What do you think about the drill less solar mounts?

[taylorbob1]

Here’s one panel with feet attached
I’m still debating if I need the middle feet which came with the mounting kit (all 6 mounts for $22)
If I do decide to add the middle two, I will after after initial 4 foot install.

It all depends on how level/flat the roof is.

[Long & Winding road]

Awesome Taylorbob. Your doing the right thing but waiting on the last two feet. Depending on the slope of the roof the middle brackets might raise up one side of the pannel where the other two feet dont touch. But if you can use all 6 feet - since your glueing them down. Please post more pictures when done.

Judge - Awesome. I was debating on the Flex vs Ridge for over a year (still have not pulled the trigger). I been too busy this spring Plus im waiting on Taylorbob results with the drill less mounts before I pull the trigger.

Please update your progress as well and post pics.

[taylorbob1]

Everything went as planned
No snags

1) I located the two spots on the roof where it was most level so that the drill-less mounts would remain flat & be out of the way & allow me space if I decide to add two more panels
2) with the mounts on the panels, I marked with a sharpie around the feet, then moved panels out of the way
3) I then lightly sanded the mounting locations on the roof for maximum Sikaflex adherence
4) I put down the Sikaflex adhesive in the marked locations & then placed the panels in their locations
5) After an hour or two, I removed the panels from the mounts & placed adhesive around the entire outside & inside of the mounts allowing adhesion under where the panels block access to the mounts
6) Finally, screwed the panels back on to the mounts, and connected all the wiring

These panels aren’t going anywhere.

I’ve got Solar, it works great!

I am glad I went with solid panels vs flexible
Long lasting, long warranty, best cooling properties
And actually, solid mono crystalline is less expensive than flex even with the mounts and adhesive
Solids take a little longer for install but will deliver higher output

BTW...I decided NOT to use the middle mounts
I don’t think that they are needed with these 20” x 40” panels

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by Long & Winding road

....I thought everyone was Against the glue down mounts on the TPO roofs? LOL.

I like the idea of it. Much easier and less chance of leaks. Can you add Eternabond tape to streathen it? Or for a backup in case something lets go?

You can always add like two screws (opposite corners) if you decide you dont like the glue down method or want a backup plan - just in case. Two holes are better that 4 (well 8 = 2 per a mount tab).

Let us know your final thoughts (after the panels are mounted) on the glue down method.

It's been well over 36hrs
The adhesive has cured
All I can say is WOW!

Those panels are not going anywhere
I can shake the rig by using the mounts as a grab-bar

IMHO...No need for additional screws or Eternabond tape

Again, I'm so glad I researched this alot before I made the final decision
This method IS the way to go...solid panels and drill-less mounts

I'm already craving two more panels and an upgraded 40amp MPPT controller

[Long & Winding road]

Thats Awesome. Thanks for the update. I guess I need to pull the trigger before its 100 deg outside.

I would still check them a few times after you do some test runs on the interstate.

[Bob Denman]

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1558011040

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxAKFlpdcfc

[Long & Winding road]

You know i been on the fence on this "Drill less" vs. "drilling" mounts for solar panels for some time. Just when I decide on one ....someone changes my mind.

I guess I should look at it like this.....Do the drill less now.... and if I see any of them loosing up (over time) or tugging too much on the TPO roof (Stretching the liner - making wringles in the materal around the mounts) then I can always put one screw per a mounting locaton to stiffen it up... So its NOT like I have to re-do everything and be upset I picked the wrong mounting method for my RV.

Taylor Bob... Have you done any High Speed tests on the interstate yet? Can you hear anything moving around.... Is the TPO roof stretching at all?

Would putting Eternabond tape around the mounts reinforce the TPO? Maybe put the tape UNDER the mounts before they are glued down? What do you guys think?

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by Long & Winding road

You know i been on the fence on this "Drill less" vs. "drilling" mounts for solar panels for some time. Just when I decide on one ....someone changes my mind.

I guess I should look at it like this.....Do the drill less now.... and if I see any of them loosing up (over time) or tugging too much on the TPO roof (Stretching the liner - making wringles in the materal around the mounts) then I can always put one screw per a mounting locaton to stiffen it up... So its NOT like I have to re-do everything and be upset I picked the wrong mounting method for my RV.

Taylor Bob... Have you done any High Speed tests on the interstate yet? Can you hear anything moving around.... Is the TPO roof stretching at all?

