INSTALL FLEXIBLE SOLAR PANEL on RV with NO DRILLING
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ค. 2024
- I've found that the best and easiest way to permanently install flexible solar panels on the roof of an RV, trailer or van without drilling holes is to use Eternabond tape. Watch me install a 100 watt monocrystalline solar panel using this technique and generate more amps for battery charging.
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Great alternative to drilling. This will be my choice when I'm ready to do solar on my RV. Thanks for taking the time to do this video.
This is a wonderful way to install!
I used you and your videos to a great extent when I did my system. I wish the slim technology was so good and cheap 2 years ago.
Thank you Tito for all the helpful videos.
Thanks once again Tito. And beautiful scenery to boot too. Really glad to see some new DIY vids of yours popping up. Always educational and well put together. Eternabond tape is a great versatile product to keep around the house for those "Oh no" moments we can get from time to time from the rain here in the NW. Take care and happy holiday season to you and yours!
Excellent video guys! Looks like this is the "trick" for those type of panels. It looks like really great stuff. Always awesome to see a new RVwithTito video! Keep 'em coming!
really appreciate this additional install video. i was looking for a NO drill option and now i have one. thanks again
Great! I'm glad it helped.
but you still have to drill to run wires inside right?
Just digging these videos man, they are priceless. Keep them coming.
Thanks Tito! I just installed two flexible solar panels in my RV and it's helped me a lot. Greetings from Navarre
That makes for a really nice, clean installation, Brian. We're big Eternabond fans, too. The only thing that was distracting was the fantastic scenery behind you. See if you can tone down the backdrop a bit next time, will ya. ;-)
Lmao I was thinking the same thing.
+RVgeeks Yup. There's a little something in the video for everyone...or maybe it was a giant green screen?? If you listen closely you can hear the little generator running from the guy next to me (sun up to sun down).
That's why I always think to myself when boondocking.. ( Am I that guy? ) Stop The Madness Start The Adventure... Great work Brian
Thanks for all the great videos on your solar power installation. You've really inspired me.
@@RVwithTito where is that lake ?
Hello,
I am about to install Solar panels on my RV. Ventilation is a huge deal to prevent hotspots. My question to you is, did you notice any performance issue mounting the panels flat with no ventilation space under the panels for cooling on a hot day.
Thanks
This was the first I heard of Eternabond. I have four 60W flexible panels to mount to the roof of my moulded fibreglass fifth wheel, and was going to use Dicor Lap Sealant (no screws). After seeing this I ordered a roll of 2"x50' Eternabond to use. Waiting for some nicer weather up hear in Canada and will give it a go. Thanks for the tip.
ETERNABOND TAPE!!! Great idea.
I'm a walking advert for that stuff. I got tired of re-sealing the seams on my horse trailer every year and discovered it. The tape held up for 10 years, then I sold the unit.
It appears that those pannels are thin enough that if one died you could just mount another on top.
Thanks a lot for this tutorial, I followed these steps on my Sprinter 2004 and even though the roof is not flat, it's holding up just fine. Same for the cables. the only thing i see missing is the mention that you can use a Weatherproof ABS Solar Double Cable Entry to cleanly connect the cables to the interior of the RV.
Great idea ! I plan to use your method next spring. Thank a lot.
Thanks Tito it's a learning curve for me may pick your brain from time to time like your channel
Great video. I love your straight way of talking
I attached my panel the same way about two years ago. I recently changed the tape and found the panel being sealed to the roof had allowed the condensation to build up under it. The paint had come up and the roof was rusting. Luckily I found it in time and treated it with POR15. They told me once I treated the area under the panel I could seal it back down and it will never rust. If you're serious about your vehicle and your solar I'd recommend using POR15 under the panel area if you plan to seal/tape your panel to the roof.
Thanks for the tip. I'm going to be experimenting with a couple other mounting options soon.
thank you, i am installing mine tomorrow, just got amazon ship the eternabond tape.
Great way of explaining it clearly. great to see. Thanks for your personal time.
Glad it was helpful! Please checkout this new technique th-cam.com/video/uJIEXhnF8MU/w-d-xo.html. I'm no longer using the method demonstrated here.
Well I think I know how I will be putting solar panels on the roof of my toy hauler now. Thanks for this video, now it seems like a much more reasonable DIY project.
Great job. I like the way you say Ruff rather than Roof.
