Velcro Solar Panel

Tom,if you can, present the small dimension to the wind. I love it when people who have never handled a product become self-appointed experts. The mushroom head Velcro is damned tough to yank apart. It's not Chinese hook and loop and it isn't the regular type of Velcro. That's why I recommended GOOP which is elastic as well as adhesive. On really slick surfaces I carefully buff the area to be glued with 400 sandpaper. With Gel Coat a bit of car polish restores the gloss 100%

And Don, thanks for the temperature reminder.

When I sank a dozen RIV-NUTS into the roof of Quicksilver they were 1/4" x 28 stainless steel. Dipped into DEVCON-C compound then attached with a squeeze 24" handle tool. Poking holes in roofs is not for the faint of heart. Try making S pad mounts for a curved roof. I had to hire it out I did not have the skill. Red Loc-Tite was used to cure the bolts and nuts.

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1174470O/3m-recloslable-fastener-brochure-hr.pdf

Darryl&Rita wrote:
Sounds like you've made up your mind. I don't see a 15w panel as being overly hard to stow or deploy, but that might be just me.

It is actually a 30 watt panel but still quite manageable. Mind is not made up, if someone has tried it and had a failure. I would love to hear about it. I will be travel camping in a camper shell for a month, just for the fun of it. Usually take travel trailer but wanted to try a very simple setup. I am one who doesn't always do what everyone else does. Unless there is a good reason.

Sounds like you've made up your mind. I don't see a 15w panel as being overly hard to stow or deploy, but that might be just me.

Thanks. Not worth the $400-$500 for roof racks. I am not an aeronautical engineer, so I cannot calculate the lift involved. It will not shove it off the roof, I am confident of that, but have the safety straps anyway. The advantages are many. When parked in the shade, I can make it portable and place it in the sun. I do not have to store a portable panel. It can be moved from vehicle to vehicle. It can be removed for those months when it is not needed. It is always, "on and working" when driving.

No, I didn't (wouldn't) try it. Velcro, or anything similar which would let you pull the panel off will also let the wind pull the panel off.

I'd look into getting some kind of roof rack bars which you can positively mount the panel to.

mike-s wrote:
That sounds like nothing but trouble, just waiting to happen. I wouldn't want to be the guy driving behind when the wind sends the panel flying.

That is why I asked the question. You have tried it and it failed?

(The panel will be tethered to protect the traveling public)

That sounds like nothing but trouble, just waiting to happen. I wouldn't want to be the guy driving behind when the wind sends the panel flying.

Best product I have used is 3M Dual-Lock.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Mex,

It may work in Hurricanes--but it doesn't work at -25 C (-13 f).

Not a lot of -25 degrees in South Texas Winters or Midwest Summers. I tend to hang out in 75 F weather.

Hi Mex,

It may work in Hurricanes--but it doesn't work at -25 C (-13 f).