Daveh Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 I am planning on installing three large grid panels on a EPDM roof. I would like to have the panels up at the level of vents and skylights to avoid shadowing. I would appreciate suggestions on brand and number of brackets. Thanks Dave Dave and Lana Hasper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sushidog Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 You might consider a racking system to support the center of the large panels. If you tie it into the sides of the trailer, no roof holes are needed and you can raise it to the height you require. As an added benefit it will also keep the panels perfectly flat, not following the curve of the roof. You could even build it yourself, like this fellow did. http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/PV/TruckPV/TruckPV.htm When it comes time to service the roof the solar system will be easier to remove and you will save dozens of holes in the roof and a couple tubes of Dicor. Here's a unique side mount solar panel. I could envision a "solar awning" mounted to the side of an RV, shading the front door too. http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago108.html Just an unusual, yet innovative idea allowing you to angle your panels for maximum output without climbing on the roof. Chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 If you mean that you are considering mounting them up about 10" on stand-offs you will need to carefully consider how you do it. I suspect there will be a lot more wind turbulence if they're up that high. If I were going to do it that way I'd mount them on storage boxes. Mine are in series but it does NOT look like there is much of an issue with shading since that only occurs very early or very late in the day when the angle of incidence is quite acute anyway. My two Unisolar panels are mounted directly to the fiberglass rooftop (glued) and the two solid panels are on 1-1/2" standoff mounts. It's interesting that the solid panels shade the roof and the inside roof is cooler where they are but the glued-down panels greatly increase the inside ceiling temps where they are mounted. All-in-all, I prefer the shade effect. WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveh Posted April 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 The racking system is something to consider, might be more than I want to take on. I do really like the sidemount idea but that may be a phase two project. WDR, I was not clear. I only want the tops of the panels to be 2-3 inches off the roof. I was just looking for options currently available. Thank you both for taking the time to respond. Dave and Lana Hasper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBH Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 AM solar sells roof mounts for the 2-3" you're talking about. I actually made my own out of sheet aluminum patterned after the AM mounts. Pretty easy to do. Mount with stainless screws and lots of Dicor. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 If just going that high you can fabricate your own mounts from aluminum. Or rack them across discussed. Racking them is pretty straightforward. Build your own racks from 1.5x1.5" aluminum (or similar) - just make sure the edges of the aluminum do not shade the panel cells near the edge.... John Palmer also sells three heights of preformed mounts. Really, it is pretty easy to find mounts. I have several references on my website. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 If just going that high you can fabricate your own mounts from aluminum. Or rack them across discussed. Racking them is pretty straightforward. Build your own racks from 1.5x1.5" aluminum (or similar) - just make sure the edges of the aluminum do not shade the panel cells near the edge.... John Palmer also sells three heights of preformed mounts. Really, it is pretty easy to find mounts. I have several references on my website. Jack was it you that mounted your panels to Unistrut rails? I thought I read that somewhere, but could not find it on your website. If so how did it work out, I'm thinking about doing it on my install. "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 Jack was it you that mounted your panels to Unistrut rails? I thought I read that somewhere, but could not find it on your website. If so how did it work out, I'm thinking about doing it on my install. Not me..... The Unistrut rails tend to be pretty high priced last time I looked at them. If rail mounting I tend to use 1.5" aluminum angle with a center support. It is effective and lower priced than the commercial rail systems. The commercial systems are excellent and pretty much required in mounting to houses, trackers, piers, etc. But not necessary (IMO) for RV mounting. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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