Interesting and love the cable management 🙂❤️
Great video Brian, the installation looks very professional +++
Thanks Mick! By the way I got your message. The video was shot at a place called Lone Rock on Lake Powell.
This is what I have been looking for thank you :)
Mo panels mo betta! Congrats.
someday i hope to put a 100w solar panel on the roof of my class b - my plan is to use 3m VHB along the two sides along the driver's and passenger sides leaving the front and rear open for ventilation - after watching this video I think I will use eternabond tape in addition to the VHB tape for added peace of mind - Thanks Brian!
Yeah. I figured it would be a impossible to clean if there was a little gap. Let me know how it goes.
Love all your videos, very informative. Wondering whether the heat will affect the performance since no gap beneath the panels. Thank you
Thanks! Looking for ideas to attach solar panel to roof of my car to power a small fridge an this helped a lot
Thanks for the great video. I know this is a couple years old, but we will be doing the same thing on our rig shortly.
Check this option out th-cam.com/video/uJIEXhnF8MU/w-d-xo.html It's a better solution.
I like the Eternibond idea. I just bought an a-frame camper, and want to put a couple 100W flexible panels on the roof. The eternibond tape idea should be easily done, and will keep the setup light and easy to manage... great thing for an a-frame roof!
I would recommend, and maybe you did it before filming, to clean the living $h17 out of the surface before putting any adhesive on it. Dirty surfaces are a sure way to kill the lifespan of tape.. it'll peel right off.
thank you your videos are very helpful!!!
Great！！！ I find you are using two types of panels for your RV. Unisolar flexible thin film solar panel and Sunpower IBC semi-flexible solar panel. Good job!!
You got me all excited I can’t wait to buy my RV and install my solar panels without making holes on the RV. Thanks for that information
Great video Tito !
Thanks
Nice installation, thanks for sharing.
Thanks!
Thanks!!! I'm going to do this on my horse trailer to run 12V lights.
love the video.. plan on doing the same.
Thought: if you ever needed to remove, thinking a utility knife (with a straightedge) running through the eternabond right at the edge of the panel would be more than sufficient to remove the panel. Of course you'd then have a panel shaped outline of eternabond on the roof, and an eternabond tape border on the panel, but that should not impede using the same method to re-install. The 'used' eternabond border on the panel could (I think) simply be re-taped over.
Question: Would love to see a wiring schematic of how your panels are connected. Budget limited, I may end up starting with one panel and adding others to the mix as time goes on. I'm reasonably certain that I have the space to get as many as 6 of the Lensun panels up there
Hey Brian - enjoy your videos. Thank you! We’ve installed three Renogy Flex panels and renogy said to be efficient they need air circulation. It doesn’t look like you have that? What are your thoughts? Thanks again.
That should hold up well, the only problem I've had with eternabond was 2 rv's ago on a really old diesel pusher (that really needed a new roof instead of 2 rolls of eternabond) - tree branches ripped some of it off first shot... so gotta be really careful with that. I do wish they had a double sided version...
Thank you for the video on installing solar panels, I was wondering do you have a video on where the wires go?
thru a hole on the roof 🤷♂️😂
Amazing thanks
Great idea using the eternal bond tape. I have a 5Th wheel with a rubber roof and did not like the idea of drilling holes in my roof. The thing that sucks is the price of the eternal bond tape is it about $60 for a 50ft roll of the eternal bond tape but I guess it's better than drilling holes in my rubber roof. I have 5 120 watt panels on my roof. Great Idea and thanks. Great video idea. ;)
Nice install, no problem with overheating and failure of panels?
Awesome!!! Thanks for showing us this
You're welcome. Glad you liked it!
Very nice job Brian !
Thanks!
I do a lot of exterior wiring. The self adhesive squares you used will deteriorate within a year or so, because of the sun's UV rays. I would suggest covering them with the Eternabond or replace with black ones.
+Protective HT Your probably right. I should have used the black ones. I did put a coat of white spray paint on them though. Perhaps that will prolong their life a bit. Thanks for the feedback.
Cleaning the roof with acetone and then spraying on eternabond primer is the proper way to insure a good bond.
