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Old 09-05-2020, 02:42 PM   #1
CaptainDave
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Rafter locations for solar panel install

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With the installation of solar being discussed, where can I get information on locations of rafters? I believe they are spaced 16 inches on center, but I'd like to have measurements from a vent to find starting point.

2021 HC 331RL
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Old 09-05-2020, 03:16 PM   #2
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Of the hundreds of solar panels I have installed on RV roofs, location of rafters hasn’t mattered. Point of entry for the cables seems to be more important IMO.
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Old 09-05-2020, 03:24 PM   #3
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Thank for your quick reply. My 2021 HC 331rl is basically plug and play with Jaboni system. Mount panel, plug into roof port, connect charge controller to wires behind basement bulkhead, install remote display in pre drool opening and connect plug in wire. Your done. I know with the 7/8" took decking it should be fine. Just wanted to hey a rafter toward the front of the panel for security.
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Old 09-05-2020, 03:54 PM   #4
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If it helps, I haven’t had or heard of a failure yet.
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Old 09-05-2020, 05:48 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainDave View Post
Thank for your quick reply. My 2021 HC 331rl is basically plug and play with Jaboni system. Mount panel, plug into roof port, connect charge controller to wires behind basement bulkhead, install remote display in pre drool opening and connect plug in wire. Your done. I know with the 7/8" took decking it should be fine. Just wanted to hey a rafter toward the front of the panel for security.
I don't know of any Keystone RV that has 7/8" roof decking (I think that's what you meant to say with the "took decking" in your post)...

The Montana HC line is built with 5/8" floor decking and 3/8" roof decking. There's not any 7/8" decking anywhere in the construction.

As for the roof decking, all of the solar panel installations that I've seen are done with components that span the spaces and "hit or miss" the rafters. All of them have had no failures due to panels separating from the mounts. As Chuck stated, I'd be more concerned with routing of the electrical connections than with finding rafters to secure the panel arrays.
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Old 09-05-2020, 06:07 PM   #6
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Thank you, sorry about my spelling, and I meant to say 7/16" decking. That is what I have on my paperwork. The new 2021 are fully solar preped as a docking port is installed on the roof and the wires are strung to convenient locations to ease in instillation. Jaboni partnered with Montana over that last 1.5 years to improve in "solar preped". Jaboni has some nice YouTube videos on their products featuring Montanas.
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Old 09-05-2020, 06:16 PM   #7
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Jaboni was putting solar prep on Grand Design units when I left that dealership. 95% of the solar installs I did were from scratch using mostly GoPower components.
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Old 09-06-2020, 06:53 AM   #8
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Is this the tech you are talking about?



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Old 09-06-2020, 06:57 AM   #9
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Use a Stud Finder and then you'll know. Stud finders work on aluminum framing as well as wood.
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Old 09-06-2020, 07:54 AM   #10
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Thank you, great idea
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