Thanks for the recommendation, I've had mine done like this for over 9 months now and covered about 7000 miles with no problems and the panels are held on as strong as ever.
@@hearttug I've got the same question. I tried emailing will and asking to clarify. In the video he says to use VHB tape on the front panels but you can use the PL max in the back. I just installed mine and used PL max and mine are mounted towards the front of my RV. I did use the eternabond strips on the leading edge though. I also wanted clarification on where to install the anchor safety chain.
Good to caution about doing this right. I didn't, adhesive started failing after freezing. Combined with hurricane force wind gusts at Big Bend, two panels started coming off (didn't fully detach). Long story short, I repurposed the mounts with large screws into the roof, waterproofed properly. No leaks, no loose panels. Great videos, cheers.
For anyone that's wondering if adhesive is strong enough.... I just had the displeasure of removing a flat panel off the roof of my camper and it took me 4 hours with a hammer and a kitchen knife to break through all the contact patches. No amount of my strength could break off a single contact spot with the panel and the roof. So that's how strong it was.
Great installation tips! Great timing, too. I ordered these mounts last week, should be arriving soon. Thanks for all your helpful and interesting videos.
Nice job Will, no messing around, all good info. I watched a video where someones solar panel blew off their van (luckily no one got hurt) and he made a video on how well the panel was constructed. Made lemonade from lemons ;)
The roof on our teardrop is Filon. I imported these mounts from the manufacturer in China 12 years ago, they were not available in the US. I then called 3M and talked with one of their engineers who did the calculations on wind load etc. He told me which VHB tape to use and how to prep the surface. Wind load is in excess of 120 mph at times. The set I have has a longer center section. Using VHB tape every square inch of the mounting needed to be covered The consequence of not doing it right is a missile coming off your roof.
I installed 2-100w panels on my fiberglass top close to 2 years ago using this method. Just had to drill 2 holes for the cables. They ain't goin' no where. I used 1/4" self tappers with a rubber washer for stress relief and drilled pilot holes. I check it all periodically and they have always been tight. I pull up on a panel and the roof flexes up with it. Bazinga!
I have a video installing these on my newer TT, I cleaned, prepped and taped, but ended up drilling/caulking a single screw in to each bracket to the roof. 5500 miles and still very solid.
I’ve ordered these mounts as well. I won’t be using tape in conjunction with a screw. My option is that screws are sufficient. Adhesive makes future mods difficult and messy. Just my opinion
hey great video. have you looked at the price of 320 watt or smaller panels for their cost per watt. the 72 cell panels for houses are much cheaper than 12v panels. throw a couple at an mppt controller or two you can use them on an rv. just have to make sure you have space to mount a couple. 12v panels can be on their own seperate mppt controller.
I have a 86 Toyota withe the thin metal roof sheeting and I've been thinking about using aluminum extension ladders for a mount, a ladder can span from side to side using the frame of the rv for a mounting point for strength, the frame could be built as to tilt, the panels could be easily removed for maintenance or used somewhere else. There really is a void in frame mounts for rvs besides the basic light weight single or two panel stuff.
Oh man, you made that look soo easy!!! Going to have to use this method to install our 300 watt solar panels. Will those mounts hold a heavier 40 pound 300 watt panel? I'll upload a video of my install as well!! Thanks for the help Will.
Are there mount systems like these but little bit higher? I would like to use them to mount solar panels, but little bit more separation from the surface will help heat disipation.
In saskatchewan canada it's hard to get the loctite pl,would Lepage pl work the same,ok to install and glue to that rubber membrane roof ,that's what mine is,thanks
@@kyleblackburn1918 Thanks but already purchased a rigid panel. I ended up not mounting on the roof and just set it up on the ground. I added legs to it with PVC pipe and it works very well.