Using the tape is a lot better then drilling a hole in your roof. I am sure you can remove the tape if you need to, but you can undo the drilling of a hole. I am sure you can cut the tape to get the solar panel off sometime in the future. Thanks for the video. 👍
I Just purchased a Nissan Leaf 2013 but the range is a disappointing 65 miles so I really want to try those panels . Thanks for the Idea, it was exactly what i was looking for.
Unfortunately, you'll need much more power than those panels can provide to boost the charge in your Leaf. My daughter drives a Leaf, hates the limitations, and can't wait to go back to a gas car.
Thank you for good practical advice, where did you get the solar panels from? Thanks. P.S. Subscribed.
Thanks again great infor
Good job man no holes
Thanks for the informative video. Having two 100 watt panels ready to install I would like to use the eternabond tape instead of drilling into my roof. My question is by using the tape around all for sides of the solar panels, my concern is rainwater will pool and collect on the solar panel, trapped by the surrounding tape. What has your experience been???
What a nice clean hole-free install. I just wish Eternabond wasn't so darn expensive. Great idea using it for cable management as you did. I'm gonna steal that idea. ;)
Cheers!
Thanks! I just picked up a 50 ft roll from Amazon for about $40 and plan to use it for a number of projects. You can get smaller rolls too for less.
Yup, that same roll up here in Canada is just shy of $100. :(
Yikes!
Peter Hackett
Nice job!
Thanks!
What’s you choice: Heavy Duty Velcro underneath, or Eternabond around the panels? My roof has raised ridges...
Called the Eternabond company - they say that their product is not designed as an adhesive - only as a sealer. As the person explained, "If you use this tape to hold a clock to the wall it will...for a while...and then it will release."
I took a cardboard footprint out to the RV yesterday to see how many panels I could get on the roof. I could do 4-100W! However some panels would have to overlap vent flanges, maybe some rain gutter. I wouldn't want to put anchor screws there and it would be uneven for the Eternabond tape. What about using VHB tape inside the perimeter away from the rough spots (underside) and sealing up all the edges with the Dicor?
Just watched your video. I know it’s 6 years old but I appreciate the info. Also have just watched your newest revision as I try to decide how we’re attaching panels to our camper. All that being said, I’d love to know what the location is in this video??? How beautiful. Any response is appreciated. Thank you.
Very inspiring! Thanks for making it so clear and simple!
As far as no drilling, what if you're starting from scratch and setting up the wiring? I'm thinking of using the panel application on an SUV or small van, I've seen people run them through the window... Your thoughts on options?
What ever you feel comfortable with. If you don't feel great about making a hole in the roof and sealing it up well, then going into a window is a viable option.
Nice job, especially the wire tie holders. How many amps do you get out of the flexible panels on average?
Thanks! Those cable anchors are working great. Each 100 Watt panel generates between 5-6 amps.
Thanks. Nice informational video and just what I was looking for. Is this tape easily removable, if needed?
So 2 things.......1 where are you at? It looks amazing! 2nd, how do I run the cords into my campervan without drilling holes? I've thought about bringing the cords in through a window but then rain and people seeing the cords and getting nosey.....
Looks like Page, Arizona -- Glen Canyon Dam / Lake Powell. Had my VW Vanagon towed there once. Don't know about the cabling.
How long did the zip ties last in the sun? My experience with the UV resistant one , are not long enough. Always enjoy your videos. Thanks
Couple of notes - be sure to start with a clean roof when putting down the Eternabond, and when choosing zip ties, they are not all created equal. Only the black ones are rated for UV exposure which is what you used, but may not be obvious. Nice video!
Yes. I failed to mention to clean the surface first. I did in the other video. Thanks for pointing that out.
RVwithTito can you tell me what prep or cleaning of the rubber roof needs to be done before putting down the eternabond
I can see in a other video of your you don’t use this method anymore? Was it not good ?? I ask because I want easy install of my new flex and I like this method you use here 🙂
How well do these flat flexible panels work in comparison to the hard side standard panels? This may be the solution I need for my 'soft roof' travel trailer.
great info and very nice looking installation. how much tweaking did you do about panel placement, especially withv them hooked in series? your intro shows a fairly significant shadow over one panel. does it affect your power output very much?
Thanks Jack. That was the last good spot I had left so I didn't really need to tweak it much. I just didn't want it to be crooked. That would bug me forever, so I was sure to measure and mark the corner locations with a sharpie first. When boondocking, I try to find a spot out in the open. Most of the panels are mounted near the edges of the roof to minimize shading from the vent covers and AC unit in the center. The shadow you saw in the intro timelapse occurred pretty close to sunset. At that point I wasn't getting much juice anyway and had already been using my portable panel on the ground (pointed at the sun). Hope that helps!
