Old forum Archive
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http://archive.aluminiumcamperforum.com/

Recent Posts

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1
Camplite and Bearcat Travel Trailers / Re: Adding Solar to 21RBS
« Last post by Merlin on November 23, 2020, 11:52:12 AM »
nhlakes, I've had the A/C off the roof to install a new seal. On my camper the roof is a thick aluminum and in my humble opinion will hold the panel to roof securely if you use several #8 screws on each side like those you linked to. Other things on the roof like the antenna, vents, and skylight are just screwed into the the Al. I like the idea of Jonathon's to seal with butyl tape, but make sure you can get the screws torqued well enough. Cover it all with the Dicor self-leveling caulk you linked to. It's good stuff and has held down my cell booster wiring on the roof really well for a few years and lots of miles.

Important edit: SAFETY NOTE. There is wiring in the roof, both 120VAC and 12VDC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edit #2; Use fresh caulk. I learned the hard way that even unopened caulk I had sitting around for contingencies wasn't up to the task after a couple of years. Oops.
2
Camplite and Bearcat Travel Trailers / Re: Adding Solar to 21RBS
« Last post by nhlakes on November 23, 2020, 07:49:50 AM »
Quote from: Jonathan on November 22, 2020, 11:17:06 PM
What would be optimal is if you could fasten into the Cross beams if the spacing is right.  Uni-struts would allow you to hit the cross members but it also raises your profile and wind resistance.  Those mounts will all the "millions" of holes are nice but (I know this isn't your first rodeo)  ;) when you install butyl tape or butyl sealant and fasten the screws through it, reminder to ensure you completely cover all the exposed butyl with another polymer sealant.  UV will eat up the butyl through all those those little holes.  I work in commercial single ply roofing and we use caulk tubes of butyl sealant.

Thanks. Panel placement will be dictated by available real estate, so yes I could install a bottom bracket (what you are calling a uni-lever) to pick up the roof frame cross-members and attach the mount to that.  Considered that, but the roof is pretty thick and there is not a lot of force on the mount, so was hoping that would not be necessary. 

Would love to hear from others who have screwed into the alum roofs.

Have not thought much or researched sealant yet.  Do I need to use butyl in addition to sealant?
Already have some of this: https://www.amazon.com/Dicor-501LSW-1-Self-Leveling-Sealant-10-3-Fluid_Ounces/dp/B000BRF7QE
3
Camplite and Bearcat Travel Trailers / Re: Adding Solar to 21RBS
« Last post by Jonathan on November 22, 2020, 11:17:06 PM »
Quote from: nhlakes on November 22, 2020, 04:21:17 PM
The flexible panel is working out great, but I have decided I'm going to add a 100wt tiltable panel to the roof.  I'll be able to leave it tilted toward the south in the driveway and will not have to wonder about it being covered with snow/ice.  I'll still have the flexible panel to move about when I'm really trying to charge while camping.

Any suggestions on securing the panel mounts to the roof and/or running the wire? I may leave the wire running on the outside for now and deal with that in the spring.

Here are the small tilt mounts I'll use.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CSKFWK7

What would be optimal is if you could fasten into the Cross beams if the spacing is right.  Uni-struts would allow you to hit the cross members but it also raises your profile and wind resistance.  Those mounts will all the "millions" of holes are nice but (I know this isn't your first rodeo)  ;) when you install butyl tape or butyl sealant and fasten the screws through it, reminder to ensure you completely cover all the exposed butyl with another polymer sealant.  UV will eat up the butyl through all those those little holes.  I work in commercial single ply roofing and we use caulk tubes of butyl sealant.

Note that the mounts are listed for smaller than 100wt panels but appears many people apparently use these for the 100wt panel
https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monocrystalline-Solar-Compact-Design/dp/B07GF5JY35
4
Camplite and Bearcat Travel Trailers / Re: Adding Solar to 21RBS
« Last post by nhlakes on November 22, 2020, 09:28:13 PM »
anyone know if what is typically used is #8 or #10 or ?

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Tapping-Drilling-Bolt-Dropper/dp/B076C4QRLM
5
Camplite and Bearcat Travel Trailers / Re: Adding Solar to 21RBS
« Last post by nhlakes on November 22, 2020, 09:08:45 PM »
Have not actually noticed what stuff is secured with up top.  #2 SS self taping square head make sense.   I'll check out Amazon.  I'd seen those housings.  Will check them out. thanks
6
Camplite and Bearcat Travel Trailers / Re: Adding Solar to 21RBS
« Last post by Merlin on November 22, 2020, 08:36:35 PM »
Since you have the aluminum roof, I would think (but don't know) that it's fine to use the same attachment as everything else on the roof.......SS self tapping screws of appropriate size with #2 square drive heads. The A/C is secured with clamp-bolts, but all the other stuff is screwed.

On the wire ingress, perhaps something like this would be a permanent solution if installed in a puddle of self-leveling caulk. I assume the charge controller will be inside the camper; hence the need to run the wire inside.

https://www.amazon.com/Link-Solar-Weatherproof-Project-Campervan/dp/B0111RNZDY
7
Camplite and Bearcat Travel Trailers / Re: Adding Solar to 21RBS
« Last post by nhlakes on November 22, 2020, 04:21:17 PM »
The flexible panel is working out great, but I have decided I'm going to add a 100wt tiltable panel to the roof.  I'll be able to leave it tilted toward the south in the driveway and will not have to wonder about it being covered with snow/ice.  I'll still have the flexible panel to move about when I'm really trying to charge while camping.

Any suggestions on securing the panel mounts to the roof and/or running the wire? I may leave the wire running on the outside for now and deal with that in the spring.

Here are the small tilt mounts I'll use.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CSKFWK7

Note that the mounts are listed for smaller than 100wt panels but appears many people apparently use these for the 100wt panel
https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monocrystalline-Solar-Compact-Design/dp/B07GF5JY35

8
Trailers for Sale / 2013 16DB
« Last post by Popup2012 on November 20, 2020, 09:35:28 PM »
For sale at RV Land in Kyle,TX    No price listed and only one picture.
9
Livin Lite General Discussion / Re: Window leaks
« Last post by Jonathan on November 20, 2020, 05:15:31 PM »
Quote from: Merlin on November 19, 2020, 06:03:42 PM
I don't like mineral spirits because of the smell and I'm never sure if there is a slight oily film left. Alcohol is my go-to for final caulking prep. The price increase has me using it very sparingly however!
Agreed.  Mineral spirits has impurities in it.  It is a cornucopia of leftovers from distillation processes ;) Which may be why it has any oily residue.
10
Livin Lite General Discussion / Re: Window leaks
« Last post by stu1965 on November 20, 2020, 07:44:24 AM »
raid my russian wife's vodka stash?  :P :P :P
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