Adding solar questions

[Dhardy193]

I am going to add rooftop solar to my 2020 greyhawk 30x. My question in regards to fastening z brackets for solar panels to the fiberglass roof are there any preferred methods? What material lies beneath fiberglass to screw into? Should I forego screws and just use an adhesive? If so what product do you recommend? Where have you mounted the charge controller? TIA

[Jim Davis]

For mounting a Renogy 100 watt panel I used Number 12 x 1 inch self taping and glued/caulked the brackets with 3M 5200. The controller I put near the fuses.

[GHen]

I use lots of Dicor self leveling under the brackets then all over the top covering the screws head.
Most hardware stores will carry it it you don’t have an rv dealer near you.

[Rebel112r]

Does anyone know if Jayco installs a breaker between factory 190W panel, and the Go Power controller. I don’t know where one might be on my 2021 30z. I know where controller is. Thks

[GHen]

There is not a breaker, or an intended place for one on the “wired for solar” units in my 2017.
None of my kids RV’s have a breaker installed between their factory solar and Factory controllers, they are not Jayco’s.

I see them installed on aftermarket systems.

[bluztoo]

I would install a fuse if there isn't one present. Don't know what they install as mine just had the solar prep and I did it myself.

[ARoamer]

Originally Posted by Rebel112r

Does anyone know if Jayco installs a breaker between factory 190W panel, and the Go Power controller. I don’t know where one might be on my 2021 30z. I know where controller is. Thks

I would install a breaker or at least a disconnect since most charge controllers I know of recommend disconnecting panels before disconnecting battery connections and when hooking up to connect the battery before connecting the panels. You may be able to simply unhook a wire on your controller if needed.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by Dhardy193

Should I forego screws and just use an adhesive? If so what product do you recommend? Where have you mounted the charge controller? TIA

I did. Forgo-ed (for-goo? forgo'd?) the screws and used 3M VHB from Home Depot. But I also did not use the Z brackets. I used 3' lengths of aluminum angle. On each side of the panel. So each 100 watt panel has 6 feet of 1" wide VHB tape holding it down.

Year four - zero issues.

And, as I've said before, I've also got a nylon strap up there as a safety strap. It won't hold them down but should hold them from flying completely off in case something terrible happens.