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08-05-2015, 11:02 AM
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#301
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: none
Posts: 737
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Here is the kit we got for the 95 watt panel. Note that Reace sent 8 of the small bolts and caps and then realized that one side of our panel had to bolt in over the bathroom. So he sent the two bolts with a rubber sheath to install (from the roof down) into the space between the roof and the bathroom ceiling. The rubber is supposed to scrunch up as the bolt is tightened...kind of like a alternate version of a molly bolt for drywall.
We had the work done yesterday and are picking up the trailer this afternoon...will post pictures.
We already know there was a problem. The bolts for the non-bathroom side (curbside) were not long enough so the shop used longer bolts of their own and put them in from the roof down (wrong) That meant the snap caps could not be used. They tried to glue the caps on but the bolts were too long so they drilled out holes in the center of the caps...looked really ugly in the trailer. We asked them to redo it with their bolts but inserting them UP through the ceiling, not DOWN from the bracket and put the snap caps receiver and caps on (glad we had the extras) Not sure how it will turn out. We might have made it worse. It did tear the headliner some. Lots of angst.
__________________
Fran & Dave Albuquerque, NM
2013 to 2022 had a 2008 Escape 5.0 Classic
2011 Frontier Crew Cab Short Bed Pro4x
Sold both 7/22
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08-05-2015, 11:40 AM
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#302
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N/A, Indiana
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 976
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FMLNM
Here is the kit we got for the 95 watt panel. Note that Reace sent 8 of the small bolts and caps and then realized that one side of our panel had to bolt in over the bathroom. So he sent the two bolts with a rubber sheath to install (from the roof down) into the space between the roof and the bathroom ceiling. The rubber is supposed to scrunch up as the bolt is tightened...kind of like a alternate version of a molly bolt for drywall.
We had the work done yesterday and are picking up the trailer this afternoon...will post pictures.
We already know there was a problem. The bolts for the non-bathroom side (curbside) were not long enough so the shop used longer bolts of their own and put them in from the roof down (wrong) That meant the snap caps could not be used. They tried to glue the caps on but the bolts were too long so they drilled out holes in the center of the caps...looked really ugly in the trailer. We asked them to redo it with their bolts but inserting them UP through the ceiling, not DOWN from the bracket and put the snap caps receiver and caps on (glad we had the extras) Not sure how it will turn out. We might have made it worse. It did tear the headliner some. Lots of angst.
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The instructions we received with the mounting kit were very poor. The promised instructions and or video from ETI was never posted . Maybe the screws that were provided were intended to be installed from the inside of the trailer and the nuts outside on the brackets ? From the instructions and hardware provided I surmised that 1 self taping bolt thru the panel and 2 screws thru the roof per bracket for the 19. Four brackets and 8 holes per panel !
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot. They only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlin
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08-05-2015, 11:46 AM
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#303
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: none
Posts: 737
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jubal
The instructions we received with the mounting kit were very poor. The promised instructions and or video was never posted . Maybe the screws that were provided were intended to be installed from the inside of the trailer and the nuts outside on the brackets ?
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Absolutely, they were supposed to go from inside the trailer up through the roof and through the brackets. We thought we had made that clear to the shop guys. Not sure if they actually understood that but in any event they said the bolts were too short (didn't call us to check) and when they put THEIR bolts in they did it from the roof down....thus the issue with the caps. I provided my own detailed instructions but.....
__________________
Fran & Dave Albuquerque, NM
2013 to 2022 had a 2008 Escape 5.0 Classic
2011 Frontier Crew Cab Short Bed Pro4x
Sold both 7/22
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08-05-2015, 11:58 AM
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#304
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Port Angeles, Washington
Trailer: 2014 19'
Posts: 534
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IF, in the future you seeing the original panel mount lifting from the fiberglass will this new mount be adequate? Or what would you do then?
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08-05-2015, 12:10 PM
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#305
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: none
Posts: 737
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Klem
IF, in the future you seeing the original panel mount lifting from the fiberglass will this new mount be adequate? Or what would you do then?
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Ours was the panel that flew off and started this thread...so the original panel mount is somewhere in the plains of southern Colorado....
The natural next question would be, if this panel comes loose, then what? I don't have an answer for that. Reace said this is stronger than the railing system was...
__________________
Fran & Dave Albuquerque, NM
2013 to 2022 had a 2008 Escape 5.0 Classic
2011 Frontier Crew Cab Short Bed Pro4x
Sold both 7/22
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08-05-2015, 12:57 PM
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#306
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: petaluma, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21 2002 Tundra 4x4 V-8 tow package.
