All set to attach the 1st of 2 solar panels. Aluminum roof. Very sturdy. At a vent opening, looked like about 1 1/2 inch plywood. Put a lag screw in and it spun and spun and spun, etc. No grab.Knocked all around the roof and didn't find much in the way of studs except along the outer edge. I really want these on the roof.ANY IDEAS?????I'm thinking--Screw 2 brackets in the outer edge studs. On the other side of the panels----drill through the roof and bolt them in from inside. There wont be any headroom issues.Is this sane? Is it doable?

I wouldbe surprised to find much more than 3/8 plywood. You should, however, be able to use a studfinder to locate the rafters to secure the panels.

Molly bolts will grip but .. I do not know how much wood you have.. Half to 3/4 inch is common if you can walk without bouncing. A stud finder or metal detector MIGHT help you.. Do not know.

I just measured the thickness of the wood underneath the aluminum roof at a vent opening--It's 1 1/2 inches thick. This is near where I drilled the holes that didn't take. I used 1 1/2 inch lag screws which would have stopped short of coming through.Very confusing.

The vent where you measured the thickness is just the framing for the vent. It probably just extends out 1 1/2" also.

full timer--Sounds logical. However, the roof and ceiling are the same level throughout the rv. Maybe insulation in between a wood sandwich for the roof outside and the roof inside?Pretty sure I'm going to attach the one side through the roof, bolting on the inside. A couple more holes in the roof should not be problematic when sealed.IF THIS IS INSANE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

SOLAR ATTACHMENT SURPRISE--NEED SUGGESTIONS | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

MrWizard
Moderator
May 25, 2014
smooth flat Alu ?

clean with scotch brite pad and then wipe with alcohol and clean rag

stick mounts to roof with 3M industrial adhesive strips

they won't come off, just be sure mounts are large enough surface area

say 6inch by 3inch per mount, four mounts per panel
Twomed
Explorer
May 25, 2014
3M 5200 quick dry adhesive and a mushroom blind rivet.
TechWriter
Explorer
May 25, 2014
I attached aluminum rails to the roof with lots of screws & glue. Then attached my panels to the rails:
TOMMY47
Explorer
May 25, 2014
full timer--Sounds logical. However, the roof and ceiling are the same level throughout the rv. Maybe insulation in between a wood sandwich for the roof outside and the roof inside?
Pretty sure I'm going to attach the one side through the roof, bolting on the inside. A couple more holes in the roof should not be problematic when sealed.
IF THIS IS INSANE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
full-timer
Explorer
May 24, 2014
The vent where you measured the thickness is just the framing for the vent. It probably just extends out 1 1/2" also.
TOMMY47
Explorer
May 24, 2014
I just measured the thickness of the wood underneath the aluminum roof at a vent opening--It's 1 1/2 inches thick. This is near where I drilled the holes that didn't take. I used 1 1/2 inch lag screws which would have stopped short of coming through.Very confusing.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 24, 2014
Molly bolts will grip but .. I do not know how much wood you have.. Half to 3/4 inch is common if you can walk without bouncing.

A stud finder or metal detector MIGHT help you.. Do not know.
Bill1374
Explorer
May 24, 2014
I wouldbe surprised to find much more than 3/8 plywood. You should, however, be able to use a studfinder to locate the rafters to secure the panels.

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SOLAR ATTACHMENT SURPRISE--NEED SUGGESTIONS

18 Replies

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