how to mount solar panel

[StirCrazy]

So I have a 1991 slumber queen with an alumium roof and I am putting a 325 watt panel on it, but the mounting feet wont line up with the rafters. whats the best way to fastent it?

I was thinking of using oak strips to span the rafters and then screw the mounting feet to them, any ideas?

Steve

[StirCrazy]

well figured it out.

the front edge of the panel mounts lined up on a rafter so they are all screwed in solid, I found some hollow wall anchors that hold 365lbs each so I used them for the ones that didnt fall on a stud.



Steve

[StirCrazy]

Freep wrote:

StirCrazy wrote:
my current option is making a simular subframe

What is "simular subframe"? I googled it and wasn't able to figure it out.

who knows haha, keyboard spitting out extra words I guess.

maybe it was "some sort of" and auto corects screwed it up..

Steve

[tuna_fisher]

StirCrazy wrote:

tuna fisher wrote:
As everyone else , use 3N VHB tape then cover with Dicor. Make sure to clean with Alcohol first. My panels are rock solid still after 10 years or so. No holes in roof

was your alumium fully bonded to your plywood? my roof is one piece alumium and only 5/16" plywood on the back half. the alumium skin seams to float for the most part so i have the feeling if I mounted it like that it would just lift the alumium skin off the roof.

Doesn't feel like it when I walk on it. Like I said it's solid still.

[Freep]

StirCrazy wrote:
my current option is making a simular subframe

What is "simular subframe"? I googled it and wasn't able to figure it out.

[CA_Traveler]

I buy stainless square head (they don't strip) sheet metal screws from Bolt Depot, 100 for about $10. Leaves spares for the next project. Ditto for bolts. I haven't had any corrosion issues with aluminum.

[Bert_the_Welder]

StirCrazy wrote:

Bert the Welder wrote:
Two thoughts:
Wood isn't great in the weather. Sun, wind, water, temp changes. Something like Ipe would be much better then oak.
Second, gluing a oak board down to your roof is going to be problematic, I'd think, when you need to take it off.
Maybe best to wait for the Alum. angle or sq. tube to get restocked. Since you're "up here", have you tried Metal Supermarket (Cha-ching! $ ) or Princess Auto?

I guess glue down isnt the right word, was going to use dicore in and around the holes where the screws will go through. don't want to make it to hard to get off.

it would be so much easire if I could run the panel north/south instead of east west, but it is about 3" to wide for that.

Ah, good plan. 😉
But I would think waiting to get some AL angle and making a frame would be worth it. Al is easy to drill and make a bolt together frame to do what you need. Just be aware of dissimilar metal corrosion regarding steel fasteners and the AL. If you want to go Gucci on it, there's that AL extruded track stuff too. Strong and adjustible. But AL angle is more budget friendly and just as good for your purpose.

Steve

[ticki2]

For some reason the Sticky Feet say not to be used with rubber or aluminum roof . Perhaps it's because aluminum roofs are not always bonded to the underlayment . It might be worth a phone call to see what they think the problem is . It would probably apply to the 3M tape as well .

[StirCrazy]

Bert the Welder wrote:
Two thoughts:
Wood isn't great in the weather. Sun, wind, water, temp changes. Something like Ipe would be much better then oak.
Second, gluing a oak board down to your roof is going to be problematic, I'd think, when you need to take it off.
Maybe best to wait for the Alum. angle or sq. tube to get restocked. Since you're "up here", have you tried Metal Supermarket (Cha-ching! $ ) or Princess Auto?

I guess glue down isnt the right word, was going to use dicore in and around the holes where the screws will go through. don't want to make it to hard to get off.

it would be so much easire if I could run the panel north/south instead of east west, but it is about 3" to wide for that.

Steve

[CA_Traveler]

D.E.Bishop wrote:
Sticky Feet

Nice mount.

[Bert_the_Welder]

Two thoughts:
Wood isn't great in the weather. Sun, wind, water, temp changes. Something like Ipe would be much better then oak.
Second, gluing a oak board down to your roof is going to be problematic, I'd think, when you need to take it off.
Maybe best to wait for the Alum. angle or sq. tube to get restocked. Since you're "up here", have you tried Metal Supermarket (Cha-ching! $ ) or Princess Auto?

[D_E_Bishop]

Sticky Feet

[CA_Traveler]

StirCrazy wrote:
was your alumium fully bonded to your plywood? my roof is one piece alumium and only 5/16" plywood on the back half. the alumium skin seams to float for the most part so i have the feeling if I mounted it like that it would just lift the alumium skin off the roof.

Mine was but the plywood is not secured to the cross beams. I used VHB tape and screws and discovered I could slightly flex the roof up with the panel mounts.

After several months of driving I added 4' aluminum angle secured to the 4' beams with long screws to further secure the panels. Likely a very good decision.

Last summer in windy conditions headed into San Diego there was a huge bang and DW yelled your solar panels blew off. In the rear view mirror I saw the 20' canvas and tube sailing across the road. 😞 And DW saw the awing arm extending 10' and yelled it's the canvas. We were fortunate as the only other damage was an A/C cover - Gorilla tape solved that for the trip - considering that the aluminum awning was sheared off. That night the news reported 94 MPH gusts. Point of story: The solar panels remained secure. :R

[srschang]

If you want any size or shape aluminum tube, check Mcmaster Carr. Raw materials - metal - aluminum - tubing. Order today, you will have it tomorrow.

[jaycocreek]

I saw where one person mounted there solar to the roof rack of there Lance not having to drill any holes in the roof..She's ran some strips of metal side to side on the rack, then mounted the panels on them,then down the refer vent with the wires...Seems to work for her..