You a smart fellow. Thanks.
Make sure you watch my latest video. It's an update to this method.
Another method is to try the Grace ice and water shield that comes in 36 inch wide rolls and is made for high temps and wind and is double sided so it can be applied to the back of the solar panel, then placed where you want the panel then peel back the outer paper backing and press it down to the roof or wall. There only one hitch, if you don't get where you want it the first time your screwed. That's how strong this stuff is and comes with a 25 year warranty for around $89.00 a roll.
That sounds like a good option too. I'll have to check it out. I wonder if it comes in thinner sections.
I'm not a big fan of flex panels on an RV. Glueing them down on the roof creates two problems, both heat related. First, the hotter a panel gets the less output, sometimes by as much as 15%. I see at least that between my summer output and winter numbers, glued down to the roof the panels don't get the cooling effects of air moving under them with traditional mounts, which elevate the panels. Second, the heat transferred to the roof is significant making your inside temps much higher making the AC work harder. Of course in the winter it's an advantage :-)
Lastly, the efficiency/reliability of flex panels is no where close to the efficiency of traditional mono/poly crystalline. When roof space is an issue that's something to take into account.
I think flex panels claim to fame is when your attaching them to curved roofs like boats etc., where solid elevated mounts are impractical.
Ron W
Thanks for sharing your comments Ron. I'm familiar with those potential draw backs but am willing to roll with it because of the benefits they provide me. In relatively sunny conditions, the performance is really good actually. I added a little more solar than I need to account for the potential performance loss in warm weather (or winter time). I also have a portable setup. We also live in the Pacific Northwest where it doesn't get very hot, but travel to the southwest each year when it's cooler. I guess only time will tell and I'll keep posting back as to how they are holding up. So far so good.
Not only do they offer less efficiency, they're easier to crack and their longevity is much shorter than raised panels. If I'm going to invest in solar, then it better last a long time. In fact, I refused to buy an RV that came pre-installed with them. The dealer thought they were a good selling point, but all I saw was the future headache of trying to remove without damaging them. No sense in paying more upfront for something I'll need to replace, but can't resell.
great job, my only issue is you can't raise the panel up to maximize efficiency, which with solar is huge, just sayin
I've used flexible panels on a camper and my travel trailer. After a couple of years something went bad and at least one connection became intermittent. So both panels failed. The last flex to fail was a 30 watt. It was pretty light so I just glued it down with Dicor Lap around the edges. It did come off OK when it failed. It was not going anywhere
I really like your idea of the putty squares and then screwing down the panels. I wasn't sure whether to seal all the way around or leave any kind of vent, when it came to using the Dicor. I don't know if there is any moisture issue under the panel. I left a slight venting area that I shimmed up a bit, on the low side of the roof.
I might try the flex panels again, since the price is closer to the rigid panel price and there is a lot less weight. Is it a great idea to walk on them? I don't know. I have old rigid panels that are bulletproof. I bought 4 panels used from a power plant that was scrapped, back in '92. They are still going strong. My neighbor has that camper.
If use a hard edge to squeeze out even the micro pockets of air under that tape. I also wouldn't hesitate to use some high heat, UV resistent silicon around the box. If you need to remove the tape, some Dif *might* work but you'd probably have to scratch up the tape a little with a box cutter. I'm more interested in the power output of this than how to mount it.
Nice thank you😀
Great vid, as I try and decide on which way to go with my system: so, at this point, would this still be the direction you would recommend for a new van build? Thx for all you do ;)
I still think securing the grommets with screws is the most secure option, but Eternabond has been working well for me too. I haven't mounted to a metal roof though. If I did it again with Eternabond, I would put a little more double sided adhesive underneath. I've noticed that Eternabond can soften a little in high heat which may cause some bubbling if there is any reverse pressure from the panel pulling up an edge or something.
Nice installation for the flexible solar panels. Are all the solar panels the same wattage?
Thanks for sharing.
Three panels are 100 watt. The others are odd ball sizes like 128 watts and 68 watts.
