Mounting Solar Panels Without Drilling Through Van!
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2024
- ***11/18/21 Update: I just finished my 7 month, 20,000 mile road trip across the country. Every month I would check the condition of the panels. I was worried they would lose strength eventually. They are as strong today, as the first day I installed them! I drove them through intense heat, cold, and strong wind. Just wanted to let you guys know.***
***10/31/2022 Update: It's now been 33,000 miles with these panels and I haven't reapplied once. They are still as strong today as the first day I applied it. The construction adhesive truly is strong as hell. I still test their strength every month and at the first notice of any loss of strength I will reapply the adhesive.**
This is the easiest way to mount solar panels without drilling through the van. I wished I would have found this sooner. Watch this short video and I hope it reaches you before you buy some flexible solar panels like I did haha.
Let me know if you have any questions on the products, there's many ways to mount a solar panel. I encourage you to put some thought into it and do it right the first time.
Here's What You'll Need:
Renogy Solar Panel 2pcs - amzn.to/2NurWyB
Mountain Brackets - amzn.to/3dsYOCT
Adhesive - amzn.to/3rWZ6pg
Support the channel by purchasing some of my Pre-Workout that funded the trip!
realisticallyf... - Авто та транспорт
Anyone who doubts this sikaflex adhesive are clueless... its pretty much whats holding everyones windscreens in and they are bullet proof 👌
I know, I don't doubt them for being a little skeptical. If you have any experience with this though you'll quickly find out that nothing is going to tear this off. I tried putting that in the description but I guess people don't always read.
The windscreen that is getting pushed by the wind INTO the automobiles body vs getting sucked off the top of the roof. The windshield also has adhesive touching the entire edge. Not the same, not even close.
Hi, thanks for the update on how strong the bond was after all the driving. This really helped me understand / confirm to use sika and not drill holes into the roof. :)
Well I always suggest roof mounting still just due to the extra piece of mind. From driving this whole time I know the adhesive is so damn strong, but once a month I still check on it to make sure. With the roof mounted brackets you wouldn't have to worry about that...BUT the adhesive has worked very well for me.
I've seen a lot of drill less type mounting and many use VHB 3 M tape instead of adhesives. Not sure which is the strongest. For me I used VHB tape and then I also for more security connected a thick cable from the panel to the frame of a roof mount just in case the panel did fly off the van. It's just a single 300-watt rigid panel for a much smaller van application. The base of the mounts is also covered with tape too.
Install a safety line and tie them to it just in case and then you will be golden.
Thats a good idea.
3M Trim Tape might be easier and even stronger. It is amazingly strong and lasts for decades. I had to remove some vinyl top trim on a minivan for painting and that tape was still tenacious after 25 years.
Genious, I knew it must work, now my only worry is what if I change my mind and want to install a roof tent later :) Thanks man!
Then unfortunately you're screwed. It definitely does work but you need to decide if you want solar or not. You could always do 2 solar panels towards the front of the van and then have a flat roof towards the back. Then you'd have a flat space to act as a roof for your tent too.
Hi, thank you for sharing your experiences and tipps 🙏. Cleaning the roof should help, I guess 😜
I suppose I should clean the roof haha. Thank you for watching the video and hopefully you can learn from my silly mistakes:).
Comments from ppl that have no clue about these adhesive , they are used to glue car body panels kits etc , i defy anyone to try to unstick once they are set , ive had my panel on van 4 years its stuck solid also have a dead flexi panel on motorhome i cannot get off ,
I know...I understand how they could hear "adhesive" and freak out, but I figured my description would put them at ease. I tell them I check the strength every month or so and try lifting them off. They haven't lost a single ounce of strength. Those things are not going anywhere haha. They've already survived 30,000 miles in every type of climate.
Do you have any good recommendations for adhesive?
😂😂😂
Works fine. Glue brackets on and weight down overnight before glueing to van. Mark out on van before glueing and weight down overnight once on van. Surfaces need to be cleaned properly before glueing though! They will stay on forever.
