Solar Panel Fixing

[Mtbcol]

Morning all.
Just fixed our solar panel to our van with Sikaflex as supplied by the kit supplier.

I'm aware there should be a gap under panels to aid in cooling, but just wondering if we should have some kind of "spoiler" along the front edge to help prevent any possible lifting at motorway speeds?

What are your thoughts friends?
Cheers
Colin.

 

[RichardHelen262]

It wouldn’t do any harm, and would certainly help

 

[Toffeecat]

I thought about that myself. Suppose i could knock one up with some plastic.

 

[trevskoda]

The bond is only as good as the surface its on, built through, no dipped spoiler required as you are creating a lifting wing by doing so.

 

[Mtbcol]

Thanks both. Yeah I thought about something simple, maybe just a length of White plastic pipe the same dismete as the gap sikaflexed just under the front edge to fill the gap?

 

[Mtbcol]

The bond is only as good as the surface its on, built through, no dipped spoiler required as you are creating a lifting wing by doing so.View attachment 100095

It would be to direct wind over the top rather than it being fixed to the panel thus potentially aiding lift as you say.

 

[trevskoda]

It would be to direct wind over the top rather than it being fixed to the panel thus potentially aiding lift as you say.

Air required under it, fit nothing, less drag to, look at f one rear wings, airfoil upside down to force the car down, seems strange but model builders will know this.

 

[SquirrellCook]

The bond is only as good as the surface its on, built through, no dipped spoiler required as you are creating a lifting wing by doing so.View attachment 100095

It's good to see how much your van has progressed in 10 years, makes me feel so much better about mine Wind tunnel pictures would be good too.

 

[molly 2]

.I vote for a wind deflector and screws , rare but they have been known fly off .

 

[Mtbcol]

If any ones panel is going to fly off it'll be ours....were lucky like that!

 

[Mtbcol]

I see some companies sell panels with the same kind of idea I have, already fitted to front and rear of the panel. How does that fit in with the discussion that none are required, and may potentially worsen the situation? Just to reiterate, it would not be a "wing aerofoil" or anything like attached to the panel, but basically a round piece of pipe in the gap under the front of the panel, can't see how that would generate lift.....I build and fly model planes and helicopters as one of my hobbies by the way.......mind you, they do crash sometimes

 

[trevskoda]

.I vote for a wind deflector and screws , rare but they have been known fly off .

Any deflector would have to be curved up and not down, most folk don't understand aerodynamics, low-pressure under the foil and high above creating a suction above it.
By fitting a foil dipping down at front you are in fact creating more lift.

 

[edina]

If you have bonded it properly to the roof, you don't need anything, in fact the airflow will keep it cooler.

 

[trevskoda]

If you have bonded it properly to the roof, you don't need anything, in fact the airflow will keep it cooler.

Some have taken off due to being fixed to a painted surface, not good engineering, bolt through to be sure.
Mind you the wooden wing sheeting was glued on to frames of the D mossy ww2 fighter.

 

[Nabsim]

Some have taken off due to being fixed to a painted surface, not good engineering, bolt through to be sure.
Mind you the wooden wing sheeting was glued on to frames of the D mossy ww2 fighter.

Indeed they are still glued together

 

[molly 2]

So is that superglue I spilt on the table , I know all about aerodynamics because I got a huge spoiler on my Corsa

 

[Mtbcol]

Mines glued to the painted roof ( which I keyed with emery paper first). Well, we'll take it down the A14 ext weekend and give it s try as it is. Look out for any news bulletins next Saturday

 

[Mtbcol]

So is that superglue I spilt on the table , I know all about aerodynamics because I got a huge spoiler on my Corsa

I had a couple on my scooby.....we must be aerodnamic experts

 

[Compo]

hi i always sikaflex and screw panels screws hold panel in place and spread out sikaflex then finish off with a blob of sikaflex over screws to seal them

 

[trevskoda]

Indeed they are still glued together

Those that lasted, wood rots/warps over time.