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08-07-2017, 09:26 PM
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#1
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,804
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Solar Panels On Rubber Roof
I've searched and subscribed to numerous threads but have not found answers to this question? How are you mounting your RIGID solar panels to rubber roofs?
Thanks in advance,
Rich J.
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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08-08-2017, 05:48 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: IL
Posts: 1,295
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Hi,
Aluminum brackets, lag screws, and Dicor.
Rich Phillips
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08-08-2017, 10:13 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 2,004
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Aluminum brackets, stainless sheet metal screws and Dicor.
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
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08-08-2017, 10:18 AM
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#4
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,804
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Thank you for the replies. I was debating between lag screws or well nuts. Seems I'll be using lag screws.
Thanks again,
Rich J.
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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08-08-2017, 12:36 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In a big child free home - except for me
Posts: 1,682
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__________________
 TV 2018 Ford F250, hauling a 2018 KZ 331 TH 12 Sportster 5th wheel, packing a 2015 CF MOTO 800 U-Force SXS
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08-08-2017, 01:16 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 149
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Aluminum brackets, stainless sheet metal screws and Dicor
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08-08-2017, 02:01 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Mt Dora,Florida
Posts: 175
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Just getting ready to install 2 panels myself. I will use Stainless steel 3/4 " screws into z brackets. I will use 2 brackets on each side and one on each end = 6 brackets on each panel. Self leveling horizontal sealant .
Roof prep cleaning needed.
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08-08-2017, 02:37 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: IL
Posts: 1,295
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Hi,
I just left the Dicor roof presentation at the Rally.
He recommended using a pad of butyl tape between solar brackets and the roof, before tightening everything down and covering with Dicor.
FWIW.
Rich Phillips
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08-08-2017, 02:42 PM
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#9
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,804
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richp
Hi,
I just left the Dicor roof presentation at the Rally.
He recommended using a pad of butyl tape between solar brackets and the roof, before tightening everything down and covering with Dicor.
Rich Phillips
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That makes good sense. Thank you Rich!
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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08-08-2017, 02:50 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Mt Dora,Florida
Posts: 175
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I agree and have already applied the butyl tape to the bottom of the bracmet but forgot to mention.
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08-08-2017, 03:08 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 308
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Speaking from past use of solar on roof... switched over and make the panel portable with a 20 foot extension wire and just set it on the ground where the sun is shinning .. works so much more efficient. Only negative is you need a place to store it.. (seems we were also camped under a tree and the panel on the roof was in the shade)
__________________
Clint...
2015 F350 4x4 gasser.. 2017 Rockwood 2506S TT
Ardenvoir, Washington (near Wenatchee)
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08-08-2017, 03:18 PM
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#12
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,804
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clintbonnie73
Speaking from past use of solar on roof... switched over and make the panel portable with a 20 foot extension wire and just set it on the ground where the sun is shinning .. works so much more efficient. Only negative is you need a place to store it.. (seems we were also camped under a tree and the panel on the roof was in the shade)
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Thought of that but when boondocking I'm not hanging around the camper. I'm out doing other things and gone most of the day. Thus the panels need to be secured.
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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08-08-2017, 03:35 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 2,004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dpelaez
Just getting ready to install 2 panels myself. I will use Stainless steel 3/4 " screws into z brackets. I will use 2 brackets on each side and one on each end = 6 brackets on each panel. Self leveling horizontal sealant .
Roof prep cleaning needed.
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That is exactly what I did 7 years ago with my panels, no problems what so ever since then.
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
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08-08-2017, 05:24 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 148
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What I am going to say may seem hardcore but here I go.
I was mounting my 100 watt panels which are about 16# each to my roof.
After calling FR, I verified what I was told by them. I pulled the trim from one of my fans where I could see the roof construction. I found 3/16" of Luan under the rubber roof. The wood then had about 5" of foam like you have in a cheap ice chest and then my interior roof.
I asked myself if I wanted to take the liability of holding on those panels down with #10 screws and Dicor to such a thin piece of wood. Driving at freeway speeds plus some of those gusts you get in certain parts of the country puts quite a stress on those panels.
I decided to go from the roof all the way through to the interior with 1/4" all- thread. One piece of all-thread through the center of each Z bracket for a total of four per panel. I laid the panels side by side and overlapped the brackets in the middle for a total of 6 holes for the entire setup of panels.
Covered it all with Dicor and I am very satisfied with the results.
Dressing up the inside roof is a little bit of a challenge but it can be done with different trim boards and paint.
With a little planning, I was able to get three of the bolts to come through where the ceiling batten covers the gap in two interior roof panels.
I took a long time to figure out the layout but it was well worth it.
The results are:
1. I now do not have to worry about them coming loose.
2. I only made 6 holes for my brackets instead of 16.
I apologize for this being so long but let me encourage you to pull some fan trim or vent trim off and try and get a look at your roof construction before deciding.
I know that people have been doing it the "old way" for many years without problems but I just wanted you to consider some alternatives. Good luck to you whatever you decide to do.
__________________
2019 Ram 3500 DRW HO Cummins, Aisin Trans and 4.10 gears.
2017 Flagstaff 8529 IKBS Classic Platinum Edition
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08-08-2017, 05:26 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Mt Dora,Florida
Posts: 175
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Dont like the portable idea. Im gone biking a lot and also what aboit the sun during its peek when im usually driving? With permanent install, you have less work and no storage required.
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08-08-2017, 05:50 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,834
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Beauty - can you post pictures, mostly of the inside. A fender washer and an acorn nut painted white probably wouldn't be too bad. You're the first I've heard doing this.
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08-08-2017, 06:20 PM
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#17
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,804
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beauty and Beast
I decided to go from the roof all the way through to the interior with 1/4" all- thread. One piece of all-thread through the center of each Z bracket for a total of four per panel. I laid the panels side by side and overlapped the brackets in the middle for a total of 6 holes for the entire setup of panels. Dressing up the inside roof is a little bit of a challenge but it can be done with different trim boards and paint. With a little planning, I was able to get three of the bolts to come through where the ceiling batten covers the gap in two interior roof panels.
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This approach actually crossed my mind. I'd be interested in seeing some photos as well. Thanks!
Rich J.
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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08-08-2017, 09:01 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Pleasant Gap, PA
Posts: 458
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clintbonnie73
Speaking from past use of solar on roof... switched over and make the panel portable with a 20 foot extension wire and just set it on the ground where the sun is shinning .. works so much more efficient. Only negative is you need a place to store it.. (seems we were also camped under a tree and the panel on the roof was in the shade)
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I have 1 on the roof and 2 on the ground. Works for a variety of light situations.
__________________
2015 Solaire 201SS
2015 GMC 2500HD Duramax
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08-08-2017, 09:36 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 148
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I have always had trouble posting pics on this site but will try. I used these and a fender washer which I painted the interior color. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-4-C...or-Nut/3013888
__________________
2019 Ram 3500 DRW HO Cummins, Aisin Trans and 4.10 gears.
2017 Flagstaff 8529 IKBS Classic Platinum Edition
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08-08-2017, 09:41 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,834
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beauty and Beast
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Hmmm.
As much as I hate to, I'm starting to lean in your direction. Wife won't be a fan, but she's practical enough to appreciate the $ up there not coming sailing off.
Maybe some can end up inside cabinets....
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