Hi I'm about to fit solar panels to our van, your vid is two years old now I thought I'd ask are they still secure using the bonding method you used ? 😷
Thank you for the great video, i glue my solar on the van roof witu sikaflex glue it works great even for 4000 km journey at 100km/hour but now i need to move it to put one more on , how do i do it , to get it out of the sikaflex glue . Thank you
Hey there RV's, Which is stronger this Loctite glue or the 3M VHB tape btw, I just love watching this young mans videos as I find myself doing things to my RV when in the past I wouldnt have done :) Thanks.
Can you list the Adhesives you used? The Tapes, and the "goop". I will be mounting ,my 100w Renogy to the front on my Majestic 28A and will get cable channels to stick to the drivers side. Put my (Dual) controller near or around the House Battery Compartment and make a run to both the House battery and he Motor Battery to keep charged when not using the RV. Not sure what type rook the Four Winds Majestic has, but can I use the same Adhesive on a Rubber Roof. If not, what should I use in place? Thoughts?
Hi, bought the panels, bought the brackets, have now found the VHB tape. It is 3/4” wide, the bracket surface is 1 1/4”. Is my tape wise enough? Also, why self taping screws? Is it ok to just use SS screws with pilot holes?
Would you trust these on a promaster hightop driving across country full time or would you go with drilling for a full time on the road kind of situation 🤔
You could use a preexisting electrical hole underneath the vehicle or through the firewall I guess.This likely wouldn't be worth the hassle and amount of extra wire you'd have to run, nevermind the half-asked look.
I used my fridge vent hole and ran the wires down along the other existing wires. They ended up below my cabinet behind the wood paneling. It worked super slick.
If I understand your video correctly, you used the VHB tape to hold down the corners to the RV where the panels were more exposed to wind. And where they were more protected, you used the PL Max premium. Does that mean you feel that the VHB tape is more secure than the PL Max premium? Thanks
I was not familiar with either VHB Tape or Externabond Tape. I wasn't sure what he was calling the different tapes at first and had to play back a few times and do web to see the products he was talking about. I'm a little skeptical about any plastic fastener that will be exposed to the sun for a long time. Will these solar brackets hold up through several years in the Southwest sun?
You forgot to mention that for non-porous surfaces like your RV roof and that plastic you are supposed to spray a little water on it to help it cure. I learned this the hard way...
glue only mounts are only as good as your paint, ask your dealer what the breakaway strain of the paintwork is, and they will look at you like a madman, i wonder why....
And that is why I use pop rivets on my solar panels to attach to the fiberglass roof, it will never come off with the number of rivets I use (can probably lift the van with them lol)... Also if I have to change panel it will be possible to get them loose again unlike if you use glue where it is very hard to get of and leave residue.
Anyone use this construction adhesive in areas that eventually are below 0 F in the winter? I want to be sure it won't get brittle later. (I'm applying in 70F + but want to be sure for later).
Of course, you mean NOT drilling on top of the roof, but the title could considered as a "click bait", right? :) Just teasing dude and thanks for sharing. IMHO, I would install a piece of aluminum in front a row of solar to reflect the force of wind, to reduce the chance of the solar panel being lift off (and "take off"), which you already mentioned is could be deadly result.
I've had these corner holders mounted about one season...Disaster they are,since solar panels (Monocrystal) get so hot,there's low airfolw under the cells and this year they're gone for good...
All of your videos are great, but you shouldn't tell people to glue on their solar panels it just isn't safe ;) The contact area of the plastic mounts is just not enough, they will come off at speed, or pull the paint (or the dirt) will come off eventually.
@talesjones Thats h Good it's an expensive piece of equipment :P (I bought a few not too long ago and they're alot cheaper than I would've thought tbh)
If your RV has a EPDM or TPO roof (which most RVs do), the roof is a big rubber mat. It's just laying on plywood and only secured at the edges of the roof. Fiberglass is the same way and is very thin. If you use these types of mounts your solar panels are only held on with the strength of the rubber and in strong winds or driving down the road your panels could flap on the roof after a period of time. Also as the rubber roof ages, the bond between the rubber roof and the adhesive used on these mounts weakens. Not worth the risk if you ask me. I used rubber well nuts and after trying many other mounting methods, found these to be the best.
