, I’m about to secure 2 rigid 60w solar panels to my auto trail Apache roof and I’m totally confused on what glue to use.
After researching for 2 hours can’t make my mind up .
Does anyone know if I use Sikaflex 512 which is now 522 suitable for the job ?
Kind regards
Chev
 
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Sikaflex 291i marine adhesive holding mine on.
They glue ocean going racing yachts together with it, so I'm pretty happy my solar panels with stay stuck.

Remember that if you do not prep the surfaces to be bonded together correctly, then there is a chance even the best adhesives could fail.
 
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Toolstation. Puraflex 40.
Recommended to me by a fellow funster. I have fitted a few panel / brackets with this and as good as Sika 👍
 
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Thankyou all for your recommendations, would still like to know if anyone has used the 522 👍
 
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I used 512 to stick down a 280w panel on my panel van with corner supports. No screws. Did 20k miles over 3 years with no issues.
 
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As far as I recall, I used 512 as a Solar Panel adhesive (stuck at the corners, without screws) in 2008 on our Laika and there was no hint of it letting go after 6 years, when we sold it.

On our present van, I used 252 (along both 670mm sides, without screws) and, after several storng attempts to pull it away, it still refuses to budge at all. If I were using 512/522, without screws, I'd use continuous aluminium angle and stick it along both sides, rather than used the plastic corner mounts.

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When I installed mine, foremost in my mind was that I did not want to be responsible for causing harm to anyone if the panel became detached from the roof whilst driving down the road, I used sikaflex 205 Akivator, followed by multi marine primer, then 292i adhesive and a mechanical fixing (rivnuts) overkill I know but I’m confident they will not detach.
 
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Jev88 said:
Another Puraflex40 recommendation.
Click to expand...
A cost effective solution from toolststion.
Used it for my 3 no problems. Also better shelf live than Sika flex product
Edit
Dont forget to clean roof a and brackets then wipe down with IPA
 
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Not sure what brackets you intend to use but i would 100% recommend using the full width aero ones... they are superb for a few reasons... one they are obviously aerodynamic if fitted lengthways so stops any worry of air getting underneath whilst travelling.... second they have a much larger footprint so you can use a good quality adhesive alone without screwing anything in to the roof...and finally you have the ability to slide out/remove the panel extremely easily for maintenance purposes...
 
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I use Stika 291i on my panels with aluminium brackets & 292i on my sat dish.

You don't say what brackets you are using if you use the plastic brackets you must use the correct grade of Stika most of the panels that fall off are on plastic brackets with the incorrect grade of adhesive used.
 
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the1andonly said:
A cost effective solution from toolststion.
Used it for my 3 no problems. Also better shelf live than Sika flex product
Edit
Dont forget to clean roof a and brackets then wipe down with IPA
Click to expand...
That seems like a waste of I P A to me can you use lager instead?
 
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Thank you all for your comments, as you can see a bit of a minefield with so many variants on the market🤨
I think the big important part here is the preparation that I will most certainly do, I have decided to go with Sikaflex 552 and will let you know how it goes.
Kind regards
Chev
 
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This what Ian at Cannock Resprays reccmmended for what it’s worth.

BOSTIK SIMSON ISR 70-03 MARINE ADHESIVE​

 
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Sikaflex 522 worked for me but "rough up" the plastic brackets with sand paper first to provide a key.
 
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Chevy said:
Thank you all for your comments, as you can see a bit of a minefield with so many variants on the market🤨
I think the big important part here is the preparation that I will most certainly do, I have decided to go with Sikaflex 552 and will let you know how it goes.
Kind regards
Chev
Click to expand...
I looked at the confusing array of Sikaflex options and decided instead to go with a builder friend's recommendation of CT1. I'm glad I did, it really is amazing stuff, I did rough up the plastic mounts with 120 grit and the adhesion is incredible, though I'm pretty sure it would be fine without. It has become pretty much my adhesive of choice, most recently I used it for sticking smooth aluminium together when I fabricated a box for the spare toilet cassette.
 
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One reason to "rough up" is to remove the silicon coating on plastic pieces to get them out of the molds once formed. I also give them a clean with isopropyl and allow to dry before applying with Sikaflex 522. Works for me.
 
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I put aluminium channel down on our roof, then bolted the solar panel down to that with 8mm bolts and channel nuts (zebs) will be an easy swap when it's time.
The padlocks are just a safety clip as the panel is hinged on the other side.

Screenshot_20210915-114852_Gallery.jpg
 
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