Yeah I'm thinking I could have even scuffed up the surface to make the adhesive grip more. But it's already been 3+ years and 30,000+ miles and they haven't lost an ounce of strength
Just a heads up for others out there. Sika 252 should be used with an appropriate primer. For painted surfaces, the primer is 206 G+P and for plastics the primer is 215. In this case, you paint the plastic surface with 215 and allow to dry for the recommended time and apply 206 G+P to the painted surface and allow to dry for the recommended time. Once both primers are dry, you then can apply the Sika 252 to the surface and join.
3M VHB Tape with proper surface prep is the most secure no-drilling attachment for solar panels.
I agree, I used renogys no drill mounts. CLEAN the roof and lightly scuff the no drill mounts with a scotch bright pad and clean again with rubbing alcohol then vhb tape to the roof. To connect the mount to the panel I used a fat self taping screw on each mount.
Once cured i apples eternal bound over the feet of the brackets to shield the vhb tape from the elements.
How's The Panels Holding Up With That Adhesive, Any Fly Away ???
It's been 3 years, 45,000 miles through intense heat, wind, and cold. They literally haven't lost an ounce of strength. I still check on them once a month and I couldn't pull them off even if I tried. So if you apply them properly, still test the strength of them monthly to make sure it stuck properly...but mine are so damn strong.
So many people worried about glue. How do you think the roof of the vehicle is attached and doorskins and truck box sides? All glue.
I don't blame them. I'm sure hearing glue causes concern. The strength of this adhesive is truly insane though. It's been on for over two years now and 30,000 miles. Every month I tested the strength and it hasn't lost an ounce of strength. So I'm really happy with how it turned out, and how easy it was to apply.
Im doing this too. Ifound a cheap plastic white spoiler that you can glue on the roof at the front of the van. This should take all the wind off the rest of the roof when going at speed. Just an idea
I was looking for something like that? do you have a link for it? I will say, I'm 7 months in, 20,000 miles in and they've showed no wear or tear yet. I would love to have that additional security though.
How to you get it off if it breaks down?
I just unscrew the bracket and the panel should be easier to take off.
Mine just flew out on the freeway lol and it was bolted down to my old van and it was so strong that the brackets and bolts remain intact. Broke off from the factory solar frame the aluminum gave out.
Edit: it lasted almost a year
Damn...that's concerning to hear haha. Mine just survived 20,000 miles and 7 months of driving. I don't plan on having it last more than a couple years. I check constantly if I need to reapply an adhesive to it.
My worst fear! Someone could die!
@@newyorkpeggi Yeah, me on my motorbike. So not only can we not see shit because it’s a van but we have to try and see if there are solar panel’s up there that could kill us at any moment. If it didn’t kill me I’d be seeing the driver down the road at some point.
@InimitaPaul don't forget the planes above could have pieces fall of it n crush u
doing this on my scion xb, thanks! just need to figure out how to get the wires inside but I'm thinking extended cables through a cracked window or something
Yeah, I went ahead and drilled small hole for the wires. That was pretty easy to patch and make waterproof haha. I've seen people run the cords through their windshield so I know its possible! Maybe find some tape that's the same color as your car so no one will notice the wire haha. Goodluck!
Wondering if Sika 118 is better.. can glue a concrete block on a wall in seconds and its impossible to remove it.
No doubt there's probably stronger adhesives out there. Its a whole new world to me. I will say its been 3 years and 45,000 miles and they haven't lost an ounce of strength. So I'm happy how it turned out.
Imagine one panel flying out of your roof on a highway landing on the car behind you... Uppss... 😬 I think I don't want that to happen.
What do you suggest for an adhesive for concrete?
I don't even know. That's out of my field of expertise.
I've done this recently with my T4 and it seems super strong but I've read a few examples of late of solar panels flying off on the highway. When you think about it, you're really just securing the feet to a thin layer of paint.
I'm going to put a single strong bolt through each foot and through the roof. It'll be a bitch of a job since my ceiling is already installed but it'd not worth the risl in my opinion.
Yeah I think you have the right idea. I could be a bit ignorant and stubborn on this. I plan on buying a second bottle of the adhesive and smother it in the stuff. So far I've driven across country twice in it without issue, but it does concern me.
