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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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cvbill Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2007 Posts: 208 Location: Carmel Valley, CA
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:06 am Post subject: |
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I used a tube of clear silicone sealer, for $5, Glued 3 solar panels down onto the roof of CH top, about 5 years ago. Haven't thought about it 'till you brought it up.
Did it do the job? See avatar at left _________________ Ideology trumps Reality - no exceptions |
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boof1306 Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2010 Posts: 304 Location: MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 5:13 am Post subject: |
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The feet may bond strongly to the surface coating but how strong is the bond between the surface coat and the substrate? Glueing the whole frame down using urethane would share the load better. Or you could just be boring and convensional and bolt it down. I personally would sleep better with the last option! Greg |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 9:13 am Post subject: Re: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bol |
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Aside from what is said above, the items from the solar store don't look all that impressive for the cost, unless you are totally helpless. In the case of totally helpless you would be paying some one to mount the items too. _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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joseph928 Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2011 Posts: 2114 Location: flagstaff az.
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:51 am Post subject: solar |
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You need 6 feet to hold down a solar panel over 100 watts , and you should at least have 140 watts. For the cost of the feet, you can get a good used cross bar system for the roof, Thule or Yakima. And have peace of mind that it will stay put! Also you can remove it, glue it down it's there forever! Well at least you will have one thing on a VW van that will last! I've see no reason to tilt my panels, they work great where they are! _________________ 1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug.
Last edited by joseph928 on Sun Sep 30, 2012 11:30 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 3996 Location: Maine
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thatvwbusguy Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2007 Posts: 1712 Location: Newmarket, New Hampshire
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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I would be very hesitant to trust VHB tape to hold any solar panel down using only 4 of the small 3" x 1" feet.
I have used several different types of VHB over the past few years for mocking up custom cabinetry and other finish carpentry jobs. It has great strength in a flat horizontal or vertical shear load fastening situation, but can often be pried up at an angle without too much force.
The textured surface of the poptop would be something to consider as well, since the VHB is really designed for use on a smooth surface. The dark color of the roof could also become problematic, as the pressure sensitive adhesive might lose strength when exposed to high temperatures. If you have ever used Penetrol on your top, I would definitely not count on any adhesive sticking well.
If you definitely want to try using the VHB in a situation where you are depending on the bond strength of the adhesive to hold the panel to your roof, you should be able to save a bunch of money and have a much stronger mount system by using 1 1/2" aluminum angle iron cut to lengths around 12"-18" bolted to the panel frame and stuck down with long strips of VHB.
This approach would give you a much larger contact strip of VHB, which would undoubtedly be considerably stronger than the small mounting feet would offer. If you have an angle grinder with a cutting disc, you could even do full length sections of angle iron on each side of the panel and trim away the sections that bridge the reinforcing ridges in the roof. This would give you a much more secure mounting system that should also be more resistant to the possibility of adhesive failure from angled lifting forces. _________________ Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion. |
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cvbill Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2007 Posts: 208 Location: Carmel Valley, CA
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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I had mine siliconed to the hardtop. When I went to the CH top, all I had to do is slit the silicone caulk bead, lift off the panels (3), clean them up (just rub with fingers) and reglue to new top.
Occam's Razor comes to mind, or k i s s, or don't reinvent the wheel. Your miles will vary _________________ Ideology trumps Reality - no exceptions |
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Corwyn Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009 Posts: 2230 Location: Olympia, Washington
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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I just bungie mine (85 watt) to the Yakima bars, alongside my roof cargo box. Four times Olympia, WA to Mulege, BCS without a problem. No holes drilled, but for the gutter brackets. _________________ '90 White Westy ("Knarr")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja
"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~ |
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presslab Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2008 Posts: 1730 Location: Sonoma County
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't trust VHB for that. We used some at work, and found it was coming unglued when shipped overseas. Couldn't figure out why, until one of the engineers put his coffee cup under the part with the tape, and sure enough the hot steam caused the tape to pop right off!
If you really want to use an adhesive, I'd go with some type of polyurethane - like Windo-weld or Aquaseal. And I'd recommend a pad about double that of those feet shown on the web site.
My 135W panel is attached with stainless carriage bolts. _________________ 1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti |
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Syncronoid Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012 Posts: 1110 Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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Drill it, bolt it and seal it. Cheap!
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whynotvw Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2004 Posts: 1322
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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Syncronoid wrote: |
Drill it, bolt it and seal it. Cheap!
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x2 |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bol |
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Thanks for the replies.
I have had my 135w panel mounted to my roof rack Yakima cross bars for a while now, I used SS U bolts. And I also have a Yakima rooftop cargo box. During the winter I usually take down the roof box so the van looks a bit silly with the roof rack only carrying a solar panel up there. It is time to attach the panel to the poptop roof. One of the reasons I didn't do this in the first place was my fear to drill vertical holes on top of the poptop. I'm over this fear now.
I think I will just bolt it down as suggested. If I use tape, silicone or polyurethane I will always be questioning the strenght of the bond and checking out the panel every 30 minutes. Bolting it down gives you piece of mind. Now I need to figure out whether I want to use that cool tilting mounting bracket I mentioned in my post above. Wondering how much usefull it will be.
Bill, that is amazing that your panels held in place after the rollover. You have three small panels, I wonder what the outcome would be with one heavy 135w panel.
r39o wrote: |
Aside from what is said above, the items from the solar store don't look all that impressive for the cost, unless you are totally helpless. In the case of totally helpless you would be paying some one to mount the items too. |
What do you mean with helpless? If you mean skill level or time to do this then I think you are wrong. Some people have the skills to do all sorts of things but value their time more than anything. I rather spend time with my one year-old and three year-old daughters. Installation of any of the products I mentioned above takes little time, tools or skill. It would take anybody here a bit of time and money to try to replicate/fabricate the tilting mounting bracket. While you do that, I will be at the playground. _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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Phishman068 Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 1866 Location: Pittsburgh PA (ish)
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Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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Try 3m 5200 if you NEVER want it to come off. They make a softer marine adhesive as well (4700?).
-craig |
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SpeedoJosh Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2012 Posts: 143 Location: NC
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Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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Have any pics of your current set-up with the solar panel and top box? |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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SpeedoJosh wrote: |
Have any pics of your current set-up with the solar panel and top box? |
_________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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Corwyn Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009 Posts: 2230 Location: Olympia, Washington
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Corwyn Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009 Posts: 2230 Location: Olympia, Washington
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:04 pm Post subject: Re: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bolts) |
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Well . . that didn't work!
I tried to post that I installed a 150-watt solar panel on my pop top using the VHB tape mounts and it has been up there from Cabo to Washington for three years, with no sign of release. _________________ '90 White Westy ("Knarr")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja
"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~ |
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7892 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bolts) |
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Corwyn wrote: |
Well . . that didn't work! |
Fixed.
When posting direct hyperlinks, don't use the [url] tags. _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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DanHoug Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016 Posts: 4715 Location: Bemidji, MN
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 2:54 pm Post subject: Re: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bolts) |
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all y'all remember.... if gluing anything to the top, the bond is only as strong as the layer of gelcoat/paint/wax that has been applied.
i have full confidence that the adhesive will hold onto the substrate. it is the substrate that makes my knees go weak. with a through-hole bolt, there is a known and verifiable strength relationship to the fiberglass top.
mebbe overkill. mebbe not. Do Ya Feel Lucky, Punk? Well, Do Ya? _________________ -dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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