mounting solar on the roof of your rig?

[hsmunoz]

Hi guys
I am doing some research as I get ready to add some solar panels to my alpine.
for those of you that mounted the panels to the roof, how did you do it?
-just drove screws into the roof and sealed with self leveling goop? what size screws?
-anchors of some kind?
- went all the way through the roof to the ceiling?

I am going to mount 2 245 w panels, up there.
TIA for the help and advice
Henry

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by hsmunoz

Hi guys
I am doing some research as I get ready to add some solar panels to my alpine.
for those of you that mounted the panels to the roof, how did you do it?
-just drove screws into the roof and sealed with self leveling goop? what size screws?
-anchors of some kind?
- went all the way through the roof to the ceiling?

I am going to mount 2 245 w panels, up there.
TIA for the help and advice
Henry

The roof of the trailer is anywhere for 4 to 8 inches thick from the rubber membrane to the inside paneling.

Many of the Keystones have 3/4" or 1/2" plywood under the membrane. (You can determine the thickness of your roof by dropping the plastic frame on a ceiling vent which will expose much of the construction of the roof to your view.)

The trailers are built with ceiling/roof joists that are either 24" or 16" on center.

With those facts in hand....

1. Unless you really think you need screws long enough to penetrate from the membrane to the interior paneling, I would offer that something in the 1.5" to 2" length would be very adequate depending on the thickness of the brackets.

2. Diameter of the screws will pretty much depend on the size of the brackets and the size of the panels. #10's or #12's would probably be good. If it were my project, I'd use stainless steel.

3. No need for anchors as long as your roof underlayment is 1/2" or greater in thickness.

4. If the roof doesn't have at least 1/2" underlayment, you could always locate the joists and place your brackets there. In that case, I'd recommend 2" screws.

Get yourself a tube of the Dicor self-leveling caulk and goop up the screws and brackets liberally when it's all assembled. Use the other caulking already on the roof as a guide for how much to use, etc.

[hsmunoz]

thanks STeve for the great advice!

[MNawman]

I had a company install solar panels on my first coach. They weren't experienced with RV s and I developed a leak by one of the brackets. A RV tech told me they should have put the putty tape under the bracket and sqirt some sealant into the screw holes before they drive in the screws. Then use the lap sealant all over the foot of the bracket and on the back side as well.

[craiglud]

I installed a 60w panel on my 238ml and it has worked great so far. I used sealant between the bracket and the roof and probably 1.5in screws. On the leading edge I was able to drill the screws into one of the metal supports which is very strong and then just mounted the rear where they lined up. I ran the power lines down the vent behind the fridge and out the bottom of the trailer and over to the charge controller and battery. I also mounted my 60w to offset so that I could add another 60w for a total of 120w if I needed it.

It took time doing the install however I love the results!

[hsmunoz]

well,
I finally took the plunge and installed 2x235w panels on the roof of my Alpine. I got some mounting brackets from the solar supplier that had sealing tape between the bracket and the roof, then I covered each mount with that dicor self leveling sealant. I drilled through the front cap so the wires ran down the wall next to the washer/dryer closet, then under the bedroom dresser through an existing hole (followed the washer dryer water lines) to the front access area. Added a 45amp MPPT controller into a bank of 6 6V cart batteries. Then that bank into a 2K Pure sine inverter into a sub panel that runs everything but the AC and washer outlets.

I can run the fridge using the inverter all day, and have juice to spare at night. spent 4 days at the camp site and did not run a generator at all. and that's with two other campers (wife and daughter) who plug in blow driers, use the microwave all day , watch tv, and otherwise consume amps.

very happy with the project, but should have gone with the 60amp MPPT just in case I wanted to toss another panel on the roof, heck they are cheap enough these days!
thanks to everyone that gave me advice , both here and by PM.
regards

[Festus2]

hsmunoz -
Nicely done! With that set-up, you will be able to do a lot of dry camping for quite a length of time and still be able to take advantage of many small appliances. Having 6-6v batteries must add a bit of weight!