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Solar panel remounting
Hi gang.
I'm in the process of resealing my LD roof.
My LD has two solar panels. The panels are mounted with very little clearance from the panels to the roof.
I cleaned out a ton of debris beneath the panels. I really don't want to mess with moving the panels but trying to remove the debris is a pain.
What suggestion might you have for raising the panels.

Thanks!
2002 30' IB

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #1

Solar panels are mounted with little clearance, usually an inch or less.. This helps prevent tree branches from getting under them, which can cause interesting problems.  I clean under the panels using a hose and pistol nozzle.
New panel mounts are available online but most will not raise the panes.

Your choice is to either find taller mounts, make new mounts or raise the existing mounts by removing them and then raising them by placing plastic spacer blocks under them.
https://www.amazon.com/Happara-Polyethylene-Engineering-Rectangular-Improvement/dp/B0CP399YR4/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?adgrpid=1346902310184879&content-id=amzn1.sym.76d54fcc-2362-404d-ab9b-b0653e2b2239%3Aamzn1.sym.76d54fcc-2362-404d-ab9b-b0653e2b2239&cv_ct_cx=uhmw%2Bplastic&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AVhdlQUjWbo-2Ii2A_JYFnpCUP9yt4rqdBsUpvQC2EQ5j9xUGdUy0IRDGqiZEc6P.7XTc5UKw05inHg00lZoJs3ji3ByIlQ9KWz7KsSWoKio&dib_tag=se&hvadid=84181633388101&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=79457&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-84181743706167%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=1608_13458094&keywords=uhmw%2Bplastic&msclkid=2d057133c4081a209ac016159e3ab63d&pd_rd_i=B0CP399YR4&pd_rd_r=edfb16b3-645a-40bf-ba4f-f53cdc31a67c&pd_rd_w=X7Yhj&pd_rd_wg=jniis&pf_rd_p=76d54fcc-2362-404d-ab9b-b0653e2b2239&pf_rd_r=PD8BC4M7JJA9B13FA5EW&qid=1730566717&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=1-1-6024b2a3-78e4-4fed-8fed-e1613be3bcce-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1\

Whatever you do to raise the panels, they will still collect debris under them.

Larry

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Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #2
"What suggestion might you have for raising the panels."

NADAZE

You may want to consider the type of panel mounts that allow the panels to be inclined. They are designed to allow you to tilt the panels for best sun alignment! By tilting them it would be much easier to remove any collection of debris.   ;)

Sorry I don't know of a source.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #3
Thanks Larry. I was thinking about installing screens around the base to help prevent debris from getting under the panels.
Do you recall the mounting brackets?
2002 30' IB

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #4
Thanks Larry. I was thinking about installing screens around the base to help prevent debris from getting under the panels.
Do you recall the mounting brackets?
2002 30' IB

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #5

Hi Mark;  A lot depends on what brand of panels you have and generally how old they are. Not all Lazy Dazes have a built in ladder. The factory discontinued them for a few years (early 2000's I think) because of insurance liability concerns. I think that consideration was unpopular, and was restarted with just the ladder and not the 'tie down' luggage rail.
   Your older 2002 may not have come with original solar panels. You are bound to run under branches if you camp in tree areas. Most of my run-ins with trees have been in older residential areas. You don't want your panels any higher than needed, and you want to not have random branches get underneath a panel.
   Panels I've seen have small 'S' shaped brackets, called 'Z' brackets, fastened down to the roof with screws. Typically four, near corners. You may be able to unscrew these from panel edges, and remove the panels for cleaning, without disrupting the brackets attached to the roof. Solar Panel Z-Bracket Mount for Mounting Solar Panels – Windy Nation Inc 
  Panels work better when cool. Electrons jump across the PN junction when hot and the panels lose efficiency. So you want to keep air circulating underneath. 
  After 22 years I replaced my first set of panels with higher efficiency panels. (the old panels seals had failed, letting in dirt, water and growing plants!)  The new, less expensive panels, just $90 each, (PERC cells); three, covered just a slightly larger amount of roof and doubled the power. They were better built and lighter.  https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monocrystalline-Solar-Compact-Design/dp/B07GF5JY35/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12B4F6EUVB8CC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bL0odBbgRUq8JKqzxuybTBc6Vjbznot0IOZ6eRGZ8bP9MkMvZd9KtC3BKCPXYE5Us13VhcZHHNmDurhX_D39Ohfgx8N9DxzIW6uqKxS5eQWoXPJEN232EGsf549NK5dgc_cKZruz-r67CeHCJLNTu9PzItxAKFmyCq89FQb8cmCURM-4QNVJPkqdXfSwKsznKydgDzaSxtt0zTj1BEUaM7Q-K5XkOr82k9ztpBk3Ykk.7qkU8lyIzRgYu-Z2WEHKHwrB0brDdYdDTpL2O0bZbZg&dib_tag=se&keywords=renogy%2B100w%2Bsolar%2Bpanels&qid=1730573019&sprefix=renogy%2B100w%2Bsolar%2Bpanels%2Caps%2C251&sr=8-1&ufe=INHOUSE_INSTALLMENTS%3AUS_IHI_3M_HARDLINES_AUTOMATED&th=1    Underneath the old panels, never cleaned, it was dirty but not terrible.
   I can raise my new panels to clean, but mostly to access the wiring hidden underneath. 
   Unless you plan to be on your roof a lot, the added complexity of tilting panels is an unused and more expensive feature. (IMO)    RonB    

