adhesive for solar panel to rubber roof

[Terrick_down_Un]

G'day everyone. I have a 2002 Summerwind 911S. I have just bought a 250w solar panel and the white mounting blocks to hold it to the rubber roof.
My questions are....
What would you recommend that I use as an adhesive to bond the white plastic mounting blocks to the rubber roof?
Would you still use screws as well as the adhesive?
What would you clean the roof with before hand?
Thanks in advance.

[adamis]

There is a third alternative, at least for fiberglass owners. You can take the RV to a fiberglass specialist who could glass up some mounting points that the solar panels can be permanently mounted to that are designed to accommodate screws or bolts but don't penetrate the roof.

The method is likely not to be cheap, at least as compared to just using screws and sealant but, as someone who has spent thousands of dollars trying to fix dry rot on a Lance 1170 (now since sold) because of a solar panel installed on the roof by a previous owner, I've already lost on the cost front by someone going the cheap route. I'm just not in a rush to add another hole up there if I can avoid it.

I'm not saying I will go this route, but it is something I have in mind to get a quote on when I get other fiberglass repair work done sometime.

[Terrick_down_Un]

Yep jmckelvy, that's what I went for, "white self-levelling". Just need time to do it now, the real work has given me a few or 6 breakdowns to work on first. Suppose it pays the bills so I can do stuff to the TC.

[jmckelvy]

Terrick down Under wrote:
Well, what do you know....the local RV stockist has the Dicor, and at a reasonable price. I'm on my way.

Suppose you just have to know what to look for, thanks again everyone.

I suggest getting the self leveling version.

[Terrick_down_Un]

Well, what do you know....the local RV stockist has the Dicor, and at a reasonable price. I'm on my way.

Suppose you just have to know what to look for, thanks again everyone.

[Terrick_down_Un]

So, I got up on the roof last night after all this info came in. Only to find that I had ordered a 250w instead of a 200w panel, not too much drama I suppose. Except that it only just fits between the AC and the side of the roof. So no tilting for this panel, which should make it easier to "glue and screw" it down.
Again, thanks everyone for your help.

[Crabbypatty]

The issue is not the bond to the rubber roof, its the rubber roof bond to the plywood. I can just visualize the panel flying off and tearing peeling off a long strip of rubber roofing.

I bought 1.5 x 1.5 inch aluminum angle from the hardware store and made an "L" bracket for each corner. Cheap effective and set into a blob of dicor. Then I topped the screw with Dicor. Doesnt leak and now the panel is mounted to the plywood, like it should be.

Happy Tails

[Bumpyroad]

did that sales rep know that you had a rubber/fabric roof?
bumpy

[Terrick_down_Un]

I must thank you all for that over whelming response, I thought that I was going mad after the sales rep said "just use adhesive" then the little voice in my head kept chanting " you're gunna lose it".
I will have to look for that Dicor down here and I already have some Eternabond tape left over from another job.

Again, I really appreciate you all speaking up. It would have bee devastating loosing the roof and panel...and fantastic fans....and AC. Just gives you that bad feeling in your gut.

[bka0721]

Personally I would not use adhesive as an attachment, by itself. I would use an additional fastener that is appropriate for your roof material. I am a bit confused when you referenced a rubber roof. From your statement does that mean there is nothing that the rubber roof is adhered too? There is no substrate? If there were then you would be able to install a fastener or into a nearby roof rib. If the answer is for the latter, yes, then I would use adhesive and fasteners in conjunction with my solar installation.

Failure to properly attach a solar panel put them at risk for taking flight. Whazoo recently lost a solar panel due to it desire to fly off on it's own. It is unknown to me of the mechanics it was attached and or whether it was applied properly as I am told it was installed by the manufacturer of his TC.

Also, I would never ever use plastic for the brackets/feet of a solar panel. Mostly due to the issue of cold and UV degeneration.

b

[Buzzcut1]

I have a rubber roof and two 100 watt panels. They are held in place by metal Z brackets screwed into the roof and sealed with dicor and screwed into the panels. UV, heat and cold degrade plastic over time making it brittle and I have never found an adhesive that will stand up long term to constant weather exposure.

[towpro]

I use etherbond tape under my mounting brackets before putting screws in, as well as sealing with dicor (if it's a rubber roof, but there is different sealants for the vinyl roofs)

[Lwiddis]

" What would you recommend that I use as an adhesive to bond the white plastic mounting blocks to the rubber roof?
Would you still use screws as well as the adhesive?"

No adhesive. Use screws and Dicor.

[Itchey_Feet]

I had a mishap W/ a tree branch on my Summerwind, not very bad. I used DICOR over the hole and went over all the vents and seams where it lapped over the aluminum on the front, as well as all the screw heads around the railing on the rear, no leaks so far.

[HMS_Beagle]

I glued mine to my roof, no problems in a couple of years. But mine is a Bigfoot solid fiberglass roof. I would not do that on a rubber roof, or even the typical camper metal roof (which is just a thin sheet of aluminum).