Would putting Eternabond tape around the mounts reinforce the TPO? Maybe put the tape UNDER the mounts before they are glued down? What do you guys think?

Long&Winding:
don't over-think it

if you have anxiety about it, just drill one hole in each of the two front mounts and put in a couple of screws in your roof with lots of sealant

nothing is moving around on my roof, there is no stretching, the mounts are solid
for now...i'm doing nothing
they are perfect

but...you better buy your panels today before the tariffs take place!!!

[Long & Winding road]

Ok, thats good. I guess I can always add a couple of screws later if it really bothers me.

The prices have come some down this year on the Renogy panels and solar charge controler I been looking at.

Sure I can find some cheaper off brands but I want quiality.

Plus they still have the tax created this year.

Thanks.

[taylorbob1]

i've driven my coach and used the recently installed solar
the mounts are secure, no change from when they were installed

the 200 amp solar works great

i have boon-docked and find that I can keep AIMs 1200 watt Inverter on all day with TV running (on FOX News using an Apple HDMI Adapter from my cell phone).
additionally...with full sun I can also run Norcold 300 watt Refrigerator on electric all day without losing amps on my two Interstate Deep Cycle 12 volt batteries.

when it gets cloudy, i switch the Norcold over to propane and that reduces the draw enough to maintain batteries at full charge.

for those of you boon-dockers still on the fence, you can easily add solar for very little investment and a day's worth of DIY.

[Bob Denman]

Congratulations!
(Solar panels have been moved up to the #2 position on my Wish-List.)

[Long & Winding road]

Good News, I been waiting on your test drive before I pulled the trigger.

I will wait until after this holiday then place my order.

We are taking the Axis out this weekend (first trip of the year for us). I been looking forward to it.

I plan on installing one (or two) 12 v fans in the front of the RV, have TV on some and lap top plugged in along with the frig on inverter power. I figured (hoped) the solar panels would prevent my two 6v agm's from discharging very much during the day. Then use propane at night.

[taylorbob1]

All good ideas
As long as there’s sun on your panels, you’ll be golden!

[taylorbob1]

It’s been 30 days and 1,000 miles

The mounts are as sturdy as the day they were fastened

The solid panels working great.
Good cooling properties, cost less, and long warranty (vs flex panels). The only down-side is 15# per panel extra weight (vs 3# per flex panel)

For now I’m using an $11 Amazon/PowMr 30amp PWM controller

I was at beach the last few days with filtered sun most of the time. Ran the Inverter 6-8 hours each day, kept Norcold on propane. No issues, plenty of power to run my fans, lights, computer and TV as needed.

[taylorbob1]

here's a fellow Thor owner (not sure if he's on the Forum any longer, his last post was a year ago) who installed a HUGE rooftop solar system on his Axis 25.2
several of you current Forum participants are on this Jan-2016 thread

what's interesting here is that he used 3' aluminum angle pieces as mounts to fasten his panels.
if you look closely, the aluminum pieces are inverted under the panels
he did not use screws, but rather Eternabond tape on the underside (or so he says)

here's the thread...
Outfitting solar on Axis/Vegas

here's the photos of his 480 watt / 3 panel install
Huge 480 watt solar install

[taylorbob1]

Solar install has been mentioned recently on the Forum.
This is a good Thread with informational posts for those interested in taking the leap.

[taylorbob1]

I wrote in another thread that I had to remove one panel with four drill less mounts so that I could install a Trav’ler dish in its place.
I was able to remove the four mounts with a plastic putty knife and a little persuasion. No damage done, no holes left behind.
So, the drill less mounts worked for me.

I have since added a 3rd panel with the drill less mounts.
You can see that I use black Gorilla tape to hold down the cables which I covered in wire loom.
Here’s a photo of the install...

[Pete'sMH]

I was planning to use them. Even bought a set. And I’m sure they work just fine since lots of folks use them. But in the end I decided to go ahead and drill. My panel is 38 inches long and my aluminum “rafters” are 16 inches apart. I located them with a stud finder and used 6 “Z” brackets all of which went into the aluminum structure. Pre drilled for stainless steel screws, injected Dicor into the holes, puddled more Dicor to bed the brackets and finally flooded the brackets with still more. My panels are not going anywhere and there is zero possibility of a leak. There are lots of good options though.

[petef]

if you like to park in the shade roof mount not a good idea.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by petef

if you like to park in the shade roof mount not a good idea.

There's an easy fix to that one... don't park in the shade anymore.