I didnt want to do it!

[gypo]

Ive just renewed my solar panels on the van. I did have semi-flexi panels on there (the second lot) which failed, the manufacturers say it was from over heating as the are not ventilated properly, they replaced them twice.
So I fitted the ridged (proper panels) this meant I had to self-tap some brackets onto the roof, I really didnt want to drill the roof but didnt have much roof to sikaflex them on. I put plenty of sikaflex under the brackets prior to screwing them down and will cover the bolt heads with IDL non-drying bedding sealant.
hopefully this should do the job.
Anyone else had to screw there brackets to the roof and if so any issues?
Thanks
G

 

[exwindsurfer]

I used 24 self tapping bolts to fix my four 100watt panels to my roof with no probs used sikaflex as well .

 

[IanH]

Ive just renewed my solar panels on the van. I did have semi-flexi panels on there (the second lot) which failed, the manufacturers say it was from over heating as the are not ventilated properly, they replaced them twice.
So I fitted the ridged (proper panels) this meant I had to self-tap some brackets onto the roof, I really didnt want to drill the roof but didnt have much roof to sikaflex them on. I put plenty of sikaflex under the brackets prior to screwing them down and will cover the bolt heads with IDL non-drying bedding sealant.
hopefully this should do the job.
Anyone else had to screw there brackets to the roof and if so any issues?
Thanks
G

Hi

I have a problem with your description of your semi flexible solar panels. By definition these HAVE to be glued to the roof surface, so cannot have any possible ventilation. I am amazed they said that and even more amazed they replaced them, far less twice!

Can you tell me the supplier name of these, also, what is the construction of your van roof, sounds like metal? Is the roof highly insulated? Is it (surely not) painted black? Just interested, my semi flex panel is glued down and has been totally trouble free, indeed, when replacing this Mh the new one will also have glued down semi flex panels as well.

Thanks, in advance, for your reply.
IanH

 

[Obanboy666]

I used 24 self tapping bolts to fix my four 100watt panels to my roof with no probs used sikaflex as well .

Same here, no problems to date.

 

[trevskoda]

I used fence clamps and bolted through f/glass roof but used sealant when doing my build ,though you could do the same and fit blanker plugs to inside roof under bolts in case you require to remove the lot at some time down the line.

 

[gypo]

Hi

I have a problem with your description of your semi flexible solar panels. By definition these HAVE to be glued to the roof surface, so cannot have any possible ventilation. I am amazed they said that and even more amazed they replaced them, far less twice!

Can you tell me the supplier name of these, also, what is the construction of your van roof, sounds like metal? Is the roof highly insulated? Is it (surely not) painted black? Just interested, my semi flex panel is glued down and has been totally trouble free, indeed, when replacing this Mh the new one will also have glued down semi flex panels as well.

Thanks, in advance, for your reply.
IanH

Hi, I used to have a VW T25 that had a plastic roof, this had semi-flexi panels on it with no issues for a few years.
Now I have Ducato (silver in colour) with a metal roof. Over the last 3 yrs ive had 2 lots of 100w Bard flexi panels (bonded directly with siki-flex to the roof) that have failed.
The seller says that they should be fitted on the plastic brackets you can use to fit them so they are ventilated.

The second 2 I fitted I did this but still they failed as they are pretty much still touching the roof, they were fitted for about 18 months.
They said they are mainly designed for fitting on boats that are fibreglass.
The company was Items in bestECOshop store on eBay ! really helpful people and no issues when I had a problem.
Im no expert, I do know what im doing when it comes to fitting panels so know they were all fitted correctly, as for the above explanation im just passing on what they said, after all there must have been an issue for them to change them with no quibble
Cheers
G

 

[oppy]

I fitted a solar panel with guidance from the lovely Channa similar to this 100W solar panel kit monocrystalline for boat caravan motorhome 12v 20A Dual | eBay. The mounting brackets are stuck to the roof with some gunge (suggestions are available), and although my method does not allow adequate air flow (according to some of our experts)----it works. because the flexible type tend to be fitted directly to the surface, they just boil in really hot weather

 

[gypo]

I fitted a solar panel with guidance from the lovely Channa similar to this 100W solar panel kit monocrystalline for boat caravan motorhome 12v 20A Dual | eBay. The mounting brackets are stuck to the roof with some gunge (suggestions are available), and although my method does not allow adequate air flow (according to some of our experts)----it works. because the flexible type tend to be fitted directly to the surface, they just boil in really hot weather

Mine first started to play up when we were in sunny France, when it was sunny they would go to open circuit, when the sun started to go down or when we were driving they would then sometimes work.
G

 

[mistericeman]

I've used 8mm self drilling Tec screws to fix my solar/roof box to top of our Transit jumbo with no problems....
Just a blob of Sikaflex to seal and aid grip to roof.

 

[exwindsurfer]

this is my set up .

 

[edina]

I did the same as you Gypo, sikaflex under the brackets, then self tappers tightened to leave approx 2mm bed. No problems to date!

 

[gypo]

View attachment 51683

this is my set up .

Plenty of power there

 

[Deleted member 9849]

Some interesting comments on this thread about the merits of semi fixed solar panels,some people have no problems with them and yet others like the OP have no end of trouble.It's basic physics that a motorhome roof is not going to be a very good heat sink when one of these panels is glued directly to it with no ventilation gap for cooling.Having said that there are some semi flexible panels that give years of trouble free service which makes me suspect that there must be some quality issues-perhaps some of the cheap e bay panels are of inferior build quality.

 

[gypo]

Good point you have Steve. The two sets of semi flexi panels that failed on my roof were both biard panels. The second ones were a newer design, Best Eco said this was to try and combat the issue.
G

 

[Silver sprinter]

I used fence clamps and bolted through f/glass roof but used sealant when doing my build ,though you could do the same and fit blanker plugs to inside roof under bolts in case you require to remove the lot at some time down the line.

How clean is that roof, oh so good, only dirty people wash a roof that good,!!!!:banana: