Solar install, need tape

[Perry J]

I'm goin to install a solar panel on my Lil Bigfoot next week.
I don't think I'm going to need more than 2' at the most.
If someone has a partial roll left from their installation I would pay a reasonable price and then pass on what I don't use.

Thanks,
John

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Perry J

I'm goin to install a solar panel on my Lil Bigfoot next week.
I don't think I'm going to need more than 2' at the most.
If someone has a partial roll left from their installation I would pay a reasonable price and then pass on what I don't use.

Thanks,
John

You may need more than 2', if your panel is over 30 watts, at least 18" long and some use double tape for better bonding, so that's at least 6' there. It would be nice though to not have to purchase a 30' roll, that stuff is expensive.
We need a group chat room where we can tell one another what we need or have and swap items.

[Perry J]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

You may need more than 2', if your panel is over 30 watts, at least 18" long and some use double tape for better bonding, so that's at least 6' there. It would be nice though to not have to purchase a 30' roll, that stuff is expensive.
We need a group chat room where we can tell one another what we need or have and swap items.

It's a 50w panel.
I'm going to bolt through the roof on the forward mounts as the nuts will be in the forward overhead cabinet.
The Bigfoot has a plywood on the ceiling so the nuts will be visible unlike the Scamp with Rat fur that helps hide the nuts.
I thought I would try the tape on the rear mounts.

John

[cpaharley2008]

I see, did you happen to see those special "expanding" bolts for fiberglass, similar to a drywall, you insert a sleeve and then you screw into that sleeve, they have rubber grommets for waterproofing.

[Greg H]

If you have a True Value hardware store close by they have a roll that is smaller than the 30' roll, look in the mobile home parts section.

[honda03842]

Jim, How were you thinking of attaching solar panels to the roof?

Is the 3M tape removable?

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Jim, How were you thinking of attaching solar panels to the roof?

Is the 3M tape removable?

I do not think it is removable, sort of permanent.

[Perry J]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I see, did you happen to see those special "expanding" bolts for fiberglass, similar to a drywall, you insert a sleeve and then you screw into that sleeve, they have rubber grommets for waterproofing.

On my first two solar installations I used 1/4" bolts with a washer and putty on top and a washer and self locking nut on the inside. I also put a heavy coating of Dicor caulking over the exposed bolts on the roof.
My first install was over a year ago on my Scamp and it was still in great shape when I sold it a few months ago.
John

[Pat B Ohio]

If you are going to have bolts on the inside of your trailer, make them do double duty. Think of a use for them, like strip lighting or some other function you would like to add on the inside of your trailer. I am interested in the solar mod, but also want the panels to be movable if I camp in the shade. Has anyone done a mod with a roof frame to ground mount? Might be the best for varying campsites.