@@movememovement yeah honestly I think it's fine It just bothers me while I'm driving that's all. I guess the sort of roof you have makes a difference too. Mine has had a DIY paint job ontop of the factory colour so I'm not going to take the chance. Great set up by the way! Wish I could fit that much solar on my roof haha
@@TomBedlammusic If you sand paper down the part of the paint and clean it with alcohol you increase the odds of not flying away.
@@obgaming101 yeah I did that. But listen to what you just said. "increase the odds of it not FLYING AAWAY" haha just scary is all. Ive bolted them now. cant be too careful
Wind is getting underneath the panels and lifting them up out of the frame. Have some kind of wind deflector to stop that.
Where dod you get these mounts friend?
Link is in the caption of the video - amzn.to/3dsYOCT
I'm thinking about going this route as well. On the renogy website these brackets are described as long lasting and uv resistant but that doesn't really say anything. How long is this seal likely to last? And how long does the plastic last before becoming brittle from the sun? Just wondering if your research into these provided any clues?
I'm not sure how long they will last but they survived a year and 10,000+ miles in every climate. So far hasn't lost strength. I check monthly and will add more if it ever weakens.
I had the same idea but was afraid... how strong is this?
It's been 3 years, 45,000 miles through intense heat, wind, and cold. They literally haven't lost an ounce of strength. I still check on them once a month and I couldn't pull them off even if I tried. So if you apply them properly, still test the strength of them monthly to make sure it stuck properly...but mine are so damn strong
Defintely like those mounts much better than the others we see for sale, as they have much more surface area for contact to the roof, the only problem being that they seem to "shadow" parts of the solar panels.
I agree. I will say I am a little worried about them during high speed winds. I check every two months and it's been 12,000 miles and they haven't lost an ounce of strength yet. I also used a knife and scraped the bottom a little bit to give it something to grab. So far they haven't budged.
but can you remove it again without marks?
Good chance it may leave marks. The thing is so damn strong that I haven't had to remove them yet.
@@movememovement pls update me if u ever remove them!! will put some on my peugeot 208 glass roof...
@@spectator5144 Will do! At some point the solar panels may give out and I will have to replace the panels. Not sure if I will ever take off the brackets though.
@@movememovement i think the same... lets hope for the best. bless you
I wonder if u could hv use that ahesive straight onto the panels & not use the blk brackets? Would it work?🤔
Yes I could have, but I wanted to use the brackets just incase a panel ever became defective. Then I could unscrew the bracket and replace the panel easier!
How do you run the wiring into the van ?
I drilled a hole on the top of the roof. I made a watch my "flexible solar panel" video. I explain it there! You get a drill bit, drill a hole, and put a plastic wire housing unit over the hole.
How's it holding up a year later?
Still incredibly strong. Can't pull it off even if I tried. I'm going to take it out for two months soon. So I may decide to add a little extra on top to be extra safe. It survived the entire trip around the country though. Held up great. So I'm very please with it. I'd still recommend using roof racks if you have the opportunity. I just installed my sealing first for some reason lol. So I wanted to find something that wouldn't need holes.
Are those holding up ok? Update?
So I left May 1st and have put about 10,000 miles on them. I check on them every 3 months and just checked them yesterday. They're still equally as glued on as the first day installing them. I was surprised at how well it held up. I'm in the North now and it's a little cooler up here. Not sure if they would be good if I was in hotter states for longer. So far so good though!
I hope you will come back with an Update, whether you have any problems using that glue. You didn’t say how it was removable, without damaging the roof.
I can confirm after 7 months of driving and over 10,000 miles in extreme heat, cold, and wind, they haven't lost an ounce of strength. Every month I would check the strength to see if I had to add more and they're still as hard as ever. To be honest, I'm not sure if there is a safe way to remove them. I'm assuming there's a certain chemical that can be used to weaken the substance. That is obviously a major downside is not being able to remove theme easily. If you are making your own van I would definitely recommend the roof rack. Unfortunately I didn't have that foresight and did these instead. I'm happy with how they turned out though.