I'm thinking of attaching flexible solar panels to my EPDM roof using tape. They only weigh 4 lbs. Do you still recommend not doing it this way? I really don't want to drill any holes. Thanks
WARNING: Put the Gorilla Glue on the roof mount and NOT in your hair. I know that seems silly, but....oh never mind. And be careful not to over torque the screws lest you strip them. Some Gorilla did that mounting my wife’s ski and her binding fell off at 40 mph. A good ski tech would have tightened those screws by hand.
Thanks for the recommendation, I've had mine done like this for over 9 months now and covered about 7000 miles with no problems and the panels are held on as strong as ever.
With just using VHB Tape and not the PL max?!
@@hearttug I've got the same question. I tried emailing will and asking to clarify. In the video he says to use VHB tape on the front panels but you can use the PL max in the back. I just installed mine and used PL max and mine are mounted towards the front of my RV. I did use the eternabond strips on the leading edge though. I also wanted clarification on where to install the anchor safety chain.
You've definitely come a long way Will Prowse! All those who you've helped appreciate you.
I like the idea of running a stainless steel safety cable through the panels. Good thinkin'!
Good to caution about doing this right. I didn't, adhesive started failing after freezing. Combined with hurricane force wind gusts at Big Bend, two panels started coming off (didn't fully detach). Long story short, I repurposed the mounts with large screws into the roof, waterproofed properly. No leaks, no loose panels. Great videos, cheers.
For anyone that's wondering if adhesive is strong enough....
I just had the displeasure of removing a flat panel off the roof of my camper and it took me 4 hours with a hammer and a kitchen knife to break through all the contact patches. No amount of my strength could break off a single contact spot with the panel and the roof. So that's how strong it was.
So it would have been easier to drill holes and later, if needed, remove the nuts then panels when needed.......haha
The idea here is not to have holes in the roof.......haha @@alals6794
Is the gal between the roof and panel enough for heat dissipation?
You're my solar "go-to" guy! I learn alot from you. (I would always drill for safety reasons, lol)
Great installation tips! Great timing, too. I ordered these mounts last week, should be arriving soon.
Thanks for all your helpful and interesting videos.
Nice job Will, no messing around, all good info. I watched a video where someones solar panel blew off their van (luckily no one got hurt) and he made a video on how well the panel was constructed. Made lemonade from lemons ;)
Hahahaha
The roof on our teardrop is Filon. I imported these mounts from the manufacturer in China 12 years ago, they were not available in the US. I then called 3M and talked with one of their engineers who did the calculations on wind load etc. He told me which VHB tape to use and how to prep the surface. Wind load is in excess of 120 mph at times.
The set I have has a longer center section. Using VHB tape every square inch of the mounting needed to be covered
The consequence of not doing it right is a missile coming off your roof.
I plan to install 2 100w panels on my fiberglass top using this mounting system tomorrow. Thanks for all you do.
I installed 2-100w panels on my fiberglass top close to 2 years ago using this method. Just had to drill 2 holes for the cables. They ain't goin' no where. I used 1/4" self tappers with a rubber washer for stress relief and drilled pilot holes. I check it all periodically and they have always been tight. I pull up on a panel and the roof flexes up with it. Bazinga!
I have a video installing these on my newer TT, I cleaned, prepped and taped, but ended up drilling/caulking a single screw in to each bracket to the roof. 5500 miles and still very solid.
Those corner mounts are providing shade too. Also is cooling the panel in turn will allow for greater yield.
