Sikaflex and Solar Panels
Submitted: Sunday, Sep 25, 2011 at 13:05
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kwk56pt
I notice on E bay some plastic solar panel mounting blocks. They claim they can be fixed to the mounting surface using a product such as sikaflex. I was wondering had anyone had success just using a bonding product without screws to fix the mountings to a surface to mount the solar panels on.
I have a alloy canopy on a patrol so I am not sure whether to bolt some Rhino Bars to it and mount the solar panel on the bars or try the sikaflex and some plastic or alloy mounts. The canopy is painted so I tend to think the sikaflex can only bond to the paint and hence to my way of thinking only the paint would hold it on.
The data on my Lorentz panel does not specify a underside clearance so I was wondering what it should be ?Higher is better and lower looks neater.
Thanks Peter
Reply By: dublediff - Sunday, Sep 25, 2011 at 13:10
Sunday, Sep 25, 2011 at 13:10
I used sikaflex to mount my panels on the roof a fibreglass van. I used a couple of small screws as
well on the mounts, more belts and braces though. The skin of the roof is only 4mm thick so the screws are minimal in effect. I read of some examples in the states where they simply sikaflex without screws.
I would be worried about applying it to a painted surface like yours though, I would want to screw right through the canopy and use the sikaflex, or similar, as a sealant.
I have a 30mm gap between roof and panels to ensure airflow and avoid overheating the panels.
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Reply By: olcoolone - Sunday, Sep 25, 2011 at 13:31
Sunday, Sep 25, 2011 at 13:31
Sikaflex is a high quality construction adhesive and in most cases works very
well if used right.
Sikaflex is a brand name only with many products covering a wide range of applications, most common is there polyurethane adhesives.
Sikaflex fails when it's not used right or for the right application.
Another option may be 3M VHB double sided tapes, these tapes can have form a stronger bond then the parent material.
If bonding to paint the adhesive qualities will only be as good as the paint adhesion to the base material.
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