|
|
06-25-2015, 12:10 PM
|
#161
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N/A, Indiana
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 976
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FMLNM
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.
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot. They only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlin
|
|
|
06-25-2015, 02:20 PM
|
#162
|
Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
|
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 Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
|
|
|
06-25-2015, 04:19 PM
|
#163
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
|
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".
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
|
|
|
06-25-2015, 05:03 PM
|
#164
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: none
Posts: 737
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jubal
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.
__________________
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
|
|
|
06-25-2015, 08:56 PM
|
#165
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
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
|
|
|
06-25-2015, 09:26 PM
|
#166
|
Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patandlinda
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.
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
|
|
|
06-26-2015, 08:12 AM
|
#167
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N/A, Indiana
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 976
|
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
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot. They only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlin
|
|
|
06-26-2015, 12:13 PM
|
#168
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19' and 2016 GMC Yukon SLT SUV.
Posts: 499
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
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.
Tonny
|
|
|
06-26-2015, 02:21 PM
|
#169
|
Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonny LR
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.
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
|
|
|
07-04-2015, 12:02 PM
|
#170
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Southern Appalachians, Georgia
Trailer: 2015 19' Escape "On the Lam"
Posts: 178
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
On the Oregon coast this weekend, will post a parts pic on Monday nite.
|
Looking forward to seeing this, Charlie. Thanks~
Gae
|
|
|
07-04-2015, 04:19 PM
|
#171
|
Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
|
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.
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
|
|
|
07-04-2015, 04:32 PM
|
#172
|
Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
|
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.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
|
|
|
07-04-2015, 05:42 PM
|
#173
|
Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
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!
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
|
|
|
07-05-2015, 01:28 PM
|
#174
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Marana, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 Airstream Flying Cloud (Escape 19 & 5.0 previously)
Posts: 1,078
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
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.
|
|
|
07-05-2015, 02:15 PM
|
#175
|
Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zardoz
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.
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 12:25 AM
|
#176
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Southern Appalachians, Georgia
Trailer: 2015 19' Escape "On the Lam"
Posts: 178
|
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
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 12:30 AM
|
#177
|
Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldclimber
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...
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 08:30 AM
|
#178
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
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.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 08:51 AM
|
#179
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
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
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 09:12 AM
|
#180
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
|
Now what happens when the deflector blows off??
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|