Ahesive for Solar Panels to Motorhome

4wsilver-

Just had a thought-- Have you considered a "hot met adhesive". They come in a variety of products, capabilities and properties such as melting point, viscosity, flexibility, tack, adhesion to different substrates, resistance to chemicals, crack resistance and a variety of other significant properties. Perhaps one of the best properties for you to consider is the melting point and how much adhesion it looses getting to that point. If the panels are going to be subjected to high heat from the sun and other sources, hot melts would most likely be in your favor.

Again, I'm not going to recommend any particular supplier because, as I said before, I know that there is a lot that I know but most importantly I know that there is even more that I don't know. Many of the sales personnel swore by them for many applications. Likewise the water and solvent based sales personnel swore by theirs.

Good Luck, Old Salt

Double sided tapes or films might be worth a look. Ask 3M about their VHB (very high bond) double sided films & tapes. I am impressed with the VHB double sided tapes I have used.

Good luck.

Doug

This is what a lot of professional installers use. They make them compatible with Tedlar. I originaly avoided these since what the installer used attracted dirt and was unslightly. I have found since that there are many versions out there. I particularly like the ones that will bond quickly (1hr) at a modest temperature increase. But they are expensive! If I use them, I will probably do the borders and about 3 strips longways across the middle. Monday, I am going to contact 3M. Right now this is my leaning.

Application of most typical adhesives using the same pattern you are now considering for the expensive tape, would almost certainly solve the curing issue. On a per area basis, do you really think tape will be as good as the best adhesive?

The tape has a shorter bonding time which can be acelerated to about 1 hour by heating to 150F. Some of the other adhesives can also do that, but they are just as expensive as the tape and require special equipment to mix them which brings the total far higher. Most of the materials you suggest will have to be at 70F for 24-72 hours. It will be a chore to keep the area to 70F for 24 hours or 72 hours (depending on the adhesive). Many of the adhesives that have been listed are also not compatible with Tedlar. I can see why the Pro's use the tape, even at the expense. I have not fully decided yet. I am going to get up with Dow Corning and 3M tomorrow since they have Tedlar compatible products and also lay one of the collectors on the roof to see how well it conforms. That will tell me some information about the initial tac required and whether I will weight bags, etc.

I suspect you don't NEED 70 degrees for 24 hours. They probably have a disclaimer something like you need that temp for curing in 24 hours. A lower temp will just take longer to cure, but you have time so why bother to heat things up. Parking in the sun will do pretty good anyway.

Where I live at 7600 feet in the winter, the temperature is such that many products will never cure. I have tried Silicones in the past and they simply fail to cure and even when the temperature warms up later, they still don't cure. Other products are even worse because they separate as some chemical components freeze while other chemicals evaporate. There is a theoretical limit where no curing takes place. I will have to increase temperature and the shorter the time, the better. The manufacturers data may have some slight margin, but it is not much, or they would take advantage of it to sell more product.

I have an RV overdue for solar panels, I also tow a flat-bed trailer, use computer's and like to listen to the radio, never turn on a TV, but I do have a high wattage projector I am installing to watch movies while comfortably in bed, also switch between the microwave and the propane stove for cooking. The VA nurse asked if I check my smoke detector, I said yes, usually three times a day. I also acquired an instantaneous AC electric water heater, not hooked up yet.

I added a 100 AH Li-Ion battery for the computer and printer power supply. And have 4 large yellow top batteries and a 5th Exide, all 12 volt for house power. Now have over $2000 in batteries.

A 4000 watt generator.

I have been measured up for 400+ watts of solar panels across the front of my RV roof. I want more power for the surface area. I have a Dutchman 29ft 1993 E350 Ford chassis that I have had rebuilt over the past year when I put 40,000 miles on.

The RV roof, and I have been thinking of solar panels that fold-out after I drive the Jeep off the trailer. I have tool boxes on the front of the trailer for my rock collecting and other hobbies. I also plan to add a ramp and parking spot for a ATV or UTV above the tool boxes for those times when a Jeep is too much.

I do spend time in the desert so the winds can be ferocious. Temp range is normally 32 to 100F as I travel North America.

I understand some solar panels throw off heat, I have considered a collection system to dispose of the heat into my water heater.

All thoughts from the group are of interest...there is plenty of meat to chew on here.