Solar Panel Mounting: Butyl Putty Tape or Sikaflex?

[lfhoward]

Hello teardroppers,

I will be installing the solar panel on the top of my TTT this afternoon if all goes according to plan. My trailer has a flat aluminum-skinned roof with 1/4 plywood underneath plus wooden beams where the bolts attach. My question is about how best to seal it so the rain doesn't leak in.

From the rest of my project, I have Butyl putty tape on hand from sealing the edge moldings, windows, and fantastic fan. I also have Sikaflex 221 which is a waterproof caulk similar to Dicor. So how would you do it? Ideas welcome.

Solar panel feet: Butyl Tape or Sikaflex? Or something else?


Wiring pass thru: Butyl Tape or Sikaflex? Or something else?


And underneath.

[John61CT]

Butyl tape for the "inside line" especially any screw holes, trim any excess after screwing down flush. Then caulk a bead, 1/4-3/8", all around that flush fixture.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[John61CT]

For passing through body panel, firewall etc, google terms like

water-tight split Cable Glands
Cable Bushings
Cord Grip Connectors
Strain Relief

Maybe overkill but. . .

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[H.A.]

I t

[lfhoward]

Thanks H.A. And John. I used the butyl tape to install the wiring pass thru and it seems plenty watertight. I went with two layers of butyl so it would settle inside the grooves on the underside of the plastic housing. Seems fine.

Tomorrow or later this week I'll be installing the solar panel. I'll let you know how it goes.

[John61CT]

Never mind water tight, be 100% sure no movement, no chafing on the metal is possible.

Keep checking over the years. Or do it right to start.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[Syberia]

I welded up a custom mount for mine so only a couple screws are going through the roof and those were sealed with roofing sealant.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[noseoil]

I set the feet on the roof (aluminum to aluminum) & bedded the screws in caulk. A bead of caulk under the bracket with screws set well will keep things in place for good. No problems this way. Just make sure you hit the "structure" with the screws & snug them up well.

[lfhoward]

Thanks to everyone who responded.

I have another question. I mistakenly put the 35 Amp kill switch in the - line from the solar panel instead of the + cable. How much of an issue is this? It still interrupts the circuit. I know the switch is supposed to go in the +, and I may swap it over there and rejoin the - cable together later when I get the time. But I'm wondering if it's fine as is and if it's worth the trouble to fix.

[John61CT]

Doesn't matter unless instructions from the vendor say otherwise

[lfhoward]

Doesn't matter unless instructions from the vendor say otherwise

All the installations I've seen online don't have a switch, and neither does the diagram in the owners manual. Just the controller, two cables, and the panel. I used an inline fuse and a kill switch because I'm cautious. I've spent too much time and money on this trailer to have it burn to the ground. My reason for thinking the switch should be on the + wire is because that's been my practice throughout the build with the regular 12 V lights and outlets.

[John61CT]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/sho ... p?t=181546

[lfhoward]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181546

Good thread but the answer seems to be it doesn't much matter whether the + or - is interrupted to break the circuit. At least it doesn't on my rig, since it is a floating system, not a negative ground. Thanks for the link.

It sort of reminded me of those oil threads about how often to change oil and what's the best, synthetic or dino. People have lots of opinions but nobody's engine actually dies as long as there is some kind of oil in it.

[John61CT]

Good thread but the answer seems to be it doesn't much matter whether the + or - is interrupted to break the circuit.

What I said. Nice to get some collateral education though innit?

[lfhoward]

Good thread but the answer seems to be it doesn't much matter whether the + or - is interrupted to break the circuit.

What I said. Nice to get some collateral education though innit?

Absolutely. I'm always up for learning something new.