PSW wrote:
I am going to install a 100 watt Renogy flexible solar panel to the top of my 2350 Phoenix Cruiser. It will supplement the existing 100 watt regular Renogy panel I installed earlier this year. The 100 watt does an OK job keeping the batteries charged when boondocking, but I need just "a wee bit more" power as Scottie used to say on Startrek.
This panel only weighs about four pounds and is 42" by 21" by about an eighth of an inch thick. Here it is:
http://www.amazon.com/Renogy%C2%AE-Monocrystalline-Bendable-Solar-Panel/dp/B00IK19VF6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404922295&sr=8-1&keywords=renogy+flexible+solar+panel
My question is this: what should I use to fasten this on the roof with?
On the first panel I installed, I made struts, used Z mounts, drilled into the roof and sealed all the mounting with Dicor. Since this one is light and flexible, it can be mounted directly flat on the roof and I don't know whether to use 3M tape, stick it down with DICOR or use some kind of exterior construction glue. Any comments or suggestions would be great. The diameter of the small grommets on the panel would only allow for using a screw of about 3/16" diameter if I drilled into the roof, which I would really like to avoid, so I would like just to stick it on there using something.
Thoughts?
PSW
This topic REALLY interests me as I'm right now researching supplementing our RV with a little solar as well. Everything I read so far, and I'm in NO WAY an expert says to be careful to let the solar panels "breath" a bit as temperature has an effect on performance. Performance seems to be subjective though, wire size, length of run, solar controller style and size of battery bank all play a roll in performance. If it works for you and your situation then all is good I guess.
After reading this thread I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with at least 2 100 watt panels, I thought about just one but especially after reading your dilemma 2 maybe even 3 might be in order.
There's a lot to consider huh? BTW I'm glad to hear your experience has been positive, makes me even more excited to get going on my solar "project"!
Dan
Dan