Suggestion for you in future. Use threaded rivets to anchor your brackets if you wish to mount directly onto the roof. Better yet, mount square tubing onto roof and the brackets into them. This tubing will be standoffs to allow air below the panels and maximize efficiency. Semiconductor materials work most efficiently when kept at very moderate temps. Hope these work well for you.
He does not have a drill!
Threaded rivets are called RIVNUTS.
U channel
Any update on your install
Yes! I drove the van around the country for 8 months. It survived 20,000+ miles in exteme heat, cold, and wind. Each month I'd test the strength of the panels and they didn't lose an ounce of strength. I don't think I could pull them off if I tried. I would still advice drilling the panels in for extra reassurance, but I can confidently say the panels haven't lost any strength at all!
Solid information. Best of luck on your trip! Can't wait to follow along!
you could have put the adhesive on the top piece instead... and you would have been able to access back of panel by uncoupling the holders
Yeah, I don't doubt that was the better way to install it. Unfortunately I didn't think it through all the way haha. Thankfully after 6 months and 20,000 miles they're still as solid as the first day I installed them. I check once a month to make sure everything is fine. My biggest concern is a panel breaking. I suppose I'll cross that bridge when I get there. If I were to do it again, obviously I'd install a roof rack and go the safe route.
THANKS!
*great idea but I hope it never comes off*
Do a follow up video plesse
So I went on the van life trip. 8 months of straight driving everyday. Over 40,000 miles through extreme heat, cold, and wind. Every month I would check the strength of the panels I can confirm they haven't lost an ounce of strength. I still don't think I could pull them off if I pulled really hard. So this adhesive truly works if applied properly. I'd still recommend drilling it in, as it'll make removing them easier. For me this method worked and continues to work over 2 years later.
Ty
Are they still on?
I can confirm after 7 months and 20,000 miles they didn't budge at all. Each month I would check and they never lost strength. I went through intense heat, cold, and wind and they held up perfectly!
@@movememovement Holy shit that is badass!
@@DancingFairy333 Yeah I was very impressed lol.
Just put 200w CIGS BougeRV with the sticky tape. 👍
I have been debating doing that too. how is it holding up? any issues and did you use anything else to help secure it?
@BeverlyAdventures I used the sticky tape initially for the flexibility solar panels. But for these panels you're going to want these brackets and some construction adhesive to really make sure it stays down.
@@movememovement do you recommend the bougerv flexible cigs panels? Those have been the ones u wanted but worry about them flying off and did you secure to a roof rack? I heard they can damage the van roof if just put directly on it so has me hesitant
@BeverlyAdventures no I don't personally recommend the flexible panels. I tried them initially and they lose efficiency faster. If you don't need much solar I don't see it as an issue....but I will say, if you haven't installed the inside ceiling roof yet then you should definitely screw down the roof racks and properly install the solar panels. I used this method in the video because I had installed flexible panels. Then my interior roof. Then I realized the flexible panels weren't as efficient. So I had to find a way to install the panels without drilling through my van.
unfortunately your bracket adhesion is only as good as the paint finish and when the paint finish is only microns thick and not very solid, you are taking a risk not using mechanical fixings on the bracket.
How about an update?
I can confirm after a couple months of driving and over 3,000 miles they haven't budged at all. I check on them once a month to see how strongly it's being held down and have an extra tube of adhesive ready to go if I need to apply more. It's been fine for now. Even driving at 75mph.
@@movememovement just a thought that you could attach thin steel braided security line from panel to panel corner as a backup if one falls off it will hang and for it to exit roof all would have to come off which is probably impossible
That's actually a great idea! Doesn't sound too hard to do as well!
Did you use any primer with the 252 like someone suggested or just straight out of the tube?
Nice, Never would have thought of that
I only wish I found it sooner haha. I went on my first trip with it too. The stuff holds incredibly tight and it was beyond easy to install!
nice one
Thank you so much!
