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Post by braddb on Aug 11, 2020 8:22:16 GMT -5
My wife and I have a 2017 Sportsemen Classic 181BH which I have wired up a full solar system with the remaining step being fastening the panels to the roof. The roof is just a sheet of aluminum fastened around the perimeter and (assuming) at the openings for the AC, vents, etc. I have seen all sorts of methods of installing solar panels including just using 3M VHB double sided tape. I do have a roll and tested it with some small pieces of aluminum and I do believe it would hold really well. The issue I have is, what is going to stop the entire roof with the panel attached from lifting up and down from wind while traveling? I really don't want to penetrate the aluminum unless I have to but the only solution I can think of is screwing down into the wood roof frame below to make it rigid, then obviously making sure it's sealed up good and tight with the proper sealant. I have thought of designing an aluminum frame or unistrut to mount the panels to and mounting that frame down to the roof and sealing it up good. Then I can add/remove panels as needed for repair, roof repair, etc.
Does anyone else have any experience and advice with this sort of thing on this type of roof?
Thanks in advance!
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Post by Edd505 on Aug 11, 2020 18:00:12 GMT -5
I have no experience in this but reading your post I wondered how the tape would work in heat. I live in the SW and it's an issue here with many days 100+.
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Post by braddb on Aug 12, 2020 8:01:38 GMT -5
I kinda wondered the same thing since I'm in DFW area in Texas. It gets hot here too! This week up to 104. But I did some testing with some small pieces of aluminum and it's surprising how strong the 3M tape is. I have heard from others that it's all you need. But, in my case my concern is wind getting under the panels and lifting the entire metal roof and flapping it in the wind while traveling. I don't think I have a choice but to penetrate it unless I essentially create a roof rack with struts that span the entire width and fasten at the top/side where the gutter is screwed in. Then I can move panels around as necessary and I don't penetrate the roof itself.
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Post by Edd505 on Aug 12, 2020 14:54:20 GMT -5
Only 104 today, been 100+ most days for about a month.
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Post by braddb on Aug 12, 2020 15:06:08 GMT -5
Damn that's toasty. 103 here!
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Post by laknox on Aug 13, 2020 10:22:58 GMT -5
PHX set a record for most days in a row > 110. Wimps... Lyle
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