I’ve ordered these mounts as well. I won’t be using tape in conjunction with a screw. My option is that screws are sufficient. Adhesive makes future mods difficult and messy. Just my opinion
This info is timeless. Thank you!
hey great video. have you looked at the price of 320 watt or smaller panels for their cost per watt. the 72 cell panels for houses are much cheaper than 12v panels. throw a couple at an mppt controller or two you can use them on an rv. just have to make sure you have space to mount a couple. 12v panels can be on their own seperate mppt controller.
Can you give us a link for the corner pieces? Thank you.
Any videos on screwing them onto the roof?
Is it ok to use the VHB tape to mount solar panels to rubber RV roofs or does it need to me metal or fiberglass only?
I want know too
Your rubber roof tears easily, branches etc. I wouldn’t trust it to not lift away.
Would you recommend sanding the roof at all (sprinter van) for a better grip of the adhesive?
I have a 86 Toyota withe the thin metal roof sheeting and I've been thinking about using aluminum extension ladders for a mount, a ladder can span from side to side using the frame of the rv for a mounting point for strength, the frame could be built as to tilt, the panels could be easily removed for maintenance or used somewhere else. There really is a void in frame mounts for rvs besides the basic light weight single or two panel stuff.
Thank You for All that you are doing for World Peace and for our Planet...
Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. La Paz.. Namaste ..
🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ ☮️ ❤️ 🕊
thats a good bit of advice tethering the panel with some wire or rope to the trailer. thnx
Oh man, you made that look soo easy!!! Going to have to use this method to install our 300 watt solar panels. Will those mounts hold a heavier 40 pound 300 watt panel? I'll upload a video of my install as well!! Thanks for the help Will.
i’d love to know the same thing! My panels are 40 pounds as well!
I have a cargo trailer with an aluminum roof if I use VHB will this whole the solar panel down
Are there mount systems like these but little bit higher? I would like to use them to mount solar panels, but little bit more separation from the surface will help heat disipation.
Where do you secure the other end of the stainless cable to? Not much metal on hat roof to wrap a stainless cable to (Vans)
wait so what do you attach the safety cable to?
In saskatchewan canada it's hard to get the loctite pl,would Lepage pl work the same,ok to install and glue to that rubber membrane roof ,that's what mine is,thanks
During the driving,
Is that plastic mount strong?
Any tips on mounting on a curved roof (Casita, Scamp, Airstream, etc.) would be great.
use flexible solar panels and glue them directly to the roof.
@@kyleblackburn1918 Thanks but already purchased a rigid panel. I ended up not mounting on the roof and just set it up on the ground. I added legs to it with PVC pipe and it works very well.
Hi I'm about to fit solar panels to our van, your vid is two years old now I thought I'd ask are they still secure using the bonding method you used ? 😷
Where can I buy those 4 plastic corner mounts. Could not find them on your link. Thanks
Would I be able to use this on top of a school bus? Thanks!
I know this video is 4 yrs old. But what size drill bit are you using? Mine keeps snapping! Help!
How timely, thank you. This is exactly the info I need to install solar panels on my Chevy Express cutaway Transport Bus which has a fiberglass body.
Thank you for the great video, i glue my solar on the van roof witu sikaflex glue it works great even for 4000 km journey at 100km/hour but now i need to move it to put one more on , how do i do it , to get it out of the sikaflex glue . Thank you
hey mate just wondering how your panles holding up
Hey there RV's, Which is stronger this Loctite glue or the 3M VHB tape btw, I just love watching this young mans videos as I find myself doing things to my RV when in the past I wouldnt have done :) Thanks.
Will, this is for a flat roof install, what is your recommended install method for curved roofs?
Can you list the Adhesives you used? The Tapes, and the "goop".
I will be mounting ,my 100w Renogy to the front on my Majestic 28A
and will get cable channels to stick to the drivers side. Put my (Dual) controller
near or around the House Battery Compartment and make a run to both the House battery and he
Motor Battery to keep charged when not using the RV.
Not sure what type rook the Four Winds Majestic has, but can I use the same
Adhesive on a Rubber Roof. If not, what should I use in place? Thoughts?