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RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #6
Thanks Larry. I was thinking about installing screens around the base to help prevent debris from getting under the panels.
Do you recall the mounting brackets?

Most solar brackets appear to have a similar amount of lift and are attached to the panels before they are screwed to the roof.
Amazon.com : solar panel z clips

Ron's suggestion to switch to tilting mounts would allow better access to the area under the panels. It would be a lot of work to cure a problem that isn't serious, IMO.
A little debris accumulating under the panels isn't going to cause much harm, if any. I would assume everyone who stores their lds outdoors has leaves and things living under their solar panels.

Screens could be used to fill the gaps or something more solid could be used, such as thick foam weatherstripping, with a sticky backing.

Larry
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #7
Hi Ron. Is changing out panels an involved project or just disconnect old panels then plug in new?
2002 30' IB

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #8
RE: cleaning under solar panels
Living in the PNW all sort of stuff accumulates/grows under panels.   I just power hose out under the panels - not a 'real' issue imho. 

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #9
Hi Ron. Is changing out panels an involved project or just disconnect old panels then plug in new?

Newer panels are generally smaller than the originals, assuming the wattage is the same. This means the mount's screw holes will be in new locations and the old screw holes will need sealing.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #10
This makes me glad that over decade ago I had my solar panels installed with tilting brackets, even though I don't recall ever using them. They didn't cost much more, but are a bit raised so don't accumulate debris, and it's all easy to clean.
Kristin in Alaska
1997 MB

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #11
"... or raise the existing mounts by removing them and then raising them by placing plastic spacer blocks under them."

Just bear in mind that HDPE (high density polyethylene) of the type Larry mentioned doesn't bond well to adhesives. In other words, you're not going to want to mount using 3M VHB tape or (I suspect) 3M 5200 adhesive, the way many of us have done. To be safe, you'll probably need to screw down through the blocks into the roof itself.

AM Solar used to sell tall stainless steel mounting brackets for solar panels. I used them on my Airstream a few years ago. The only trouble was that they were expensive--a set of four cost as much as a 100 watt solar panel!--and more to the point, AM Solar is no longer in business. :-(

You could always fall back on the method some of us have used: buy aluminum angle and make your own brackets. With 3" x 3" angle you can get three or four inches of elevation.

X
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #12
Hi Mark; And other contemplating adding solar panels on the roof.  Tim Reeve, (T&F), one of our members here mounted aluminum Unistrut on his roof.  They make mounting brackets that slide into the Unistrut to attach items, including a good bracket for solar panels.  He has 1 kilowatt of solar on a Midbath. So about 170 pounds spread out.
   If a panel were to malfunction or get broken, a new one might be a different size, but with this mounting system, just by sliding the bracket, it would accommodate different panels. Also the panels don't stick up much, and can be moved to allow cleaning.  Solar Upgrade  

 For Mark; New panels use MC4 connectors, but would have to be hand wired on to your existing wires. Your controller might have been added by LD in 2002, or afterwards. You may have a Heliotrope HPV-22, which would still work, but the BlueSky Energy 3000i is a MPPT controller, newer and more efficient. Most of us still use that controller, if the LD came with that.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #13
Andy is right about the AM solar foot mounts.  We decided to cut 2" aluminum angle metal to 2" lengths and put VBD tape on the foot that makes contact with the roof.  That is about six times the area that the AM solar foot had for its VBD tape all at a fraction of the cost.  We also added rivnuts to the panels so a bolt with a handle could be used with the feet and then allow for removal to tilt for a better angle to the sun or access to clean under the panels.


     Karen~Liam
       98 ~ MB
         NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #14

"... put VBD tape on the foot"

I assume you meant 3M VHB tape?

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Solar panel remounting
Reply #15
We did with 3m VBD tape on our two front 100 watt panels that can tilt with the 3"X 2" L metal feet.  They have been up there for four years now and are holding up well.  I just flipped them over so I could wash the roof under them a few days ago.  I do check them once and a while since I did not bolt them down, just the VBD tape.


    Karen~Liam
       98 ~ MB
          NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags