[Jessm]

Heya, just wondering if anyone has experience with the ABS no drill plastic solar mounts like this? https://waveinverter.co.nz/shop/solar/v ... it-7piece/

Reason being, my van (1999 Hiace Lwb hightop) roof has a slight curvature and I am wondering if they will still work? Van style in this link: https://www.google.com/search?q=GE-RZH1 ... 8jZZII923M

I am struggling with options as the inside was already complete pre purchase so I don't want to remove everything including the roof liner for screwing/bolting and the gutters are so low down and the roof so high I cannot find racks that will clear it.

Any advice is welcome

[scubadoo]

On our last hi-top extra LWB 1996 Hiace van I installed 2x 140W panels using 50x50x3mm aluminium extrusion and Sikaflex 11FC sealant/adhesive. No screws involved. The panels are still in operation with the current owner and remain firmly attached.

Click images to enlarge.

[Jessm]

Oh awesome never thought of that! Thanks for the advice and photos.

[Nut17]

I have just completed the solar installation on our new motorhome and fabricated all the mounting brackets from 75 x 50 x 3mm alloy angle extrusion and glued to the fibreglass roof using Bostic Simpson 70 - 03 Adhesive. - No screws through the roof skin. A light sanding where the adhesive contacts the roof and likewise to the alloy brackets. I used a couple of half tooth picks under each bracket to ensure a uniform 2mm layer of adhesive between the bracket and roof surface.

[Derb]

My panels were fitted using the same aluminium angle material which was pop-riveted to the panels. Whilst up a ladder on one of the very few times I cleaned the roof, I discovered a number of the stainless rivets had worked loose in the panels. Is worth checking them if this method has been used on your systems. Cheers.

[scubadoo]

I have a total of 36 5mm closed end alloy pop rivets supporting our 3 solar panels.
Last check and clean 2 days ago. All remain tight after 6 years and 50000km or so.

[Nut17]

I opted to fit "Rivnuts" to the panels so my brackets are bolted to the panels which will enable reasonably easy removal if necessary without disturbing the roof / bracket glued joint.

[Jessm]

Thanks for all your help everyone, I think I will use the method shown in the first post.

I have another quick question, sorry I am new to all this.

The current solar that I will be upgrading from 200w 18.5V solar blanket, that is designed to fold up and be portable, hence the shift to a fixed panel.

It is connected to a MPPT with the following specs:
Discharge current: 15A
System Voltage: 12/24VDC Auto
Charge Power: 200W/12v; 400w/24v

Does this mean that I can use a 24 volt panel? Are any of the above specs something I need to stay under, as in I cannot exceed 15A?

Cheers,
Jess