is it still frowned upon
+4
nzowner
Paulmold
Dbvwt
robbymax
8 posters
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is it still frowned upon
by robbymax Tue Jun 14, 2022 6:00 pm
i still feel nervous about sticking the brackets down on a solar panel, cant i just put 1 screw in each of the 6 brackets with plenty of sick-o-thingy to seal, just for peace of mind how many of you have done it and kept quiet, i think i will do it and own up
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by Dbvwt Tue Jun 14, 2022 7:56 pm
Do whatever feels right for you regardless of what others think.
I’ve recently fitted a second panel on my van and eventually decided to screw the brackets as well as bonding with Sikaflex. I would still be worrying if I had just bonded it but that’s just me.
I think the type of roof may be important but don’t quote me on that. Either way, proper preparation is very important.
I’ve recently fitted a second panel on my van and eventually decided to screw the brackets as well as bonding with Sikaflex. I would still be worrying if I had just bonded it but that’s just me.
I think the type of roof may be important but don’t quote me on that. Either way, proper preparation is very important.
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by Paulmold Tue Jun 14, 2022 8:06 pm
I didn't fit my own when we had the Nuevo (which would have had same roof construction as your Devon) but I know the fitter used screws and sikaflex.robbymax wrote:i still feel nervous about sticking the brackets down on a solar panel, cant i just put 1 screw in each of the 6 brackets with plenty of sick-o-thingy to seal, just for peace of mind how many of you have done it and kept quiet, i think i will do it and own up
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by nzowner Wed Jun 15, 2022 4:55 am
I certainly screwed in addition to adhesive sealant and am confident screws of appropriate size used, something A/S did'nt ensure for their roof penetrations during build leading to water ingress.
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by robbymax Wed Jun 15, 2022 9:56 am
how thick is the roof and thank you for confessing
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by robbymax Wed Jun 15, 2022 11:15 am
i new i was'nt the only one that would worry and it is good to know i am not the only one that wears a belt and a pair of braces, but now and again i still loose my bloody trousers
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by Relaxez-Vous Sun Jun 19, 2022 1:39 pm
If anyone has doubts about using Sikaflex, I suggest you buy a tube of say Sikaflex 252 and use it to join together some scrap pieces of aluminium, leave it outside for a month then see how easy you can separate the pieces.
What screws have in their favour is the immediacy of the fix whilst 3M VHB tape or Sikaflex do not reach full adhesion for some while after application, though using 3M VHB tape you have to be spot on with your placement, no repositioning that you have with Sikaflex.
I used Sikaflex to mount a solar panel on our Duetto and on our Kemerton XL 3M VHB tape.
What screws have in their favour is the immediacy of the fix whilst 3M VHB tape or Sikaflex do not reach full adhesion for some while after application, though using 3M VHB tape you have to be spot on with your placement, no repositioning that you have with Sikaflex.
I used Sikaflex to mount a solar panel on our Duetto and on our Kemerton XL 3M VHB tape.
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by robbymax Mon Jun 20, 2022 10:59 am
hi thanks for your comment but the idea of my panel flying off and going through someone's windscreen makes me feel sick, so i have decided to Sikaflex and 1 screw in each of the 6 posts, you have got to sleep at night and at my age peace of mind is so important
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by Clubman Mon Jun 20, 2022 11:32 am
Hi, I fitted a solar panel with silkaflex to my old Pollensa a couple of years ago it stuck like you know what to a blanket. I had no problems at all. Since then I have upgraded to a newer As. Hopefully the panel is still intact.!!
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by IanH Mon Jun 20, 2022 8:33 pm
One good quality SS self tapping screw in centre of each bracket makes perfect sense, for several reasons.
Assume hole pre drilled and injected with sikaflex.
Bracket will be pulled down into the adhesive helping it spread evenly.
Side screws in brackets will hold panel to brackets, sikaflex on these faces too.
Single screw through roof will take the forward motion air drag force off the adhesive, this force being shear, the glue's least effective joint strength.
As ours is surrounded by the "roofrack" it also has tiny SS wire loops round them too!!!!
Think it would survive nuclear war!!!!
Assume hole pre drilled and injected with sikaflex.
Bracket will be pulled down into the adhesive helping it spread evenly.
Side screws in brackets will hold panel to brackets, sikaflex on these faces too.
Single screw through roof will take the forward motion air drag force off the adhesive, this force being shear, the glue's least effective joint strength.
As ours is surrounded by the "roofrack" it also has tiny SS wire loops round them too!!!!
Think it would survive nuclear war!!!!
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by robbymax Tue Jun 21, 2022 12:35 pm
Hi Ian makes sence to me the roof is 20mm?, thick the motorhome is 12 years old so no warranty to worry about
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by IanH Tue Jun 21, 2022 12:58 pm
You could measure the roof thickness by drilling a 2mm hole through it. Wrap masking tape round the bit, and mark where it passed through. If in wrong place or whatever, fill with sikaflex and put a small as self tapper in!!
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Re: is it still frowned upon
by Molly3 Tue Jun 21, 2022 3:38 pm
Do feel lucky , they don't come off very often , just once , don't forget their is wiring in the roof .
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