Mounting solar panel pop top

[roan]

Hi, I got a 2008 Jayco Discovery Pop Top and bought 2 x 200watt solar panels. I have read several threads how to mount them but still doubting between adhesive or screws. Hope anyone can give me a definitive answer what is best. I am leaning to adhesive/sealer plus screws but not sure the risk of getting leakage but also don’t want to risk my panels to end up in someone la front window. Appreciate the advise cheers !

[Jayhawk 29]

Originally Posted by roan

Hi, I got a 2008 Jayco Discovery Pop Top and bought 2 x 200watt solar panels. I have read several threads how to mount them but still doubting between adhesive or screws. Hope anyone can give me a definitive answer what is best. I am leaning to adhesive/sealer plus screws but not sure the risk of getting leakage but also don’t want to risk my panels to end up in someone la front window. Appreciate the advise cheers !

Its fairly common for fixed solar panels to have the companion brackets that fasten to the panels and takes two fasteners run into the roof any most cases. The fasteners usually come speced with the dedicated brackets.

Most folks that I know use Dicor caulk to bed the flanges and then coat the tops of the flat flanges with the caulk right over the heeds. As long as you do not oversize your predrilled holes for the fasteners, which I normally do on all of my installs, to date I have not has a problem.

Now I would also question the installs of panels from the factory though, knowing the numerous other issues of campers being sent out of most any names production line though. Its good to check with your physical hands how solid they feel and if there is no overlay of caulking on the heads of the fasteners, for sure make that you next "to do" item on your list when buying the first or second or third time.

Depending on your brand and type, this is an example of what I use. Renogy has similar types.
https://richsolar.com/cdn/shop/produ...0152&width=900

[bankr63]

I would be a little leary of glue on a pop-up top too. It strikes me that it would hard to get adhesion to that shiny pebbled surface without some sort of surface preparation. On the other hand, there isn't a lot of meat under the surface to screw into either - screws would probably go straight through and look like hell.

I think if I was doing this, I would use the sport rack load bars and attach the panels to the bars. The bars attach solidly to the rails at the side of the roof. I had them for several years for our bicycles and they were solid and never leaked where they attached.

[roan]

Thanks for the info. I have bought aluminium brackets and fix15 adhesive which is recommended by a 'solar'. specialist. next question I have is the screws. The roof is made up of thin ply with fibreglass and have some beams underneath. I tried to locate the beams with a stud finder but no consistent success unfortunately. You think I can just screw it int he ply/fiberglass part and will that hold? Together with the adhesive sealer of course.?
I thought maybe using 3 aluminium bars from side to side. screws these in the side beams of the rood, which I can find.. and screw the solar on the aluminium bars. on the other hand it is more screws and more change of leaking as well..

[TaftCoach]

It would be helpful to know what style panels you bought. It sounds like you bought rigid, aluminum framed, panels and not flexible.

I wouldn't hesitate in the least to use proper adhesive on the flexible panels.

I like your idea of the aluminum bars. This also gives you flexibility of a panel gets damaged or fails for some reason.

[Jayhawk 29]

These work really well, if you wish to just go the route of fasteners into your top. Bed them with a good caulk. Thhen run your fasteners into them. Since there may have some difference in the threads, you can fine panhead fasteners to use instead of the taping screws that normally comes with the rigid solar panels.

https://www.boatoutfitters.com/stainless-steel-t-nut

[roan]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

It would be helpful to know what style panels you bought. It sounds like you bought rigid, aluminum framed, panels and not flexible.

I wouldn't hesitate in the least to use proper adhesive on the flexible panels.

I like your idea of the aluminum bars. This also gives you flexibility of a panel gets damaged or fails for some reason.

Sorry they are indeed fixed panels. 2 x 200watt renogy panels. I was doubting about the flexible ones but went for the fixed ones because of heat distribution and efficiency.

[roan]

Originally Posted by Jayflight 23

These work really well, if you wish to just go the route of fasteners into your top. Bed them with a good caulk. Thhen run your fasteners into them. Since there may have some difference in the threads, you can fine panhead fasteners to use instead of the taping screws that normally comes with the rigid solar panels.

https://www.boatoutfitters.com/stainless-steel-t-nut

This would work if I could access the roof from the inside, which unfortunately I can't. although I will have a search if there is a possibility

[Grumpy]

Since you have an Aussie unit it's going to be difficult to get "exact" help since they are not always built the same as the US units.

The pop-ups here are 1" styrofoam sandwiched between the aluminum roof panel and the ceiling panel.