attachment of solar panels September 08, 2018, 09:01:16 am Hi Group;Will be leaving Nova Scotia in two weeks and headed West with a stop in NYS to see grandkids. First trip west in 3 years as we have been merely going to FL . I am concerned about my two solar panels which were attached 10 years ago using 3M glue strips. At 78 I do not go on the roof much. If I go up I want to add screws for safety. Any suggestions? I assume a short screw should enter the plywood sheet under the Aluminum roof. If the panels feel secure should I leave alone? I do agree that if something is not broke leave it alone! On the other hand I do not want to see my two panels fly away...Hope all is well in RV land. Mike Lewis
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #1 – September 08, 2018, 09:32:00 am If you would feel better with screws - do it. We have 110,000 miles and no screws. However, I do check each year to ensure the 3M pads are covered. 5200 or the like. If you put screws in cover them with 5200 or the like. A #10 3/8" screw should do it.
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #2 – September 08, 2018, 10:38:37 am "If the panels feel secure should I leave alone?"There's an old axiom that says; If it ain't broke, don't fix it!Said in other terms (pun intended) Don't screw with it!
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #3 – September 08, 2018, 01:14:20 pm I am interested in researching this topic - what is the exact type of 3M VHB tape being used for this application?3M VHB industrial tapes
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #4 – September 08, 2018, 01:49:39 pm While VHS is strong stuff, it can fail.AM Solar stopped using just tape years ago, adding screws for security.I would add a screw to each foot and then top coat each foot in polyurethane sealant.For new installations I glue the feet to the roof with poly, add two screws per foot and finish with a poly top coat.Larry 1 Likes
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #5 – September 08, 2018, 03:21:44 pm When I put my panels on, I used VHB tape on the bottom of brackets.Then made small overlays of Eternabond to cover the top of the bracketand a portion of the roof. Been 8 years now and they haven't loosened up any.Not putting holes in my roof if I can help it.
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #6 – September 08, 2018, 05:01:50 pm Quote from: Jota - September 08, 2018, 03:21:44 pmNot putting holes in my roof if I can help it.Your LD was delivered new, from the Mothership, with hundreds of holes in the roof.How they are sealed is what counts.Larry
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #7 – September 09, 2018, 08:24:54 am Does anyone know the thickness of the plywood sheeting that is used on the roof?Does the mothership bond the aluminum sheeting to that plywood or is the aluminum sheet free to float?
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #8 – September 09, 2018, 08:53:44 am Quote from: Kentuckian - September 09, 2018, 08:24:54 amDoes anyone know the thickness of the plywood sheeting that is used on the roof?Does the mothership bond the aluminum sheeting to that plywood or is the aluminum sheet free to float?It floats, allowing it to contract/expand with heat/cold.Chris 2 Likes
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #9 – September 09, 2018, 03:14:44 pm Thanks to those who have replied to my attachment question. At age 78 I am also getting forgetful amongst regular aches and pains. Jota mentioned using Eternabond tape to cover the feet...My god! It turns out so did I! I know I covered the seams with the tape about 11 years ago. Well, somewhere along the line I also used the tape to cover the solar feet! Alas, not all of them. I have two panels and 6 of the feet are covered and look rock steady. So some day soon, before we depart Nova Scotia, I will cover the two remaining feet and feel comfortable that the two panels will remain steady on our forthcoming 8000 mile trek across the country. Thanks Jota and others!!!Mike 3 Likes
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #10 – August 06, 2020, 08:06:08 pm Thanks for all your suggestions/experience. I installed 3 panels today. Mothership's guidance - "don't use screws, no telling where there is a wire bundle". They wouldn't specify how thick plywood is. I went ahead. VBH tape under the mounting feet. 3/4" stainless screws (they all gripped). Eternabond over mounting feet (plus about 6" on each side).I also created an air dam against the front facing edge of the forward panels. It was a 2"x2"x1/16" aluminum right angle. Got at HD and my chop saw went through like butter (just left wood rip blade on). Fastened same as mounting feet above. I expect there will be less lift under the front of panel while going forward (not too worried about backing up ).
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #11 – August 06, 2020, 09:00:34 pm Quote from: mbirnbaum - August 06, 2020, 08:06:08 pm. I installed 3 panels today. Mothership's guidance - "don't use screws, no telling where there is a wire bundle". They wouldn't specify how thick plywood is. I went ahead. VBH tape under the mounting feet. 3/4" stainless screws (they all gripped). Eternabond over mounting feet (plus about 6" on each side).I also created an air dam against the front facing edge of the forward panels. It was a 2"x2"x1/16" aluminum right angle. Got at HD and my chop saw went through like butter (just left wood rip blade on). Fastened same as mounting feet above. I expect there will be less lift under the front of panel while going forward (not too worried about backing up ).3/4" Stainless Steel sheet metal screws have been my choice for fastening panels for two decades, along with bedding the feet in 5200 FCWhen installing our forward solar panels, right on the nose, I was concerned thatl a tree branch could get under a panel and rip the panel and roof up. Preventing wind noise was another consideration. Using the same extruded aluminum extrusions as yours, to box in the front of the panels, has prevent any problems.Larry
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #12 – August 07, 2020, 12:15:44 am "what is the exact type of 3M VHB tape being used for this application?"After reading 3M's spec sheets, I chose #5952 VHB tape because it's recommended for use on painted surfaces.
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #13 – August 07, 2020, 09:31:21 am Quote from: mbirnbaum - August 06, 2020, 08:06:08 pmI also created an air dam against the front facing edge of the forward panels. It was a 2"x2"x1/16" aluminum right angle. Got at HD and my chop saw went through like butter (just left wood rip blade on). Fastened same as mounting feet above. I expect there will be less lift under the front of panel while going forward (not too worried about backing up ).As a complete aside (because I'm that type of guy (smile)) --- according to Bernoulli's principle lift is only a 'problem' if the wind going over upper surface is longer then the lower surface.glen
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #14 – August 07, 2020, 11:24:48 am Quote from: colddog - August 07, 2020, 09:31:21 amAs a complete aside (because I'm that type of guy (smile)) --- according to Bernoulli's principle lift is only a 'problem' if the wind going over upper surface is longer then the lower surface.The small gaps, under the panels, can make noises that sound like a coven of witches congregating on the roof, usually a serious threat....unless they are good witches.Larry 1 Likes
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #15 – August 07, 2020, 02:32:20 pm Here’s an AM Solar video on their approach to panel installation. https://youtu.be/mXiNLCWPPkAI was just up on the roof of our RB to clean the 6 panels. As I made my way around the roof, I noticed the areas where the old panels had been installed. The old mounting areas had been built up with sealant. I would think this was done to cover old mounting hardware or screw/bolt holes. I didn’t think LD bolted the factory installed panels to the roof. I know AM Solar does not. So far so good. Sunny days everyone.Kent 1 Likes
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #16 – August 08, 2020, 04:11:54 am Hi Kent. I think LD does use screws for the solar panels. After all they put plenty of other holes in the roof. I think the solar installers prefer to avoid potential lawsuits for roof leaks, even if it isn't their fault. Unless the roof rips off in the wind, it would be hard to say they caused a leak with no holes. RonB
Re: attachment of solar panels Reply #17 – August 08, 2020, 05:40:24 am Quote from: Larry W - August 07, 2020, 11:24:48 amThe small gaps, under the panels, can make noises that sound like a coven of witches congregating on the roof, usually a serious threat....unless they are good witches.LarryLarry,Thanks for making this "crone" giggle! Juanita
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