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]

I do have mounting feet so I dont neet to cut alumium angle or anything to make them.

part of the issue is the place I have to mount the panel. I have to put it across the trailer so the long side runs parallel with the rafters and the short end across them. so I cant just move the mounting brackets to where the joist are for the most part. I could probably line the front edge up on a joist but then it would be right up against a vent.

I looked at putting well nuts in but they dont do that great in thin plywood so my next option was to span the rafters with a sub frame of alumium but they were sold out of the squair tube I was going to use. my current option is making a subframe out of 2X4 oak basicly just 5strips of oak long enough to span the three rafters. clue and screw them down then screw the mounting feet of the pannels to the oak.

Steve

[StirCrazy]

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.

[tuna_fisher]

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

[Paradox123]

I used 3M VHB tape on my fiberglass roof about 10 years ago and the solar panel mounts are still tight. I’d highly recommend VHB tape for this application.

[Freep]

Move the mounting feet on the panel. It's just an aluminum frame. Drill new holes and move the feet where you need them to be.

[pianotuna]

Add additional mounts where the rafters are, made from angle aluminum.

[Crabbypatty]

I bought aluminum angle iron. 6 ft piece and cut into 3-4 inch pieces. Bolted to panels then screwed panels into the roof. I applied a healthy amount of dicor sealant under the mounts then on top once screwed in. Works perfectly no leaks. Im not interested in adjusting panels so they are hard mounted.

[Lwiddis]

I’m for at least eight feet and tape.

[CA_Traveler]

VHB tape and/or aluminum angle.

[Ed_Gee]

If you have at least 6 mounting feet, then 3M #4950 doublesided tape would work well, as long as you cleaned that aluminum roof contact points properly.