I got my solar brackets but they're so big they kinda hang off of the ribs on top of my promaster. They're big enough to reach over the gab but ya, there is a gap underneath so they're not making full contact. I got the caulking and eternabond tape so I'm hoping that's gonna be enough.
Yeah mine were too big as well. I ended up just using a lot of adhesive under the sides it hung over and it held up. I ended up buying more adhesive so I can just cover the brackets in it lol. The stuff is holding down pretty damn strong and has survived two road trips so far. I'm still a little nervous but they haven't budged yet. What kind of van do you have?
@@movememovement I have a ram promaster 3500 extended (the biggest one) I haven't started my project just yet. Been waiting for the weather to get a little warmer so that the caulking will adhere properly. I got all of next week off so I'm gonna take a stab at it then.
@@sages101 yep I have the 2500. If you do it the same way I did it you'll be fine! I ended up buying 4 of those adhesives for 4 panels and just smothered the things in them 😂. You should be fine if I am!
@@movememovement Thanks I'm pretty stoked to give it a go. I'll let you know how it all turned out lol
@@sages101 please do! Ask me if you have any questions. I'll let you know where I went wrong and what I wished I knew 😂.
Dude, that is so dangerous. Clean your roof and use primer!!!!!
You are probably right...but in my defense I check them monthly. The moment they lose an ounce of strength I'll reapply or removed and replace them. As of now it's been over a year, 15,000 miles, extreme heat, extreme cold, and extreme wind. They haven't lost any strength. The adhesive is construction grade and they have held up better than I could have possibly imagined. You are correct though. There is definitely a much safer way I could have applied this. Thankfully it's worked out for me.
Attach the flex panel(s) to the hood of your van.
A family of three was killed in Tasmania Australia because a solar panel flew off a camper van where it was only glued down. Just use riv nuts!
I’d say that’s how to properly make a hash of it being fair.
I don't even know what that phrase means lol...but, the panels have survived 8 months and 10,000+ miles around the country in all kinds of conditions. Will check strength and apply more adhesive when I take it on a trip again.
You said twice you didnt do as you should have…maybe you Should DO as you should…men are terrible for following directions…yes we are…lol…it IS important to follow directions mostly…losing a panel on the HWY is not a good vision…
Believe me I understand...but the van has survived over 30k miles through intense heat, cold, wind, and more. Every month I check the strength of them and they haven't lost an ounce of strength. The adhesive is beyond strong and I don't think I could rip them off even if I tried. So I am 100% sure will never fly off.
@@movememovementI'm really surprised that it lasted & stayed on the roof. I don't think that would work for mine. My solar panel is raised up & sitting on a roof rack. Had I come across ur video B4 I bought my roof rack, I would have saved some money time & headache attaching the panel onto the rack. Great job!
I try not to leave negative comments but this scares the hell out of me. Now I'm imagining all you DIYers driving down the highway with solar panels flying off your roofs. Eee gads.
I understand your concern and the safety of other drivers is my main priority. You may not believe it, but these panels are impossible to take off. Each month I try to lift them off physically to test the strength. They don't budge a single inch. They've survived 15,000 miles in extreme heat, wind, and cold. If I ever try pulling it and feel they've lost any strength I will reapply immediately. They aren't going anywhere.
As a motorcycle rider and builder, this makes me cringe! I'm not trying to be negative here. Everyone has a different knowledge level when it comes to building/DIY. I'm just not a fan of anything being attached to a moving vehicle without proper hardware.
I understand your concern but these things are stuck there. The adhesive I used was incredibly strong and I can't even rip them off if I tried. I check them monthly and they haven't lost strength. They survived 10,000+ miles, extreme heat, and cold. So far they haven't budged, but I'm always checking to be sure. I'm confident these will never fall off.
You should know then that this is the most common way to attach solar panels is using adhesive who wants to drill holes in their roof
After a few years, the caulk dries and won't hold your panels well enough or not at all. The panel will fly away while driving and kill someone.
How do you know it will kill someone? To me that's seems pretty unlikely even if it flies off and hits a car, it would still have to go through the windshield and still have enough force to kill. I don't think so
@@gort3969 ok you risk that happening you fool, what an ignorant comment, if it risks someone else life or property dont do it, how old are you? 4?
