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Sentinelist's avatar
Sentinelist
Explorer
Jun 22, 2014

How thick is the roof on Lance 815? Blueprint + wiring diag?

I'm about to screw down a couple Renogy 100w solar panels with the standard z-brackets, but I'd prefer to screw into a crossmember if at all possible- does anyone have a structural blueprint of the frame on this model (2001)? I'm also looking for a wiring diagram as I'm relocating the battery compartment and possibly changing out the converter (oy, I may be pushing my luck for one thread here).

And, what is the thickness of the roof material? Is it just plywood underneath the aluminum roof? How thick is that? Is there any wiring running the length of the middle of the roof besides for the lights? Trying to figure out the best way of going about this. Screw type suggestions also welcome. I'll plan to put some Dicor sealant over each bracket mount afterwards. Thanks!
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  • Sentinelist's avatar
    Sentinelist
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    Btw, I dug around the converter box, its manual, and am now reviewing the Lance owners manual as well. I won't be changing it out, but my solar and battery bank system with inverter that I'm building will be entirely independent from this factory system. Redundancy, safer, easier, reliable... I put a good new battery back in the normal compartment (tested it, then left it disconnected again as the rig sits most of the time).
  • Sentinelist's avatar
    Sentinelist
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    cewillis wrote:
    A standard stud finder found the cross members in my aluminum framed roof.


    Great thought- I just went and tried it. The whole roof is a stud! ;) I suspect this works great with fiberglass and rubber roofs, but not aluminum like mine.

    edit: just saw yours is aluminum too. maybe it's the cheap-o Stanley finder I have or the roof thickness...
  • Sentinelist's avatar
    Sentinelist
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    c.traveler2 wrote:
    My Lance 815 (2002), one 85 watt solar panel. The aluminum roof is fairly thick and screws hold very well.



    I had this one installed, they used L-bracket screwed to the roof and sealed the screws.


    Thanks! I think that's what I'm going to do- I just won't use long screws.
  • cewillis's avatar
    cewillis
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2014
    A standard stud finder found the cross members in my aluminum framed roof.
  • c_traveler2's avatar
    c_traveler2
    Nomad
    Jun 22, 2014
    My Lance 815 (2002), one 85 watt solar panel. The aluminum roof is fairly thick and screws hold very well.



    I had this one installed, they used L-bracket screwed to the roof and sealed the screws.
  • petoworx's avatar
    petoworx
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2014
    hello sen, ive been trying to get prints for my 2006 lance, ive e mailed lance and am awaiting repy, i could find nothing online also,i just tried lance owners group and and got some good info there! good luck and let us know how you make out, pete

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