You should always protect your cables and wiring on the roof. Especially if your staying in areas with harsh environments like Floridas corrosive salty air and high UV levels. I like to route my cables in small diameter pvc conduit which can also be mounted down with your tape along side the panels
Agreed. All of my cables are protected with flex tubing now.
Nice! I have a fiberglass canopy that I want to put a single 160w panel on it. I'm thinking of using strong magnets. I just did a test and magnets easily attach to each other through the fiberglass. Wish me luck!
Good luck. I've used magnets on our tow vehicle and they work fine "most" of the time but I wouldn't trust it long term especially if there's any kind of lift under the panel. You might attach a safety wire to it just in case.
@@RVwithTito "attach a safety wire to it just in case." Great idea, thanks. And I might tape down the lead edge to prevent that "lift".
I have heard that those little square you used to hold the wires may get real brittle if they are not UV protected.
I took great plans from Avasva . It help me a lot with my own solars.
You will not get very many air bubbles from the eterna bond using just your hands. Use the roller and better yet, the back of a spoon. This from an art restorer who knows tapes.
Yeah, I can generally get them out, but it takes some serious hand pressure. A roller would certainly work better. Never hear the back of the spoon idea. That sounds promising.
Dang what a neat idea, can't wait for spring so I can get some of those as well. Question, if we mount 4 100w panels, can you give me a ball park idea of how much power I would have? I have no clue..also do you store the power in a battery or something like for power on demand?
The 100 W output of an individual panel is an ideal maximum, and most panels do not achieve the ideal, especially if you cannot move and align the panels so face and follow the sun's rays. So, maybe you'll get 50 W or so on average. And, you will need a battery/charge controller to save this harvested energy.
If you have an array large enough, you might be able to run some appliances directly from solar power, but the reality is, that you need a battery to store energy. The more panels you have, the faster the battery will charge.
good job
What would you recommend for someone planning on doing the same, on a *RED* vehicle? I'm turning a vehicle of mine into a camper with a solar panel up top, but a big white panel with white tape would look fairly odd. Thoughts?
Wondering if the corner tape laps could be sealed with an RV caulk. Could be done such that tape could still be pulled up if removal was desired.
amazing background
Do this work with the aluminum backed flex solar panel you talked about on another video? I really like that product but wonder if it would work with this tape?
I want to know how that's stands in the heat. I had a 3m doubleside auto tape melt on my windshield.
Man you were my first search result, and I don't think I am going to go with another solution. This is genius, I don't need to mess with the roof of my vanagon making any drilling. Is the panel still ok?
There have been some Recent updates to this. Check out my last few videos.
This is a great method, probably the best video on the internet on how to secure solar to roof without drilling.
Thanks for this video, we just purchased a new 29 foot class C, no way am I drilling any holes in the roof, plus it would void the warranty........
You are right
Do you have a feeling for whether the panels run hotter or cooler being taped down?
So did you hook them in series or parallel? Also, It would be great if you showed the roof penetration and how you made it.. I know there are many ways to do this..I assume you just made a hole and put the wires in and put lots of Dicor self leveling sealant around the hole...is that correct?
All of my panels are hooked in series. I ran the cables down my grey tank vent. I have several videos about this stuff so here's the link to the playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLIsusUNNN2JZy86scvMapcyKd371Gf84A.html.
would have like to seen how you ran your cables to your generator. How big is your RV?
thanks, I want to convert my old crappy 70's RV to electric, and I wanted to know if this would be good enough to do so along with regenerative braking. my goal is not to have it run completely on solar and never recharge, but rather to recharge less often.
Looking to do this to my minivan
Just watched this again (got it on my list!).... anyway, just starting to get my solar components. 2 -100 W suakoi flex panels, a renogy 40 A Rover MPPT, Eternabond Tape. need disconnects and cable runs. thinking of using breakers ( instead of fuse/switch combo) for disconnects. Thoughts?
I also have a small suaoki panel. I like the matte coating on those. It'll resist scratching more.
i’m thinking while my RV which is park next to my house that I might want to cover the solar panels from time to time. Does anyone ever cover their solar panels and if so what are good reasons to cover them? What are you using to cover them obviously it Hass to be somewhat waterproof.
Tito, do you have any problem with the panel from over heating in the hot sun, I was told that some panels have broken down because of over heating??/!!!, please help. Thank you
Eternabond and duct tape, the two greatest inventions for the handyman.
Don't forget JB weld!