I stuck my 200w panel to the roof with the plastic mounts with Sikaflex 11 FC. Has not moved and the Sikaflex is not cracked. Just make sure the surfaces are clean. I used a degreasing agent that leaves NO residue and also scuffed the roof surface where the mounts were to fit. Col P

As you are fitting solar to a pop top I'm assuming you are using the light weight flexible panels rather than the heavy weight rigid panels. Semi flexible panels have come a long way in the last 10 to 12 yrs, the 60w on the roof of my Kombi poptop are still there, haven't blown off, but they take up near the whole roof area. The new 100w panels are small enough to get 300w in the same area and seem to work really well. There have been a few issues with some of the flexible panels, aluminium backed ones were a complete failure due to differences in expansion, some had issues with surface clouding but a coat of polish when new appears to have solved that problem, the latest type are a bit bigger and have 8 eyelets rather than 6 and we are trialling a totally different fixing method to allow for easy removal if needed yet plenty of ventilation and insulation to prevent the heat passing through the roof, I guess it will be 12 mths or more before we know if we have a winner or not as most of the panel problems appeared at around the 12 mth mark.
Only had one blow off, the cables kept it attached :lol: This was the first lesson regarding what glue to use, Sikaflex 11FC lets go at 60*C and the semi flexible panels can get up over 70*C, changed glue type and later the mounting method and have had no further blow offs and we have some real big winds at times in Mannum SA, they even blew power cable towers over but the panels remained attached :lol:

T1 Terry

Warren, being a pop top if the top is lifted with gas struts you may need to get the struts re-gassed to cater for the additional weight of the panels.

As others have said, sikaflex is ideal for gluing down solar panels, my 3 panels are fixed down with sikaflex & we've been right round the counrty is all sorts of conditions.  Also you don't need to buy brackets, you can easily make your own with an 1800mm lenght of 50 x 50 x 1.6mm Aluminium Angle.

Simply cut the angle into 6 300mm lengths. For the corners, cut a 45 degree mitre out of the middle of four pieces then bend them to a right angle. Position the brackets on the panel so there's about a 20mm gap between the panel frame edge and the roof, (some offcuts of 2x1 pine is ideal to create the spacing) then fix the brackets to the panel frame with some rivets.  Hope this makes sense.

Regards Steve.

-- Edited by madaboutled on Thursday 10th of November 2016 08:42:52 PM

T1 Terry wrote:

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As I said in the previous post, Sikaflex 11FC is not suitable for glueing semi flexible panels and this comes from actual experience, been doing this stuff for fair while now. Having said that, Sika 11FC is fine for mounting aluminium angle to the roof for mounting rigid solar panels, the exposed surface does yellow in the sun but only an issue in regards to looks, it doesn't effect the holding power. If you want a glue that doesn't yellow then Simson 70-03 or Selleys Armourflex or Sudal T Rex, all excellent adhesives but the latter ones don't yellow and withstand higher temps. If proof is required regarding Sika11Fc letting go in the heat, I can attach photos

T1 Terry

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 Just for clarification, I used Sikaflex 252

macka17 wrote:

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Jeeez.

Why worry about whether your panels will blow off or not.
Just put a coupla rivets along each side and go do something else.

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The semi flexible panels aren't real good after you put a rivet through them macka :lol:

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

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Terry, the OP never mentioned semi flexible panels. The mounting parts he proposes are only suitable for conventional panels and Sikaflex 11FC is quite suitable for the plastic mounts for them.

Cheers,
Peter

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Agreed Peter, I was posting about what I had posted regarding the light weight panels eliminating the weight problem and then went on to recommend suitable adhesives for light weight panel mounting.

 

T1 Terry 

Hi Warren,

I have 2 x 200w panels on my pop top roof.

I used 40mm aluminium angle. 4 x 20cm bracket lengths on sides front and rear and 2 x 10cm bracket lengths at side centres.

They are tech screwed to the panels and glued to the roof with Sikaflex 221, which is a newer Sika adhesive/sealant and advised to use by a Sika rep.

Before gluing to roof I drilled 2 x 1cm holes in brackets on glue side so when glued the adhesive comes through the holes and you get a firmer bond.

Also, I cleaned the roof surface prior to fitting by using soapy water and steel wool lightly rubbing surface until fibreglass surface clean and then rinsed off.

A 30mm gap is under panels for ventilation.

No problem!

I can supply pics if you want.

 

I can not comment on the Jayco pop top roof

But...

I can comment on the 2006 Jayco Conquest roof

The roof is made up of some sort of fibreglass, while removing my roof aerial to turn the base, after removing the screws, I thought that I had managed to cut all the adhesive which held it on
When giving the aerial base a good tug, and leverage with a paint scraper, some (about 150mm square) piece of laminated fibreglass, came with it.

The ceiling is made of some sort of stiff cardboard - In between the ceiling and roof is about 40mm of nothing - There is some wood which looks like a bit of an old pine pallet, supporting the air conditioner
I can see no other support in the roof

To fit my solar panel, I made a frame which connects to the edge of the roof, as I do not believe that my roof is actually strong enough to support the solar panel, while travelling at the legal speed, in windy conditions

The two metre long 40x40x6 aluminium angle, on both edges are screwed and plenty of Sikaflex 11 FC holding them to the roof

Sorry.
But I reckon. Peace of mind......

Half a doz holes drilled. half a doz pops and you KNOWWWWWWW.
It ain't gonna come off.
Why all the fuss. Do it right. Do it ONCE...

ALL Panels are supposed to have breathing space t'ween it and surface below.
to prevent overheating. and HENCE.. Loss of output. It does happen.

Don't know about those flexy ones. But do know. after the "rage" on them settled down
yrs ago in the live aboard yachtties (me incl)
I never noticed too many around after first couple of yrs or so.

Soudal also make a product called T Rex, amazing stuff and it comes in clear/transparent. The Soudal T Rex and the Selleys Armourflex and the Simson 70-03 far exceed the Sikaflex 11FC as an adhesive and I've used a lot of both products. My big bus conversion has the outside skin and walls attached with 11FC, never had a problem.... till I came to South Aust, it's a lot hotter over here and some of the 11FC has let go and I have had a few semi flexible solar panels let go of their under skirt Lexan Thermoclear, but I haven't had any of those attached with the other 3 products let go.... yet ;)

T1 Terry