Posts: 163
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I've had a few phone conversations about mounting solar panels on Fiberglass trailers with the folks at AM solar in Oregon . They have been using 3M tape for sometime now to mount their panels. They claim to have no reported failures of any kind using the 3m tape. I Don't know the number of panels they have installed, but there first available reservation for an install from today is mid October, with two rigs being worked on at once.
Reese told me the curved roof of an Escape creates more air space under the panel than the flat roof of most RV's and a better system than 3m tape is needed.
They stress the importance of surface condition, prep and proper temputure and cure time for the tape, No freeway speeds for 3 days.
I know Escape used the tape at one time, but I don't know therethe results, probably not good because they don't use it anymore.
I wonder if other solar install company's have had sucsess with 3m tape or other bonding methods ?
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08-05-2015, 02:41 PM
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#307
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N/A, Indiana
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 976
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FMLNM
Absolutely, they were supposed to go from inside the trailer up through the roof and through the brackets. We thought we had made that clear to the shop guys. Not sure if they actually understood that but in any event they said the bolts were too short (didn't call us to check) and when they put THEIR bolts in they did it from the roof down....thus the issue with the caps. I provided my own detailed instructions but.....
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Would have been good to know the screw orientation and described in the vague instructions . Hopefully this information will help others with the installation.
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot. They only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlin
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08-05-2015, 03:37 PM
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#308
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N/A, Indiana
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 976
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[QUOTE=shrncnddck;102463]We installed the fix kit on our rear panel yesterday. It was relatively easy, although we now have a button-tufted ceiling over our dining area.
In our case, the epoxy stayed safely bonded to the fiberglass. It separated cleanly from the aluminum square tubing instead. The failure in our case seemed to be a warped panel. one corner naturally sat a half inch above the roof and required a good five pounds of pressure to push it down. We readjusted the support bolts before installing the fix kit.
Now we're waiting for the cable kit for the forward panel, which has
Pictures of the button tufted ceiling please !
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot. They only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlin
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08-05-2015, 03:49 PM
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#309
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Juneau, Alaska
Trailer: 2015 17A - Ready for more Maiden Voyages ....
Posts: 881
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FMLNM
Ours was the panel that flew off and started this thread...so the original panel mount is somewhere in the plains of southern Colorado....
The natural next question would be, if this panel comes loose, then what? I don't have an answer for that. Reace said this is stronger than the railing system was...
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Hello Fran and Dave .... I have been wondering about your panel that came off. Was it a retro fit or was it an original installation when your trailer was new? Thanks, Tom
__________________
Consciousness: That confusing time between naps
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08-05-2015, 04:37 PM
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#310
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: none
Posts: 737
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StarvingHyena
Hello Fran and Dave .... I have been wondering about your panel that came off. Was it a retro fit or was it an original installation when your trailer was new? Thanks, Tom
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It was a retrofit in the summer of 2013 when we purchased it from the original owner through ETI.
__________________
Fran & Dave Albuquerque, NM
2013 to 2022 had a 2008 Escape 5.0 Classic
2011 Frontier Crew Cab Short Bed Pro4x
Sold both 7/22
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08-05-2015, 04:52 PM
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#311
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: none
Posts: 737
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Panel replaced and bolted on
OK, so we picked up our trailer today after having the replacement solar panel that Reace sent installed on our 2008 5.0 Classic.
There was a glitch with the bolts...on the curbside, the shop put them in from the roof down instead of the inside ceiling up so of course the button caps could not be put on. I earlier reported that the bolts were too short and the shop used their own but that was erroneous info the shop manager gave me. The bolts Reace sent were fine...just installed backwards. We had them take the bolts out and reverse them so the caps could be used. But they had ruined several caps the first time around so we'll need to get more from Reace. On the driver's side, the panel gets bolted in over the bathroom, so Reace sent special bolts to go in from the roof into the empty space between the trailer roof and the bathroom ceiling. That was specific to the 5.0 Classic because of the location of the bathroom and the solar panel.
On one set of bolts inside on the curbside, the tightening of the bolts pulled the headliner away from the curve and made a small tear in the headliner. Not sure what to repair that with. The other set of bolts on the curbside seem ok...at least no damage.
The panel seems to be closer to the trailer roof than it was when it was mounted on the rails but I can't be sure.
