Which Brand Solar panel?

[Jon and Kay]

I've always found a 4 inch nail to be reliable adhesive.

[shonky]

Hi, all.

Jon and Kay - that'll be a fair way down on my list of preferred options.

[Jon and Kay]

Shonky, After driving in the nail you go inside and turn the nail end into a hook. Mrs Shonky will have somewhere to hang all the clothes you leave lying around. Also good for hanging carcasses so you age your meat.

Remember to seal the inside with Sikaflex 11FC , although if you choose this option, Mrs Shonky might make it warmer for you inside than on the roof.

[jon_d]

I think silicon sealant is terrible to pain over.

There are sealants and adhesives, and a mix. Sealants have a much lower sheer rating strength. Bunnings sell the automotive paneling sika which is a couple of grades stronger than 11C. and a couple of grades more expensive too.

[baysidetas]

Fixing flexible panels.

I am working thru. the various options for fixing flexible panels to the roof of my MH which has what appears to be a rubber roof that has a number of "loose" areas which seem to get larger and smaller depending upon the strength of the sun. Under the rubber membrane there is a thin layer of some form of timber panel but I am unable to determine if it is a composite material or plywood.

I would welcome the advice of anyone who has had experience with a similar type of roof and flexible panels.

Barrie

[Craig]

Personally I wouldn't even consider trying to attach flexible panels to an EPDM roof. Even the recommended sealant (DICOR self levelling sealant) has to be replaced every few years. Adhesive does not adhere for very long and I can't think of a brand or type that would. I did however use sikaflex under the panel brackets on my EPDM roof but I also attached via mechanical means as well . ie screwed.

[T1 Terry]

The latest experience suggests a composite build. Lexan Thermoclear 10mm panel with 10mm x 20mm angle along the long sides and rivet nuts located to align with the eyelet holes in the semi flexible panel. Glue the whole assembly to the roof using Selleys Armour Flex FC with a bead around the edges and a cross through the centres. Clean the whole area with lots of metho, don't be tight on either the metho or the rags and give it plenty of time to dry. Once you are happy that the base has adhered well, around 12 hrs, fit the panel with a bead of Selleys around the edges and screws to attach the panel to the base. If the panel fails you can easily remove it from the base and refit the warranty replacement, the Lexan will allow the cooling required as well as the thermal insulation to stop the heat entering the RV.

[shonky]

Hi, all.

FYI when buying a tube of 11FC it's only possible to acquire one nozzle. Great if you're going from a wide bead to a narrow one. That big hardware store cannot obtain extra units from the suppliers, which is sad, and sell more adhesive accordingly. One quick email to Sikaflex and I purchased 20 of the little devils on line. Surely that hardware mob can stock them, even if they're kept under the counter.

[T1 Terry]

Hi, all.

FYI when buying a tube of 11FC it's only possible to acquire one nozzle. Great if you're going from a wide bead to a narrow one. That big hardware store cannot obtain extra units from the suppliers, which is sad, and sell more adhesive accordingly. One quick email to Sikaflex and I purchased 20 of the little devils on line. Surely that hardware mob can stock them, even if they're kept under the counter.

At the local store they even sell them in packs of 5, either nozzle size, but a request at the paint counter gives you a nozzle in what ever size you require. I've moved on from Sikaflex to Selleys Armour flex, simply a better product

[Craig]

The latest experience suggests a composite build. Lexan Thermoclear 10mm panel with 10mm x 20mm angle along the long sides and rivet nuts located to align with the eyelet holes in the semi flexible panel. Glue the whole assembly to the roof using Selleys Armour Flex FC with a bead around the edges and a cross through the centres. Clean the whole area with lots of metho, don't be tight on either the metho or the rags and give it plenty of time to dry. Once you are happy that the base has adhered well, around 12 hrs, fit the panel with a bead of Selleys around the edges and screws to attach the panel to the base. If the panel fails you can easily remove it from the base and refit the warranty replacement, the Lexan will allow the cooling required as well as the thermal insulation to stop the heat entering the RV.

Hi Barrie

Terry's suggestions here sound pretty good but rather than gluing the whole thing to the roof and voiding any roof warranty or the selleys Armaflex not adhering to the EPDM I would contact Eternabond and speak to them about using their "double stick" products. At least it is designed to adhere to EPDM and I believe is a much better choice.

Craig