Fix solar panel to roof

Flamenca

Guest
I have just bought a 120 Watt solar panel and now need to figure out the best way of fixing it to the roof of my Hymer. I have heard mention of people simply using silicone to 'glue' it to the roof. Is this satisfactory?
 
NO! silicon is not an adhesive

http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums...-brackets-installing-panels-part-ii-roof.html

mikkidee-2-L.jpg
 
Last edited:
Many thanks for the detailed information. Certainly looks like the 'proper job'.
 
Flamenca said:
I have just bought a 120 Watt solar panel and now need to figure out the best way of fixing it to the roof of my Hymer. I have heard mention of people simply using silicone to 'glue' it to the roof. Is this satisfactory?
Click to expand...

I have fitted two panels on my van, rather than drilling holes in my van i used Sikaflex Adhesive to glue angle plates down then drill an bolt solar panel to angle plates, so solar pannels can be removed.
 
and123wills said:
I have fitted two panels on my van, rather than drilling holes in my van i used Sikaflex Adhesive to glue angle plates down then drill an bolt solar panel to angle plates, so solar pannels can be removed.
Click to expand...
i second this method as long as the surfaces are cleaned and degreased and a light sanding sikaflex is plenty.i would use longer legths of ally angle to get a larger glue area,you can get the angle from screwfix,b and q stuff is a bit thin,look under thresholds and door furniture
 
and123wills said:
I have fitted two panels on my van, rather than drilling holes in my van i used Sikaflex Adhesive to glue angle plates down then drill an bolt solar panel to angle plates, so solar pannels can be removed.
Click to expand...

did you do that at the start as in iam wondering about solar but a little in the future its just wiring it all in am worrying about havin to take bits of van to bits???gonna see how we get on wilding on two 119 batts first
 
Rivets are so much easier and can be drilled out in a jiffy whilst bolts require two spanners and can come loose or cause corrosion through dissimilar metals.
I use alloy angle 65mm long as my supplier cuts 12 out of a 1 metre length allowing for blade thickness.
 
don't worry about retro-fitting stuff i do it all the time,it's not so bad
 
Further to my fitting guide I now fit brackets inwards as it looks neater and sometimes there just isn't enough room
CA08291217263891-L.jpg
 
As previous posters I used Sikaflex and after 3000 miles they are still there. A tip I picked up from this forum is to use cocktail sticks as spacers laid across the aluminium angle to ensure you get a 2mm bed of adhesive. My normal reaction would be just to push adhesive down but if its too thin a coat then you may not get the same grip
 
A tip I picked up from this forum is to use cocktail sticks as spacers laid across the aluminium angle to ensure you get a 2mm bed of adhesive.
Click to expand...

Solid spacers need to be removed and that can be difficult if you misjudge the timing.

Similar trick is to use narrow strips of rubber car tube as a spacer. The rubber has similar compressibility to the adhesive so can be left in place.
 
I used a product similar to Sikaflex called Soudaflex 40FC Soudaflex 40FC Polyeurethane Adhesive

Mine's stayed put in over 12k miles. It's less expensive and in other applications it's proved excellent for durability and strength.

Does anyone earth the frame?? Mine has an earthing point on the frame.
 
Just fitted mine last week,Screwfix have Sika EBT on offer at the moment, pictures of fitting are on my build blog.
 
sola panels with fitting kits

Ebay now sell panels with complete fitting kit ,80w panel with plastic corner brackets ,wiring ect and adhesive about 160 quid or there abouts.
 
Has anybody tried sikaflexing the semiflexible type panels straight to the roof?
 
No more nails

I have fitted a 100w panel. I did drill the roof to insert locating screws, but also copious quantities of "No more nails". Filled the drill holes prior to inserting screws. The "no more nails" acts as a seal on the brackets and so far there is no sign of any water ingress even in the heaviest of rain. Led the cables down throught the wardrobe in existing ducting.Once again, copious quantities of "No more nails" around the entry gland, once again, perfectly dry.
Am looking for a suitable deflector panel to glue across the front, but don't think it's going to be very important.
 
No More Nails may do the job - but using a motorhome specific adhesive such as Sikaflex 512 is a better option.

It's designed for the job, and has a degree of 'flex' in it (unsurprisingly) which accommodates movement and flexing of the vehicle's outer skin.

It is absolutely not necessary to drill holes through the roof for fixing the panel. Just one hole for an entry gland is all that's required.

Don't save a few bob by using anything other than the right product for the job - it could be an expensive mistake.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top