Hi all.
Sorry if my post wasnt clear to all.
These new panels are an addition to some i already have.
So i already have a regulator/controller mounted at the battery. Im fully aware of how cheap the regulators/controllers are on mobile panels so this is why i have a good quality one installed.
Hope this is a little clearer to some.
Kezngaz.
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Commitment shows. Quality is what is done when no one is looking.
Thats the junction box on back of a panel, the other panel has the reg and a junction box on it.
Just gonna link panels together then wire to front of van and into regulator.
Kezngaz.
__________________
Commitment shows. Quality is what is done when no one is looking.
Hi all.
Finally got round to glueing panels on the roof.
I used Selleys Armourflex as mentioned, i also used it to glue the junction box on over the only hole i had to drill to allow the 6b&s cable through.
Its took a lot longer than i first thought especially running the cable 10 meters in total from roof rear to battery upfront.
When passing the cable down the back of the 3 way fridge i used and extra over size peice of conduit and wrapped it in silver reflective tape just in case of heat, albeit on the opposite side to the flu on the rear of fridge.
Has been a little overcast again today here in Perth so looking fwd to some clear weather to do final checks.
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Commitment shows. Quality is what is done when no one is looking.
I have a pop top Jayco and fitted 2 x 200watt panels.
I used 40mm angle aluminium from Bunnings cut to 200mm lengths for supports, 3 on each side of the panels (12 total) tek screwed to panel frames allowing plenty for ventilation under.
Each support has 2 x 10mm holes drilled to allow adhesive through when mounted for additional strength.
Advice from Sikaflex rep (over year ago) was to use Sikaflex 221 with no need to fix brackets to roof with screws or bolts.
I cleaned the roof lightly where the supports are with soapy steel wool removing all dirt.
Used generous amount of Sikaflex 221 and one tube was more than enough.
Done 10,000km mostly in very hot conditions and some very rough tracks with no sign of movement of panel supports.
Sikaflex is primarily an adhesive and I believe the major mistake of some fittings is to use a sealant only.
Sika update their products so check if there is an improvement to this particular product. They also have detailed spec sheets on their product range.
Hi all. Finally got round to glueing panels on the roof. I used Selleys Armourflex as mentioned, i also used it to glue the junction box on over the only hole i had to drill to allow the 6b&s cable through. Its took a lot longer than i first thought especially running the cable 10 meters in total from roof rear to battery upfront. When passing the cable down the back of the 3 way fridge i used and extra over size peice of conduit and wrapped it in silver reflective tape just in case of heat, albeit on the opposite side to the flu on the rear of fridge. Has been a little overcast again today here in Perth so looking fwd to some clear weather to do final checks.
OK, where did you find clear Armourflex???? or haven't I been looking hard enough in the Bunnings aisle? The excess Armourflex will clean off easily using turps when it has cured and a finger dipped in detergent water or metho will smooth it off before it cures. Armourflex will also stick to itself so a second bead to make a clean finish after the tidy up and then smoothed down with the finger makes this stuff so much easier to use than Sikaflex
T1 Terry
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You can lead a head to knowledge but you can't make it think. One day I'll know it all, but till then, I'll keep learning.
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Hi T1 Terry.
From memory, next to the white....sorry, couldnt resist.
Hi Dicko, as you can see from the pictures i also used ally angle.
Firstly i secured 200mill lengths to the underside of the panel frame with the short side, then the long side onto that to give me more choise on height from roof.
O also fitted inserts and volts so as to hinge up when cleaning them.
Kezngaz.
__________________
Commitment shows. Quality is what is done when no one is looking.
Hi T1 Terry. From memory, next to the white....sorry, couldnt resist. Hi Dicko, as you can see from the pictures i also used ally angle. Firstly i secured 200mill lengths to the underside of the panel frame with the short side, then the long side onto that to give me more choise on height from roof. O also fitted inserts and volts so as to hinge up when cleaning them. Kezngaz.
Took the opportunity whilst in Darwin today to clean roof so took before pics also.
