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07-19-2018, 08:25 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 4
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Installing solar panels
When installing a solar panel to the roof, do you screw into the roof anywhere or try and find the roof braces. I have the brackets for the panel and the tape for sealing along with the sealant to cover the screws using a caulking gun.
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07-19-2018, 08:39 AM
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#2
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Recently new!
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Arizona, in The Land of Scorch!
Posts: 1,206
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Jeff, I tried to use the braces when possible, but several mounts did not line up with them. On those, I used toggle bolts, dicor in the hole and under the mount, eternabond tape over the bracket/screw head, and more Dicor. I feel my panels are not going anywhere. I made my brackets from 1 1/2" aluminum channel, and have space under the panels for some airflow to allow the heat to escape.
__________________
1987 Starcraft Nova tent trailer, purch. '87, sold 8.14
2013 Crusader 290RLT bought new, 8.14 lotsa mods!
2001 Ford F-250 7.3
Loving wife, R.I.P., 6/6/19
and Mason the always dirty dog! R.I.P, 2/19
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07-19-2018, 08:43 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,290
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yep, I did the same, which I zip tie the panels to, for easy movement in the future if needed. It's much easier, and relatively low cost, to use some 36" or 48" 'U' channel aluminum from the HD or LWES and screw them in where your framing is, then add the panels on top of that 'frame' system. And you really only need either 'sides' or 'ends' for your framing... yes, this let's the air flow thru very easily.
__________________
The Turners...
'07 Rockwood Signature Ultralight...
two Campers and two Electric cars : )
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07-19-2018, 09:08 AM
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#4
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Recently new!
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Arizona, in The Land of Scorch!
Posts: 1,206
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I thought about the zip ties and making my panels tilt able, but worried they may let loose after a week in the Arizona sunshine. Left mine flat on the roof with the thought of making them tilt-able later. However, am using 2 commercial 44volt, 9.9 amp panels, with a MPPT converter. With my battery at 50 % discharge, not in full sun, I have seen 45 amps and a full battery by 10am! The calculations say approx. 64 amps at 12 volts max on a good day, but, due to losses and inefficiencies, I would expect somewhere around 50-55 amps max. So far, so good. All my wiring is 6 gauge....gifted to me....
__________________
1987 Starcraft Nova tent trailer, purch. '87, sold 8.14
2013 Crusader 290RLT bought new, 8.14 lotsa mods!
2001 Ford F-250 7.3
Loving wife, R.I.P., 6/6/19
and Mason the always dirty dog! R.I.P, 2/19
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07-19-2018, 05:03 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,830
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jefftullius
When installing a solar panel to the roof, do you screw into the roof anywhere or try and find the roof braces. I have the brackets for the panel and the tape for sealing along with the sealant to cover the screws using a caulking gun.
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I just made sure the front brackets are on a roof brace. I also did not plan on tilting. I am not climbing up on the roof.
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07-19-2018, 05:38 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rk06382
I just made sure the front brackets are on a roof brace. I also did not plan on tilting. I am not climbing up on the roof.
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[emoji106]
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07-19-2018, 06:01 PM
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#7
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,802
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I used 6 Z-brackets per panel; traced an outline of each bracket on the roof; put down a layer of butyl tape; drilled a tiny tiny pilot hole for each screw; used 1&1/4 inch lag screws (can't remember the size) on the brackets. Then covered each screw with an ample amount of self leveling dicor and let that sit for 24 hours. Then covered all of that with Eternabond tape. This was last year and 6,000 miles ago.
No leaks and panels aren't going anywhere.
Good luck with your install!
__________________
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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07-19-2018, 07:46 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,830
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rk06382
I just made sure the front brackets are on a roof brace. I also did not plan on tilting. I am not climbing up on the roof.
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Forgot to post picture. I am thinking of adding more with 30% tax break this year.
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07-20-2018, 07:17 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Sedona, AZ
Posts: 29
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Solar
HangDiver,
I would be interested in the source for the "Z brackets" you used to attach the panels.
Thanks,
Dave
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07-20-2018, 07:36 PM
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#10
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,802
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nathan 18
HangDiver,
I would be interested in the source for the "Z brackets" you used to attach the panels.
Thanks,
Dave
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I bought Renogy panels that came with four brackets per panel. I added two more at each end thats shown in the photo. They raise the panel up off the roof almost an inch and I had to drill out holes in the panel frames to accomodate the extra brackets. I would imagine these "Z" brackets would accomodate any panel that has an aluminum frame. If you google "Renogy Z brackets" you'll get many hits. Here's an example: https://express.google.com/u/0/produ...t=control_0_30
Good luck,
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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08-23-2018, 02:23 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 4
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Okay I'm back, lol. I had surgery and was laid up a couple months now I know how to mount the panels what's the easy/ best way to run the cable down to the 30 amp controller? Where on the Wolfpup have you found the best place to mount the controller? Can you post photos? Thanks in advance! As a bonus while I was in hospital my son didn't plug my camper into shore power, my battery went down to 9.8V. He's out of the Will! lol!
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