Solar panel removal (2 Viewers)

[Steleybrown]

I have a Ford Transit Custom Wellhouse LUX XL camper with a solar panel glued to the roof. This panel has stopped working with no output. Have any Funsters had experience of removing a panel off the roof and if so was the roof damaged?

 

[EuroTrotters]

Yes and yes, I had to scrape it with a heated scraper.

But is aluminium, it’s old and I cannot see it

I have the new panel up now

 

[Two on Tour]

I have a Ford Transit Custom Wellhouse LUX XL camper with a solar panel glued to the roof. This panel has stopped working with no output. Have any Funsters had experience of removing a panel off the roof and if so was the roof damaged?

Is it going to be easier to leave the old panel in place and fit a new panel over the top of the old panel ?

 

[Tonks]

I have a Ford Transit Custom Wellhouse LUX XL camper with a solar panel glued to the roof. This panel has stopped working with no output. Have any Funsters had experience of removing a panel off the roof and if so was the roof damaged?

Yes. Or possibly no!
My panel (and several others with the same batch code) failed late last year. It was removed and replaced this spring. However I didn't do the removal/replacement! Hence the 'no', as doing the work wasn't my personal experience. The supplier did an excellent job and you would never know there had been a previous one taken off. I was concerned that the new one would be stuck on over the old one, but that was not the case. The roof in question is an SCA 194 pop top.

 

[Steve and Denise]

I have a Ford Transit Custom Wellhouse LUX XL camper with a solar panel glued to the roof. This panel has stopped working with no output. Have any Funsters had experience of removing a panel off the roof and if so was the roof damaged?

Best method for sika removal seems to be a multi tool with a straight blade ie no teeth on it cuts very well.

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[Steleybrown]

My dilemma is do I get a new panel on the roof or a foldable for outside. I have no idea where the cable goes through the roof.

 

[pappajohn]

Every chance there's a hole cut under the panel where the cables enter.
The cables will then be above the roof lining.
You will have no idea how big the hole is so a new panel over the old would be my first option.

 

[ivorantony]

I have removed several over the years, I use a angled pallet knife with a small sawing action to cut through the Sikaflex, it’s time consuming but worked for me,
Obviously once the panel is removed you need to clean the roof of any remnants before replacing the solar panel,

 

[Tigger-Tim]

Stick on panels do seem to have a short life.

 

[andyjc]

Cheese wire see Nigel Ivy's video about 3 mins in:

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[Terry]

Steve and Denise has given you the best and easiest answer to getting your panel off. I used to use a sharp filling knife for years then about 8/10 years ago got a cordless multi tool which I ground the teeth off an old blade using my belt sander then sharpened a edge on it. It now takes less than 2 mins and no blisters on my shoving hand

 

[RogerIvy]

I have a Ford Transit Custom Wellhouse LUX XL camper with a solar panel glued to the roof. This panel has stopped working with no output. Have any Funsters had experience of removing a panel off the roof and if so was the roof damaged?

Depends on the panel and how it was fixed.
If fully flexible, probably will damage the roof - can it be left in place and a rigid placed over it?
If rigid and Sikaflex was used then it’s hard work but doable with piano wire (with hopefully no damage to the roof).

 

[treblid]

Cheese wire see Nigel Ivy's video

I have used the cheese wire method on 2 semi flexible panels that were directly stuck down on vans with many strips of Sikaflex adhesive. It's surprisingly easy to saw through the adhesive. You then need to scrap the residue off and clean up with solvent.

 

[treblid]

This is the type of cheese wire kit I used: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B096LSMJV3?tag=mhf04-21