Hi, bought the panels, bought the brackets, have now found the VHB tape. It is 3/4” wide, the bracket surface is 1 1/4”. Is my tape wise enough? Also, why self taping screws? Is it ok to just use SS screws with pilot holes?
I cannot think of a reason why not. Really should not have to predrill for self tappers, kind of defeats the purpose of buying self tappers
Great vid. I have recommended your book at least a dozen times!! You da man!
Would you trust these on a promaster hightop driving across country full time or would you go with drilling for a full time on the road kind of situation 🤔
How did you install the safety rope? Are the solar panels just attached to each other or attached to the roof too? Thanks
Will, can you post a link to those mounting corners?
Where can we buy the plastic mounts you used?
What would you recommend for TPO roofs? Will the PL max premium work with that? I can't find anything about it in the technical sheets.
Can you use these for a roof rack?
What's your best method of getting the wiring into the vehicle without drilling?
You could use a preexisting electrical hole underneath the vehicle or through the firewall I guess.This likely wouldn't be worth the hassle and amount of extra wire you'd have to run, nevermind the half-asked look.
I used my fridge vent hole and ran the wires down along the other existing wires. They ended up below my cabinet behind the wood paneling. It worked super slick.
If I understand your video correctly, you used the VHB tape to hold down the corners to the RV where the panels were more exposed to wind. And where they were more protected, you used the PL Max premium. Does that mean you feel that the VHB tape is more secure than the PL Max premium? Thanks
The VHB tape is superior. But both are incredibly strong. But look up the data sheet on that VHB because it's insane
@@WillProwse thank you very much. I’ve learned a lot from your videos.
Great videos Will but I haven't heard you mention/warn that the cables coming from the solar panels have a voltage on them when connected.
Which VHB tape do you like the best. I see 3M offers several different models to choose from.
Will this work on a asphalt shingle roof assuming this is done on a shed?
I watched many video about this bracket that nobody use it for house roof, I wanna to know what reason why, who can tell me?
Will this work with laminated rubber roof ? ( cruise America Rv )
I was not familiar with either VHB Tape or Externabond Tape. I wasn't sure what he was calling the different tapes at first and had to play back a few times and do web to see the products he was talking about. I'm a little skeptical about any plastic fastener that will be exposed to the sun for a long time. Will these solar brackets hold up through several years in the Southwest sun?
Do you think it safe for a metal house roof ?
Hi Will ... thank you for the info .... But I notice 3m VHB has a number of types .... can you specify the VHB (number) type please ..Pete
Thinking strong magnets are a better and cleaner solar panel install
Can this be effective on an older RV with an aluminum grooved sheet metal roof? Thanks!
How is 3m VHB Tape more secure than PL Max??! I'm about to install a 395W panel on top of my fiberglass roof.
I liked your setup there. Where can I get those white corner brackets that you used??
How about a video on mounting panels on school bus roofs?
Renogy specify Sikaflex 252 for bounding, not cheap but...
Will what size eternabond tape? 2", 4"? most of what I see available is 4"
UPDATE VIDEO WILLLL PLEASEEEE❤
Hey, where do I get those brackets from, could find them at my local home depot
You forgot to mention that for non-porous surfaces like your RV roof and that plastic you are supposed to spray a little water on it to help it cure. I learned this the hard way...
Thanks for the video though! Really useful!
More good advice, thanks Will.
Do you have a link to the mounts?
glue only mounts are only as good as your paint, ask your dealer what the breakaway strain of the paintwork is, and they will look at you like a madman, i wonder why....
Mr Sunshines
Bare.
@@TheYogaZen Difference between "bear with us" and "bare with us" is important.
@@Jollyprez hahaha
And that is why I use pop rivets on fiberglass roof... Also when using pop rivets it is easy to remove again unlike if you use glue.
What? Install a rope or safety cable in case the installation fails? Where do you tie off the rope?