Hi all. Finally got round to glueing panels on the roof. I used Selleys Armourflex as mentioned, i also used it to glue the junction box on over the only hole i had to drill to allow the 6b&s cable through. Its took a lot longer than i first thought especially running the cable 10 meters in total from roof rear to battery upfront. When passing the cable down the back of the 3 way fridge i used and extra over size peice of conduit and wrapped it in silver reflective tape just in case of heat, albeit on the opposite side to the flu on the rear of fridge. Has been a little overcast again today here in Perth so looking fwd to some clear weather to do final checks.
OK, where did you find clear Armourflex???? or haven't I been looking hard enough in the Bunnings aisle? The excess Armourflex will clean off easily using turps when it has cured and a finger dipped in detergent water or metho will smooth it off before it cures. Armourflex will also stick to itself so a second bead to make a clean finish after the tidy up and then smoothed down with the finger makes this stuff so much easier to use than Sikaflex
T1 Terry
I picked up some clear Armourflex today at Bunnings, and yes it was right next to the white. (about head height)
Cheers, John.
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"My mind is made up. Please don't confuse me with facts."
Ah... that explains it, only available in clear in the 300g cartridge and not in the 600g sausage which we buy by the box full at trade price...... never thought of looking in the cartridge section We use Sudal T Rex in the cartridge when we need clear as it is crystal clear and sticks to anything even under water with a near instant bond, just too expensive to use in large quantities so the Selleys Armourflex is used where we used Sika 11FC previously, but at the rate we use it to buy in cartridges would be cost prohibitive.
T1 Terry
__________________
You can lead a head to knowledge but you can't make it think. One day I'll know it all, but till then, I'll keep learning.
Any links to any sites or products is not an endorsement by me or do I gain any financial reward for such links
Thought I would pass this on..... I spoke to Selleys tech people today and they told me the clear Armourflex has a lower bond strength than the grey and white colors. This was due to the chemistry used in making it clear: it loses some strength.
Cheers, John.
-- Edited by meetoo on Thursday 15th of June 2017 04:52:20 PM
__________________
"My mind is made up. Please don't confuse me with facts."
Thought I would pass this on..... I spoke to Selleys tech people today and they told me the clear Armourflex has a lower bond strength than the grey and white colors. This was due to the chemistry used in making it clear: it loses some strength.
Cheers, John.
-- Edited by meetoo on Thursday 15th of June 2017 04:52:20 PM
Interesting bit of info there John, thankyou for sharing as it is something to watch out for in the future
T1 Terry
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You can lead a head to knowledge but you can't make it think. One day I'll know it all, but till then, I'll keep learning.
Any links to any sites or products is not an endorsement by me or do I gain any financial reward for such links
Im taking the van up the coast next week so will be able to report back on the strength of the clear Selleys.
Hopefully ill be returning with a positive report and 2 panels on my roof....still!!
Kezngaz.
__________________
Commitment shows. Quality is what is done when no one is looking.
I'm sure it will be fine. There is plenty of contact area there so even if the glue isn't quite as strong I'm sure you have more than made up for that with the increase surface area.
T1 Terry
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You can lead a head to knowledge but you can't make it think. One day I'll know it all, but till then, I'll keep learning.
Any links to any sites or products is not an endorsement by me or do I gain any financial reward for such links
Keep it clean and tidy use plastic clips for wiring and glue them ,any metal contact on alloy roof will cause corrosion , extra alloy mounts can also be glued .
Keep it clean and tidy use plastic clips for wiring and glue them ,any metal contact on alloy roof will cause corrosion , extra alloy mounts can also be glued .
Just a note of caution regarding the set up in the photo, cover the MC4 connectors to protect them from the direct sunlight as the harsh Aust UV affects the plastic and the clips break off resulting in the plugs not remaining firmly connected, a failed connection is the end result.
T1 Terry
__________________
You can lead a head to knowledge but you can't make it think. One day I'll know it all, but till then, I'll keep learning.
Any links to any sites or products is not an endorsement by me or do I gain any financial reward for such links