So now we wait and see.
Photos will be in several posts....these are the panel overview from the roadside of the trailer with closeups on the brackets.
__________________
Fran & Dave Albuquerque, NM
2013 to 2022 had a 2008 Escape 5.0 Classic
2011 Frontier Crew Cab Short Bed Pro4x
Sold both 7/22
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08-05-2015, 04:55 PM
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#312
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: none
Posts: 737
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Panels replaced andbolted on
Photos of the curbside .... outside. And the replacement of the grommet which broke when the panel blew off.
__________________
Fran & Dave Albuquerque, NM
2013 to 2022 had a 2008 Escape 5.0 Classic
2011 Frontier Crew Cab Short Bed Pro4x
Sold both 7/22
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08-05-2015, 04:57 PM
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#313
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: none
Posts: 737
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Panel replaced and bolted on
Interior photos...self explanatory....
__________________
Fran & Dave Albuquerque, NM
2013 to 2022 had a 2008 Escape 5.0 Classic
2011 Frontier Crew Cab Short Bed Pro4x
Sold both 7/22
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08-05-2015, 05:25 PM
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#314
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: 2015 17B Sold 5/2016
Posts: 343
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"Escaping Reality" is at ETI right now for them to do the retro fit and I'm glad I didn't try it myself. I'm one who can measure twice and still get it wrong. She's having a couple other mods being done so this was a good time for them to do it.
__________________
Pat
Life is Good
When "Escaping Reality" Sold 5/2016
2012 4Runner
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08-05-2015, 05:48 PM
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#315
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Terrace, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 13 (Our Hobbit House)
Posts: 41
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Installation a Success
So I installed the brackets two weekends ago. Then went travelling.
This installation was a success. A phone call from Reese gave me all the information I needed.
My wife helped me with the insertion of the screws from the ceiling up and I installed the Goop, the Bracket and the lock nuts on the top of the trailer.
One modification I did make, was to replace the self Tapping screws that was sent to mount the bracket to the panel with stainless bolts and locknuts with a fender washer on the inside of the panel to distribute the pressure a little.
In my former years I was an aircraft mechanic, so this installation was a piece of cake.
I must say though, the first hole I drilled through the roof gave me some goose bumps....but after that everything went smoothly.
Took me about an hour, most of that time was measuring and double checking my measurements to make sure I wasn't going to screw things up.
I have an escape 13 so all the measurements was individual. Reece was very helpful and told me what to look out for, (corner supports) in the roof.
Anyway, thanks to ETI for their help and quick shipping as I was on a deadline to go travelling.
So Far, So Good, no problems and I'm feeling a lot more comfortable driving now, since reading about the initial post that started this discussion.
Greg.
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08-05-2015, 05:50 PM
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#316
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,728
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Quote:
Originally Posted by craiginpetaluma
I wonder if other solar install company's have had sucsess with 3m tape or other bonding methods ?
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From my point of view even a very high degree of success with only a very small chance of failure is unacceptable. The consequences of failure could be horrible. Can you imagine something that size and weight, with hard sharp square corners and edges, going back into someone's windshield at highway speeds. If my panel did that to someone I'd be sick about it.
So a few bolts through the roof seems like a small price to pay. If I add a second panel I'll certainly be through bolting it.
Ron
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08-05-2015, 05:59 PM
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#317
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N/A, Indiana
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 976
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Is the 5.0 Classic based on the 17' body ?
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot. They only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlin
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08-05-2015, 07:12 PM
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#318
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: none
Posts: 737
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jubal
Is the 5.0 Classic based on the 17' body ?
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I don't know...someone with better knowledge of Escape history and evolution will need to weigh in on that one.
__________________
Fran & Dave Albuquerque, NM
2013 to 2022 had a 2008 Escape 5.0 Classic
2011 Frontier Crew Cab Short Bed Pro4x
Sold both 7/22
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08-05-2015, 07:59 PM
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#319
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 17B Escape
Posts: 766
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I think so-the same narrow body....
__________________
Anna-Marie
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08-05-2015, 09:09 PM
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#320
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,634
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I really don't like the look of bolts installed through the headliner. And possible future leaks is another concern for me. I can't help but wonder if another "no new holes" solution may be to fasten the solar panel ( in my 19' ) at the same locations as the MaxFan in the front of the panel, and at the location of the A/C shroud at the rear of the panel. I think I may take a closer look on the roof of my Escape when I get a chance.
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad
"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
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