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Old 06-25-2015, 12:10 PM   #161
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Thanks Reace! We'll look forward to trying out the new mountung system. Appreciate that this was something you felt you had to work on and address. We're glad we have an Escape..
Please share you experience of remounting the solar panel. Including the gel coat repair and the installation of the panel mounting system.
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Old 06-25-2015, 02:20 PM   #162
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Anyone know if there is a rear crossbar included in the kit? Looks like the one in the front serves as an air dam to keep wind from getting under the solar panel. Mounted a bit forward as air needs to circulate under the panel to cool the cells. I'm truly tempted to form an "L" shaped air/deflector wing out of ABS plastic (but at 120 degree angle instead of the 90) and VHB tape it in roughly the same place before I drill holes in the roof.

Basically like the big ones you see now and then on top of semi trucks to deflect air up and over the trailer.
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Old 06-25-2015, 04:19 PM   #163
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That sounds like a good idea Charlie. If your mounts are solid there may be no need to do anything else. I checked mine and they're like a rock. I note with interest that the ones that failed are 2012-2013, not 2015. That could be a case of deterioration with age, but it could also be a bad formulation or application of epoxy during that time frame. I'm going to "wait and see".
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Old 06-25-2015, 05:03 PM   #164
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Please share you experience of remounting the solar panel. Including the gel coat repair and the installation of the panel mounting system.

Will do - but it might take a while...given a couple of trips already scheduled and the need to find a gelcoat/fiberglass person to do the repair AND figure out if we need to try and remove the epoxy that is still up there. We'll know better once we receive the kit, etc.
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Old 06-25-2015, 08:56 PM   #165
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Anyone know if there is a rear crossbar included in the kit? Looks like the one in the front serves as an air dam to keep wind from getting under the solar panel. Mounted a bit forward as air needs to circulate under the panel to cool the cells. I'm truly tempted to form an "L" shaped air/deflector wing out of ABS plastic (but at 120 degree angle instead of the 90) and VHB tape it in roughly the same place before I drill holes in the roof.

Basically like the big ones you see now and then on top of semi trucks to deflect air up and over the trailer.
Charlie check Fiberglass Forum A fellow installed a 2 panel system and made a air dam in front to deflect air over panels looked good to me . It was on a older Trillum he was restoring .Pat
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Old 06-25-2015, 09:26 PM   #166
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Charlie check Fiberglass Forum A fellow installed a 2 panel system and made a air dam in front to deflect air over panels looked good to me . It was on a older Trillum he was restoring .Pat
That was pretty much my thinking; possibly a bunch of smaller segments (3-4 inches long) with a small gap in between to do a "best fit" to the curved surface instead of a straight item like the aluminum is. Another advantage is that if one or two flew off on the road, it would be less risk to following traffic and easy for me to check on. I'll make one and post a pic.
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Old 06-26-2015, 08:12 AM   #167
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I have received a recent e-mail from ETI concerning the solar panels. Tammy admonished me for raising the panels 3" but failed to acknowledge the poor installation and smeared epoxy on one of the factory installed panels. From the information provided I believe that the add on brackets will be attached directly to the frame of the solar panel. Brackets that are normally used for installation with backing.
I am considering running flat stock thru the square tubing and securing the ends with jack nuts which have more retention surface area than the drive rivets.
http://rivetsonline.com/rivet-nuts-a...jack-nuts.html
http://www.theinsertcompany.com/steel_screw_anchors.php
Available from several sources and in different quantities. McMaster-Carr offers Screwdriver-Installed Rivet Nut, Self-Seal Coated Steel, 1/4"-20 Thread, 1/64"-3/16" Thick
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Old 06-26-2015, 12:13 PM   #168
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That was pretty much my thinking; possibly a bunch of smaller segments (3-4 inches long) with a small gap in between to do a "best fit" to the curved surface instead of a straight item like the aluminum is. Another advantage is that if one or two flew off on the road, it would be less risk to following traffic and easy for me to check on. I'll make one and post a pic.
Thanks Bob, This is a practical approch and valueable parts info.
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Old 06-26-2015, 02:21 PM   #169
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Thanks Bob, This is a practical approch and valueable parts info.
Tonny
On the Oregon coast this weekend, will post a parts pic on Monday nite.
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Old 07-04-2015, 12:02 PM   #170
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On the Oregon coast this weekend, will post a parts pic on Monday nite.
Looking forward to seeing this, Charlie. Thanks~
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Old 07-04-2015, 04:19 PM   #171
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Here's the concept part (70 degree bend, may go with 45 instead) sitting in front of my solar panel. Made of 1/8th inch ABS; if the base of each part (probably 4-6 inches long) has room for 2 strips of 1 inch wide 3M RP45 VHB tape, at 5 inches long that would have a peel strength rating of 5x20 pounds (3M rated) of 100 pounds for each strip. Empirically derived by sticking my hand out the truck window at 70 mph, to keep my hand at right angles to the truck doesn't take 100 pounds of force.

