Solar install

[wildebus]

well, for some of us, there is only one answer to that question

 

[Squiffy]

Dave I defy anyone to come over to my van and remove my sat dome or solar panel without totally destroying the dome mountings or the solar panel and mounting. Believe me after a few discussions of this kind I have been out and on the roof and attempted to pull either off and have stopped short of destroying the panel. Phil

 

[wildebus]

Dave I defy anyone to come over to my van and remove my sat dome or solar panel without totally destroying the dome mountains or the solar panel and mounting. Believe me after a few discussions of this kind I have been out and on the roof and attempted to pull either off and have stopped short of destroying the panel. Phil

not saying your setup is unsafe.
I just prefer to use mechanical fixings as see them as far more risk-free.

 

[SquirrellCook]

The trouble is with so many, if not all of these products is that you can’t control the competence of the user. Also the long term behaviour is often unknown.

 

[mistericeman]

Dave I defy anyone to come over to my van and remove my sat dome or solar panel without totally destroying the dome mountains or the solar panel and mounting. Believe me after a few discussions of this kind I have been out and on the roof and attempted to pull either off and have stopped short of destroying the panel. Phil

I'm sure you'd struggle....
However there are cases where you possibly could.

I don't mind a bit of risk to my own life/limb....(messing around in long abandoned mines etc etc)

But the thought of a panel detaching from my roof and going through someone's front screen leaves me cold....
I do use adhesive BUT I won't be without mechanical fixings....
Overkill MAYBE....
Fixing gripple wire tethers round the original rack (much like with speakers/lighting rigs etc) VERY possibly...
BUT least I'll know for the sake of a little more work...
My rather large lump of glass and aluminium will be as unlikely as possible to leave where it should be.

 

[Squiffy]

Although I have great respect for Victorian engineering, it was of the time, I'm certain that Victorian engineering would never have been able to put a man on the moon or explore space as we have, times are a changing and always will, one has to put your faith in modern technology or stay in the dark ages as they say. Phil

 

[mistericeman]

Although I have great respect for Victorian engineering, it was of the time, I'm certain that Victorian engineering would never have been able to put a man on the moon or explore space as we have, times are a changing and always will, one has to put your faith in modern technology or stay in the dark ages as they say. Phil

The victorians were famous for over engineering....

I like the victorians ;-)

 

[Squiffy]

Exactly, my point great engineers in their time, but then labour was cheap and so was material, it's time to move on as has the rest of this world. We now have even greater inventors and engineers in this country but their achievements are not as obviously in our face as with the Victorians but are just as inventive such as adhesive sealant. Phil

 

[mistericeman]

Exactly, my point great engineers in their time, but then labour was cheap and so was material, it's time to move on as has the rest of this world. We now have even greater inventors and engineers in this country but their achievements are not as obviously in our face as with the Victorians but are just as inventive such as adhesive sealant. Phil

Absolutely.....

Sadly paint tech is still sketchy at times....

Each to their own etc....

I'll always use mechanical and sticky for fixing panels....
It's not much hassle for extra peace of mind.

 

[wildebus]

For what it's worth, I don't dismiss adhesive methods out of hand, but I need to be sure they will be secure without possibility of failure

This semi-flexible panel is secured using tape alone.

Panel Underneath by David, on Flickr
But I confirmed with the panel manufacturers and the pop-top manufacturer about suitability. There is no paint on the roof at all to provide a suspect surface to rely on. Used around 9 metres of 3M VHB tape suitable for the surfaces and sealed off the front and applied tape fully along the each edge so there was no possibility of lifting with air underneath
This panel is not going anywhere either but used probably at least 10 times or more tape than I maybe needed to as do not want to take any chances whatsoever.

 

[ScoTTyBEEE]

I removed one of photonic universe sticky panels from the roof of my car. It required a crowbar and about an hour of work. The roof of the car witheld most of the glue where it still remains to this day as it's impossible to remove. Not in a million years was that panel coming off.

 

[Squiffy]

I removed one of photonic universe sticky panels from the roof of my car. It required a crowbar and about an hour of work. The roof of the car witheld most of the glue where it still remains to this day as it's impossible to remove. Not in a million years was that panel coming off.

I really do understand the panick situation that some of our members are under with this problem of glue or screw or maybe even glue AND screw, I have been involved with the motor trade for longer than I would like to admit to, yes if you have a Red coloured van with lacquer or a van with metallic paint and lacquer or any number of paint combinations that have now shown signs of adhesion problems then do not just stick your roof top additions down use screws as well, but for those that do not have any of these problems stick em down, but for those that will only screw and glue, please do not spread the doom and gloom that you are doing, I think there is enough of that already. Just understand and tell it as it is if your paint is solid and well adhered then hurricane force winds are not going to let go of your life threatening solar panels, and even if it does that chances of it ( GOING THROUGH THE SCREEN OF A FOLLOWING VEHICLE AND KILLING ALL ITS OCCUPANTS is infinitesimal) but admittedly is feasible. Phil

 

[wildebus]

If not metallic or red you are ok?

Maybe an extreme example, but not that unusual. Sorry, but I would not trust glue on a painted surface as a single method of adhesion.

And no, it is not a "panic situation"

 

[Squiffy]

If not metallic or red you are ok?

Maybe an extreme example, but not that unusual. Sorry, but I would not trust glue on a painted surface as a single method of adhesion.

And no, it is not a "panic situation"

Oh Dave, if someone only sticks a solar panel on something like your example then they have no right building a motorhome, of course there has to be a certain amount of intelligence required when attempting any sort of project. I think that I will personally leave this discussion at that. Phil

 

[wildebus]

Well Phil, when you describe anyone with a different - and perfectly rational - opinion on using glue on paint that you have as "panicing" and spreading doom and gloom, expect a reply.

I said that was an extreme example and it obviously was. The subtle examples don't get noticed until maybe too late?

 

[ScoTTyBEEE]

This is the Soudal Fixall glue you get from screwfix. Look at how strong it is.

 

[SquirrellCook]

One of the least scientific tests I've ever seen.

 

[Squiffy]

One of the least scientific tests I've ever seen.

But a test of strength which ever way you count science . Yes yes I know "but it's only as strong as paint adhesion" That is where intelligence becomes essential and where the right decision is of paramount importance. Phil

 

[SquirrellCook]

lf you had two smooth and flat plates, say with a 12" square surface area. (not like Dave's square wire which is in fact round ) Water placed between them. Then pressed together to expel most of the are and water. Seal the edges to stop air leaking back in. Now anchor each plate from the middle and try and pull them apart. That will prove how strong water is as a adhesive? The video is enough to put you of a good product. I hate the way advertising people sell products assuming the worlds population is stupid!

 

[mistericeman]

Anyone fancy putting their faith in this...