And that is why I use pop rivets on my solar panels to attach to the fiberglass roof, it will never come off with the number of rivets I use (can probably lift the van with them lol)... Also if I have to change panel it will be possible to get them loose again unlike if you use glue where it is very hard to get of and leave residue.
Anyone use this construction adhesive in areas that eventually are below 0 F in the winter? I want to be sure it won't get brittle later. (I'm applying in 70F + but want to be sure for later).
Would this work on a house?
Of course, you mean NOT drilling on top of the roof, but the title could considered as a "click bait", right? :) Just teasing dude and thanks for sharing. IMHO, I would install a piece of aluminum in front a row of solar to reflect the force of wind, to reduce the chance of the solar panel being lift off (and "take off"), which you already mentioned is could be deadly result.
Drills pilot hole for self drilling and tapping screw
I've had these corner holders mounted about one season...Disaster they are,since solar panels (Monocrystal) get so hot,there's low airfolw under the cells and this year they're gone for good...
Are you selling these mounts?
Hello will how are you doing today.
All of your videos are great, but you shouldn't tell people to glue on their solar panels it just isn't safe ;) The contact area of the plastic mounts is just not enough, they will come off at speed, or pull the paint (or the dirt) will come off eventually.
This is fantastic!
Good video
Thank you
Mam
"Potentially Kill someone" But what about my panel? 😂
Their face broke its fall.
@talesjones Thats h
Good it's an expensive piece of equipment :P (I bought a few not too long ago and they're alot cheaper than I would've thought tbh)
If your RV has a EPDM or TPO roof (which most RVs do), the roof is a big rubber mat. It's just laying on plywood and only secured at the edges of the roof. Fiberglass is the same way and is very thin. If you use these types of mounts your solar panels are only held on with the strength of the rubber and in strong winds or driving down the road your panels could flap on the roof after a period of time. Also as the rubber roof ages, the bond between the rubber roof and the adhesive used on these mounts weakens. Not worth the risk if you ask me. I used rubber well nuts and after trying many other mounting methods, found these to be the best.
Yep that's exactly what I say on my website. That's why I also say in this video that this is for metal/fiberglass roofs. Did you watch the video?
Also, fiberglass is fine to mount on as long as there is no water damage. It's strong enough.
Yes I saw the video but didn't hear you mention it. I only saw the pop-up text mentioning fiberglass and aluminum. Great video BTW.
I'm thinking of attaching flexible solar panels to my EPDM roof using tape. They only weigh 4 lbs. Do you still recommend not doing it this way? I really don't want to drill any holes. Thanks
The fiberglass roofs are attached to the plywood with an adhesive.
Tefgel them self tapping screws! Keeps the rot to a minimum
Good information
List of Components and other methods for mounting solar panels onto a vehicle: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-panel-mounts.html
Will you are a diamond - Its just how we fixed ours a couple of years ago and they havent budged
Nice!!
And thanks :D
TFS Great ideas
Safety line? Attached how and to what?
Thanks will for this exposure. Be well!
I'm not sure this method would be applicable with a TPO roof.......
Thank you !!!!!
What is the name of the panel mounts and where did you get them? Thanks Will. Love your videos and just bought your book.
I got identical mounts from Renogy, also comes with 2 more mounts - 1 in middle both sides. Maybe Will just doesn't use the middle mounts?
WARNING: Put the Gorilla Glue on the roof mount and NOT in your hair. I know that seems silly, but....oh never mind. And be careful not to over torque the screws lest you strip them. Some Gorilla did that mounting my wife’s ski and her binding fell off at 40 mph. A good ski tech would have tightened those screws by hand.
I have a fibreglass roof but no way would I trust any sticky products (manufacturers lie/exaggerate).
Uhhh anyone use 5200?
U know that a drill mate?
Really shouldn't use stainless fixings in aluminium. Otherwise, good vid though, thank you