Jeez talk about merchant of doom😂
@@jacks2222 🤣🤣🤣
Nuts, bolts and screws for me.
Making your roof leak lol
Sounds inherently dangerous to me solely relying on glue for securing a panel exposed to extremes of weather and wind velocity. Will come flying off the roof one day because it is not physically anchored. Sure fire way to get caught up in a lawsuit.
Completely understandable. I check the strength of the panels monthly though. They haven't lost an ounce of strength in over 20,000 miles across the US. So far so good.
What about spray adhesive?
I wonder how strong that would be on it's own. I just checked the strength after 1 year of extreme temperatures and miles and the panels still won't budge an inch. I can't speak for everything, but I like what I was able to do with the adhesive I chose.
I could not understand your statement or your speech was not clear at the beginning
Why doesn't anyone want to screw these 'deadly weapons' down?
Not only should they be screwed or bolted down, they should also be tethered with a safety wire. People are having accidents and dying by being hit with solar panels or trying to avoid flying panels.
I should have just mounted them into the van but I didn't think far enough in advance. I installed the roof on the inside of my van and it would have been a nightmare to take off the roof and then instal the brackets. Thankfully this adhesive is incredibly strong and isn't budging.
Boy what a craftsman🤣...If you were to do it right you would at least clean off the mounting surface on the roof with acetone or alcohol.. they might last a year or two but they will fail...sell it before they do!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just an update, its been 3 years and still haven't lost an ounce of strength.
A perfect example of ‘A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.’ Not kidding, your installation is what my mother-in-law would suggest.
Hey, several times you said ‘That’s how you’re supposed to do it.’ You do seem to be aware of parts of the procedure so you can’t blame ignorance. Sad.
While I agree there are proper ways to install these panels, I stand by the fact that these panels are never coming off. It's construction level adhesive and every month I check the strength of them. I literally could not rip them off if I tried at the moment. They have survived 2 years, 30,000 miles, extreme wind, heat (Arizona in the summer time), and cold (Colorado in the winter). So I know this is an unorthodox way to install these panels, and I know it appears unsafe. I assure you these things are not going to budge ever and at the first glance of them losing any strength, I will reinforce them, or find a way to remove them.
UA-cam is a great place for How Not To videos…. Please don’t do it this way. Safe travels to the OP
🤞🏽🤞🏽
You may be right, but in the description I say there is a better way to do this. If it makes you feel better the van has survived 30,000+ miles through extreme wind, heat, and cold. Each month i test the strength and it hasn't lost an ounce of strength. I still couldn't pull it off if I tried.
iliKEmyDaD
3:00 the only issue?
Is killing somebody
This is stupid!
Would you suspend yourself over the Grand Canyon without a parachute secured with that ‘caulking?’
9:10 “…make good choices…”
Please start doing that.
I understand your concern. So to be safe I check the strength of the panels monthly. I could try my hardest and still not pry them off. So with over 20,000 miles, over 100 degree days, 15 degree days, and intense wind the panels haven't lost an ounce of strength. The first sign they do, I will reapply.
All I can say is NO. hope you have amazing insurance.
I understand your concern and the safety of other drivers is my main priority. You may not believe it, but these panels are impossible to take off. Each month I try to lift them off physically to test the strength. They don't budge a single inch. They've survived 15,000 miles in extreme heat, wind, and cold. If I ever try pulling it and feel they've lost any strength I will reapply immediately. They aren't going anywhere.
This is the worst solar panel mount and the worst possible installation method.
It's held up 30,000+ miles and 3 years of driving across the country. So it worked well.
Horrible idea.
Hope the paint is strong
I ended up driving around the country for a year. Over 20,000 miles of extreme heat, cold, and wind. It managed to survive just fine. I check the strength of the panels monthly to be safe. So far they haven't lost an ounce of strength.
No....
This is how it comes off and I run it ove on my motorcycle and die. Not the first time shits come off on me or anyone else...
Crikey! How many times have you died? This is terrible news! 🤣