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Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bolts)
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madspaniard
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 11:37 pm    Post subject: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bolts) Reply with quote

Has anybody tried these sticky feet? They use very high bond (VHB) tape to attach the mounts to the poptop

https://rvsolarstore.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=112

Concerns? Ways to improve it without using bolts or screws thru the poptop fiberglass?

I was actually going to buy this cool tilting mounting frame in link below for my solar panel when I ran into the stick feet

https://rvsolarstore.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=39&product_id=58
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cvbill
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 5:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 9:13 am    Post subject: Re: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bol Reply with quote

madspaniard wrote:
Has anybody tried these sticky feet? They use very high bond (VHB) tape to attach the mounts to the poptop

https://rvsolarstore.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=112

Concerns? Ways to improve it without using bolts or screws thru the poptop fiberglass?

I was actually going to buy this cool tilting mounting frame in link below for my solar panel when I ran into the stick feet

https://rvsolarstore.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=39&product_id=58

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.
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:51 am    Post subject: solar Reply with quote

Blue Bay Bus 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! Laughing I've see no reason to tilt my panels, they work great where they are!
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Last edited by joseph928 on Sun Sep 30, 2012 11:30 am; edited 2 times in total
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Timwhy
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 11:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Drill some holes and bolt that sucker down!
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thatvwbusguy
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 1:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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Corwyn Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Drill it, bolt it and seal it. Cheap!

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 11:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Syncronoid wrote:
Drill it, bolt it and seal it. Cheap!

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x2
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madspaniard
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:04 am    Post subject: Re: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bol Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 5:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have any pics of your current set-up with the solar panel and top box?
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

SpeedoJosh wrote:
Have any pics of your current set-up with the solar panel and top box?




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PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:02 pm    Post subject: Re: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bolts) Reply with quote

Update:

I installed a Renogy 150 watt square panel on my poptop, using "sticky feet" mounts:

https://rvsolarstore.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=112

It has been up for three years, from Washington to Cabo, with no sign of coming undone. The best solution in my mind as you don't drill through the roof.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bolts) Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:09 pm    Post subject: Re: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bolts) Reply with quote

Corwyn wrote:
Well . . that didn't work!


Fixed.

When posting direct hyperlinks, don't use the [url] tags. Wink
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 2:54 pm    Post subject: Re: Mounting solar panel on poptop using 3M VHB tape (no bolts) Reply with quote

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?
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