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09-16-2012, 06:34 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Name: I.
Trailer: Trillium
Quebec
Posts: 29
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Solar panel on a trillium
I would like to know if someone intalled a solar panel on the roof of a trillium 1976 ?
The roof have agood curve,so how do you install the panel? Along the roof or across the roof ? Does the wind affect it.?
Thanks
Lou
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09-16-2012, 07:27 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 5,112
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I installed one on a UHaul. It came with a narrow panel about a foot wide centered behind a vent. I mounted the larger panel to the original bracket and let it hang out in all 4 directions.
If I was starting from scratch, I think I'd use four aluminum or stainless steel Z brackets mounted on the corners and long enough to allow the center of the panel to clear the roof center. Alternatively, you could get a pair of narrow panels and mount them on either side of the center, but they wouldn't be in the same plane and that may affect their efficiency somewhat.
If the panel is well mounted, wind should not be an issue as it is parallel to the ground.
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10-07-2012, 02:05 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: 74 Boler 13 ft / 97 Ford Aerostar
Posts: 368
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Quote:
Originally Posted by multi-task
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Hi, I installed a fairly large 40 watt solar panel on the roof of my Trillium 4500 about 18 months ago. My solar panel has an aluminum frame as it was previously used in marine buoys before I got it. I made 4 “L” brackets from aluminum angle pieces each about 8 inches long an about an inch and a half on each arm, and stuck them onto the roof, then attached the solar panel to the brackets with sheet metal screws. This has 3 advantages: (1) it provides a small airspace between the panel and the roof for ventilation; (2) it eliminates worries about the curve of the roof; and (3) it means I don’t have to make holes in the roof. The setup is removable if I ever want to because the panel is held onto the brackets with screws. I used 3M #4950 VHB tape to hold the brackets onto the roof. I secured the wire running on the trailer roof and down the front to the battery box (where my solar controller is installed right next to the battery) with a different kind of VHB tape, the “No More Nails” construction adhesive tape. The system has worked great (pictures attached).
I have been very pleased with the way the VHB tape holds, and would definitely use it again if we decide to install another panel behind the roof vent.
Rick G
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10-07-2012, 09:03 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Drew
Trailer: Trillium
Alberta
Posts: 112
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Rick, did you find the 3M #4950 VHB tape locally or did you have to order it online?
__________________
Where we’re going, we don’t need a plug-in.
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10-07-2012, 09:14 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: Trillium 4500
Posts: 163
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10-08-2012, 02:50 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: 74 Boler 13 ft / 97 Ford Aerostar
Posts: 368
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Quote:
Originally Posted by multi-task
Rick, did you find the 3M #4950 VHB tape locally or did you have to order it online?
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I ordered it from National Hardware Sales Ltd. sales@nhsmedia.com 905-513-3994 in Toronto back in spring 2011. I could not find it in Alberta. Cost including shipping was $73 for a 36 yard roll of ½ inch tape, which I have since used on several other projects. I received it in a few days.
Rick G
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10-08-2012, 03:20 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 5,112
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Available through Amazon and probably eBay
Amazon.com: 3m vhb tape
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10-08-2012, 04:09 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: 1996 16' Casita SD
Louisiana
Posts: 555
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I haven't done it yet but I'm going to install my panels on hinges on the kitchen side and back side. They'll be used as awnings when up, and locked vertically in the down position. I'll make some vinyl covers for when parked (no temptations, please). When traveling I could take the covers off and be charging.
Anyway, that's my plan.... I'll start a thread when I get to it (probably before my 5 day Thanksgiving trip).
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11-25-2012, 10:53 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Tyler
Trailer: 72 Cloud
Wisconsin
Posts: 208
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I don't have a Trillium but I did install an 80w panel on my Cloud. I found that it would not mount flat because of the curve of the roof so I had to become inventive with the materials I had available. Check out the pictures in my profile to see what I came up with. Good luck with your install.
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