Hi All,Not trying to open a can of worms here but I've been doing a fair amount of research the past 6 months of solar for my RV and have a pretty easy question.. I think...I've been looking into RENOGY solar kit's and also the GOPower solar kits. Does anyone have any experience with these? I have 208AH of battery power and on a good day may use 70AH of juice. I'm a little nervous about drilling into my TPO roof on my Fleetwood storm. Running the wires inside the coach doesnt seem too difficult, but the roof mounting just scares me a little bit.Which brings me to my main question. Both these companies make Portable solar systems. 100W for Renogy and 120W for GoPower. Ideally I was thinking 200W would be a good start but I'm leaning towards jumping into solar with a portable kit first and going from there. Am I a fool for considering a portable system knowing that the real way to do this is a mounted system?I'm very handy and usually have no issue doing anything.. just drilling the roof scares me.

What is your rig? Yr, make all that.

I'll let someone with a newer rig answer. But putting on roof is not bad. Roof should be checked every year and sealed around protrusions at least every 2 years. Then a complete reseal 3 to 5 years.

1BryNelson wrote:I'll let someone with a newer rig answer. But putting on roof is not bad. Roof should be checked every year and sealed around protrusions at least every 2 years. Then a complete reseal 3 to 5 years.I was just getting confused. Some sites had people just drilling in a screw and covering in dicor.. the instructions say I can do this, or it says I can use well nuts which it doesnt come with and then to cover in dicor.If this is as simple as driving in a screw and covering in dicor then decision made. Just not sure about this TPO roof...

I love having a portable system. I built my own 200 Watt system and I have it attached to 40 feet of cable. I can move it all day long to chase the sun and stay out of the shade.

Solar Portable or Mounted | Good Sam Community

1BryNelson
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
You should rig the panels so you can tilt them, 2 times a day I go up and adjust them, takes me about 20 mins. I have 7 Carmanah 160 watt panels with 6 batteries. I'm mostly off the grid boondocking. During the day I can pretty much run anything in the coach except A/C, including microwave. I also have a Splendide washer/dryer combo that I can use during the day. Now I can't run more then 1 of those heavy demand units; but I can use them running off solar panels. ((I just added panel 7, but didn't update profile correctly. Added panel 7 but forgot to update Watts in profile. Actual solar watts capability is now 1120 watts.))
jeremywatco
Explorer
Feb 22, 2015
Panels mounted, wires ran to final spots. Just need some sunlight and I'll give her a whirl.

First time using Dicor.. hope I did it right...

Cleaned the surface good. Put a bead down over my where my holes would be and on my mounting bracket foot.

I had some roofing screws that looked like a good fit, and have a rubber washer on them. Screwed directly into the roof by hand and didnt over tighten. Then covered entire mount foot in dicor. Repeat on all the others.

For now I secured the wires to the roof with Dicor but will come back and use a wire clamp.

Running the wire was the simplest part.

Thanks everyone for the advise.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 21, 2015
Hi Lynn,

There are folks using 3M adhesives that are wonderfully strong. The roof on an RV is already full of screw holes. Six more won't matter at all if they are properly covered in dicor.

Lynn0527 wrote:
I got the Renogy and talked to GO at the RV SHOW. The only other option is the flexible panels which I believe can be put on without drilling.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 21, 2015
I used a neoprene fender washer (Ace Hardware) under my brackets to prevent cutting of the roof material. Probably not needed on a wide bracket.
jeremywatco
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
Thanks for all the help. I ordered mounted system. 2 x 100w panels but I bought wiring and controller for 4 x 100w panels so I can expand as needed by adding just a panel.

One more question.. I have a TPO roof.... Dicor makes a 2 part system for TPO roofs (1 part primer, 1 part dicor), I bought this and it was expensive for the primer ($40). I also see the Dicor 501 LSW lists as being usable on TPO.. any thoughts on this?

Besides Dicor do I need anything under the mounting brackets? I figured just a healthy bead of dicor under and call it a day.
Lynn0527
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
Hi - I have a B and only use it for weekends and maybe a couple of month long vacations so my needs and roof size are small. I have a 100 watt solar suitcase that I am really happy with. Same as you I didn't want to make any permanent changes to my RV. I am thinking I may just add another portable 100 watt and that is all I need.

I got the Renogy and talked to GO at the RV SHOW. The only other option is the flexible panels which I believe can be put on without drilling.
Ineedtoslowdown
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
I have had it in a strong head wind going 65 MPH without an issue. The actual velocity is much lower 1" above the roof. It's not like sticking your arm out a window.

You are correct that modern Velcro is better than what most people realize.
Fifty4F100
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
Ineedtoslowdown wrote:
I went roof mounted, flexible solar panels, Velcro to attach to the roof. The flexible panels cost more but are extremely light weight and the Velcro was 3M Dual Lock. IMHO a tornado could not separate the panels from the roof.

Not a bad idea. Industrial strength velcro is pretty substantial. And you can take it with you with the next RV. But....

Have you had it on going down the road? I would hope that the continuous air wouldn't force it off.
Ineedtoslowdown
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
I went roof mounted, flexible solar panels, Velcro to attach to the roof. The flexible panels cost more but are extremely light weight and the Velcro was 3M Dual Lock. IMHO a tornado could not separate the panels from the roof.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 19, 2015
Hi,

I went with roof mount because I believe batteries need maintenance charging between trips. Plus it ensures starting out from storage with bursting full batteries. An appropriately sized system increases battery life. Solar is the best upgrade I have made to the RV.

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