Tips or advice for mounts to mount solar panels on the vehicle roof.
briche said
08:04 PM May 27, 2013
Hi Jetj,
One of the most important aspects of mounting sola panels on a roof of a caravan or similar is that you leave at least 30 mm spacing between the panel and the roof to allow the panel have an air flow under the panel. If you do not do this the panel will get overheated and the panel will be derated by as much as 20 to 30 percent. If you get the right mounting brackets this aspect will be overcome. As mentioned Jay Car sell the brackets you need.
Hope that helps
Brian
-- Edited by briche on Monday 27th of May 2013 08:05:40 PM
-- Edited by briche on Monday 27th of May 2013 08:06:39 PM
vanman said
08:19 PM May 27, 2013
Ok this is what I have done.
I used 50x50 aluminium angle 180mm long. I used 3 lengths each side of a 95W panel. I secured the angle to the solar panel with galvanised self tapping screws 2 per bracket. The brackets were fitted to the solar panel so that there was a air gap beneath the panel when it was attached to the caravan roof. After fixing the brackets to the panels, I put the panels on the roof in the position that they will end up in. I then marked where the brackets would sit on the roof and removed the panels and thoroughly cleaned the brackets footprint. I then put a very generous amount of Sikaflex 11FC. This type of product is a constructional adhesive and wont let go. 2 years later and all 5 panels are still on the roof. No need to drill holes in the roof. You can make the aluminium brackets the length of the solar panel if you wish but I didn't feel that it was necessary. The van was wired for solar from the manufacturer from the roof into the front boot.
I hope this helps.
Regards Chris
-- Edited by vanman on Monday 27th of May 2013 08:22:10 PM
-- Edited by vanman on Tuesday 28th of May 2013 08:55:54 AM
jetj said
11:30 PM May 27, 2013
There seems to be quite a few different mounts for solar panels. Has anyone used a product that they would recommend. Appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Beth54 said
11:36 PM May 27, 2013
Good question. And also, can a mobile solar panel be fitted to the roof?
Cupie said
02:39 AM May 28, 2013
My neighbor made his own & stuck it down with one of the sicaflex products.
Put it between the roof AC & the awning side of the van.
He's due back in a couple of weeks from a trip round the block. Be interesting to see if it's still there.
Sharke said
02:46 AM May 28, 2013
I have used theese, http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HS8780 cheers Sharke
jetj said
05:02 AM May 28, 2013
Thanks for your replies, much appreciated.
Scotty01 said
05:45 AM May 28, 2013
I got my panels and all the mounts cables and regulator came with the kit, The mounts are plastic stuff and are glued to the roof with sikaflex product, seem to be holding very well and no holes in the roof to leak.
jetj said
06:11 AM May 28, 2013
Thanks Scotty, did you need to put the cables through the roof?
Scotty01 said
03:05 PM May 28, 2013
Jetj no I didnt have to Jayco in their wisdom had all the wiring in place. it's not as heavy as I would have done it but it works fine.
Hi Jetj,
One of the most important aspects of mounting sola panels on a roof of a caravan or similar is that you leave at least 30 mm spacing between the panel and the roof to allow the panel have an air flow under the panel. If you do not do this the panel will get overheated and the panel will be derated by as much as 20 to 30 percent. If you get the right mounting brackets this aspect will be overcome. As mentioned Jay Car sell the brackets you need.
Hope that helps
Brian
-- Edited by briche on Monday 27th of May 2013 08:05:40 PM
-- Edited by briche on Monday 27th of May 2013 08:06:39 PM
Ok this is what I have done.
I used 50x50 aluminium angle 180mm long. I used 3 lengths each side of a 95W panel. I secured the angle to the solar panel with galvanised self tapping screws 2 per bracket. The brackets were fitted to the solar panel so that there was a air gap beneath the panel when it was attached to the caravan roof. After fixing the brackets to the panels, I put the panels on the roof in the position that they will end up in. I then marked where the brackets would sit on the roof and removed the panels and thoroughly cleaned the brackets footprint. I then put a very generous amount of Sikaflex 11FC. This type of product is a constructional adhesive and wont let go. 2 years later and all 5 panels are still on the roof. No need to drill holes in the roof. You can make the aluminium brackets the length of the solar panel if you wish but I didn't feel that it was necessary. The van was wired for solar from the manufacturer from the roof into the front boot.
I hope this helps.
Regards Chris
-- Edited by vanman on Monday 27th of May 2013 08:22:10 PM
-- Edited by vanman on Tuesday 28th of May 2013 08:55:54 AM
There seems to be quite a few different mounts for solar panels. Has anyone used a product that they would recommend. Appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Good question. And also, can a mobile solar panel be fitted to the roof?
My neighbor made his own & stuck it down with one of the sicaflex products.
Put it between the roof AC & the awning side of the van.
He's due back in a couple of weeks from a trip round the block. Be interesting to see if it's still there.
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HS8780
cheers
Sharke
Thanks for your replies, much appreciated.
I got my panels and all the mounts cables and regulator came with the kit, The mounts are plastic stuff and are glued to the roof with sikaflex product, seem to be holding very well and no holes in the roof to leak.
Thanks Scotty, did you need to put the cables through the roof?
Jetj no I didnt have to Jayco in their wisdom had all the wiring in place. it's not as heavy as I would have done it but it works fine.