I'm going to install a line of these the height of panel across the roof of my 21 a few inches in front of the panel, then head to Bandon, Oregon in a couple of weeks, which is a 5 hour mostly freeway drive - that's way more than the 72 hours 3M says I need for a full cure.

Not going to install where the roofline drops way down.
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Old 07-04-2015, 04:32 PM   #172
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Charlie, that looks like it may be the ticket just be certain to leave enough space so you can get your hand or cloths or implements in the area to clean. Nothing worse than an area so tight, the grunge builds up.
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Old 07-04-2015, 05:42 PM   #173
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Charlie, that looks like it may be the ticket just be certain to leave enough space so you can get your hand or cloths or implements in the area to clean. Nothing worse than an area so tight, the grunge builds up.
Yup, thunk of that!
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Old 07-05-2015, 01:28 PM   #174
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Yup, thunk of that!
I appreciate your adherence to a pure scientific method used to base your conclusions upon. We need more of that here on this Forum.
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Old 07-05-2015, 02:15 PM   #175
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I appreciate your adherence to a pure scientific method used to base your conclusions upon. We need more of that here on this Forum.
LOL, just a retired engineer - so here's the installation pics; the segments are 5 1/2 inches long and you can definitely see how the piecewise fit around the curve in the roof. I'll see how it holds up on the way to Bandon for the Oregon NOG in a couple of weeks.
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Old 07-06-2015, 12:25 AM   #176
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Very promising, Charlie. We'd rather go this route and keep checking the integrity of the panels then to be drilling holes just yet. Good luck with the maiden-run and let us know what you think. Thanks again for sharing this~
Peace~Gae
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Old 07-06-2015, 12:30 AM   #177
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Very promising, Charlie. We'd rather go this route and keep checking the integrity of the panels then to be drilling holes just yet. Good luck with the maiden-run and let us know what you think. Thanks again for sharing this~
Peace~Gae
I'm of the same mind - I DO NOT want more holes in the roof! Maybe I can sell Reace on the concept...
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Old 07-06-2015, 08:30 AM   #178
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I'm of the same mind - I DO NOT want more holes in the roof! Maybe I can sell Reace on the concept...
Not exactly a new concept though. I saw a Boler here in Calgary that had a hood deflector mounted in front of his side-by-side panels. It looked a bit odd, but he was proud of it, and I imagine it worked fine.
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Old 07-06-2015, 08:51 AM   #179
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I'm of the same mind - I DO NOT want more holes in the roof! Maybe I can sell Reace on the concept...
Hi: tractors1... I'm with you... No more holes!!!
The air deflector will alter the air flow and hopefully not affect the cooling of the panel. Possibly affect mpg's but it may also keep the panel on the roof.
We want proof positive, so get out there and tow!!! Alf
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Old 07-06-2015, 09:12 AM   #180
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Now what happens when the deflector blows off??
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