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Old 07-07-2015, 08:16 AM   #201
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Originally Posted by OneOleMan View Post
Checking my solar panel this morning and am now wondering if I actually need the retro-fit Reace is sending out. Unlike the larger Escapes, and with the reinforced roof for the A/C, there is very little room for air to get under the panel on my 17B. I'm going to ETI next month to pick up a mattress and was going to have them do the retro-fit but now I'm thinking of not having it done. Am I being foolish?
Yes! Have the kit installed. Peace of mind towing.

ken
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Old 07-07-2015, 08:56 AM   #202
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Now what happens when the deflector blows off??
That risk was part of my consideration when choosing to use segments for the deflector - if one section decides to take flight, that's not a huge chunk of stuff to hit a following vehicle.
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Old 07-07-2015, 03:31 PM   #203
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I take it you mean the extra layer of fiberglass under the A/C. Yes, ours had that. I just checked our old photos. Can't post them though.

For a few years, they did not have units A/C ready. Then they started making them all A/C ready, so I understand.
Hi Cathy just spoke to Tammy and starting in 2012 my mold for the roof for the 19 is reenforced inside to accept the Ac . They haven't as yet changed the mold on the 17 . It is very costly . So we can breath a sigh of relief now everything is good . Pat
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Old 07-07-2015, 05:17 PM   #204
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Hi Cathy just spoke to Tammy and starting in 2012 my mold for the roof for the 19 is reenforced inside to accept the Ac . They haven't as yet changed the mold on the 17 . It is very costly . So we can breath a sigh of relief now everything is good . Pat
Pat, I figured they were doing something like that but I did not know exactly what. Just thought yours was likely different. I hardly thought that they would have put an A/C up there if you did not have reinforcement!

I wonder what the problem is with the 17'.
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Old 07-07-2015, 05:28 PM   #205
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I think there is some confusion here- our 2010 17B had a different roofline than earlier ones and was told a rooftop AC could be mounted there.
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Old 07-07-2015, 05:29 PM   #206
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................

I wonder what the problem is with the 17'.
I'm betting that they just don't sell nearly enough of the 17's (especially relative to the 19's) to make it cost-effective for the new mold.
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Old 07-07-2015, 05:45 PM   #207
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I'm betting that they just don't sell nearly enough of the 17's (especially relative to the 19's) to make it cost-effective for the new mold.
That is possible. I wonder what numbers of 17's they are selling compared to the others. It could also be the percentage of 17's ordered with A/C. I think 17's are still very popular but no telling compared to the others.
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Old 07-07-2015, 09:28 PM   #208
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I'm betting that they just don't sell nearly enough of the 17's (especially relative to the 19's) to make it cost-effective for the new mold.
That could be. I like to check their production schedule and they are now a year out on their 19's. Business is good. Loren
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Old 07-07-2015, 10:17 PM   #209
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I'm betting that they just don't sell nearly enough of the 17's (especially relative to the 19's) to make it cost-effective for the new mold.
hi Don Tammy said they will someday change the mold just not right now . Actually looks nice and strong . Pat
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Old 07-08-2015, 09:54 AM   #210
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The wind deflectors may be helpful, but keep in mind that it 'seems' like our panel was blown off by crosswinds....not headwinds....
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Old 07-22-2015, 11:31 PM   #211
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Solar Panel Reinforcement Kit

Escape's solar panel reinforcement kit came in the mail today. Four aluminum pre-drilled angle brackets, bolts for the roof, self-tapping screws for the panel, a half-tube of ProFlexRV sealant and an instruction sheet with photos. It looks like a simple and easy fix.

-Dave
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Old 07-23-2015, 12:24 AM   #212
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Escape's solar panel reinforcement kit came in the mail today. Four aluminum pre-drilled angle brackets, bolts for the roof, self-tapping screws for the panel, a half-tube of ProFlexRV sealant and an instruction sheet with photos. It looks like a simple and easy fix.

-Dave
I know it'll be an easy fix for me - in 2 weeks I'm headin' to Chilliwack to pick up a mattress and to have ETI do it.
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Old 07-23-2015, 08:21 AM   #213
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Mine arrived a few days ago. It was an easy 10 minute install.

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Old 07-23-2015, 09:07 AM   #214
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We received our replacement solar panel and the bolt kit last week, however Reace then emailed and said he was sending different bolts pieces because ours is a Classic 5.0 and the bolt placement needs to be different.


We sanded down some of the leftover epoxy from the original panels- could only get the rough edges off, there was too much to sand off without creating a much larger area of damage to the gelcoat and possibly the fiberglass underneath. We repaired the exposed fiberglass areas with fiberglass resin to be sure there are no leak issues.
Will update once we get the rest of the bolt kit and get it re-installed.
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Old 07-23-2015, 09:38 AM   #215
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Don't know if you've seen this but the writer does a good job explaining how to repair FG.

You Can Repair Fiberglass - Fiberglass RV
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Old 07-23-2015, 09:44 AM   #216
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Thanks Bob! We will keep that for future reference! Upon quick review it looks like we did pretty much what was recommended in the thread.
But we'll be better educated if there is a next time!!
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Old 07-23-2015, 12:03 PM   #217
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Don't know if you've seen this but the writer does a good job explaining how to repair FG.

You Can Repair Fiberglass - Fiberglass RV
Hi Bob . He also explains no epoxy . It will only stick well to itself . Kind of know what happened here epoxy pulled off the gel gloss . I was also told by other trailer manufacturer no epoxy . Also a solar installer company . Panels need to be bolted to trailer and then sealed . Pat
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Old 07-23-2015, 01:55 PM   #218
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Hi Bob . He also explains no epoxy . It will only stick well to itself . Pat
Ah, I think you mis-read his quote He is correct, you don't need epoxy to do any repairs on your trailer. Staying with polyester resin is just fine. But, you can use epoxy to bond to f.g. It works well, however, you can't then use polyester resin over it, it doesn't bond and is low strength.

Epoxy bonds to both gel coat and polyester resin just fine. But preparation is key. The glossy gel coat will affect the bond unless it is prepped properly.

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Old 07-23-2015, 06:47 PM   #219
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Ah, I think you mis-read his quote He is correct, you don't need epoxy to do any repairs on your trailer. Staying with polyester resin is just fine. But, you can use epoxy to bond to f.g. It works well, however, you can't then use polyester resin over it, it doesn't bond and is low strength.

Epoxy bonds to both gel coat and polyester resin just fine. But preparation is key. The glossy gel coat will affect the bond unless it is prepped properly.

Ron
I know Ron I am not very technical in how I speak . But I was told no way messing with the epoxy to hold the panel down . There are 4 feet installed bolted through with a mental backing plate . The plates on top 3m 4000 marine grade by trailer manufacturer or Dicor is used by solar installer to seal brackets from any water intrusion that may happen . Was told there could be a ? Of the gel gloss bonding to fiberglass . They would not take that chance .also a lot of proper prep needs to be done , another ? .Epoxy can't be old or not mixed right ,etc. By bolting through you eliminate all these potential problems . There was a reason for failure . I looked into this because Thought I was going to get it done . I have the pre solar install but I will watch and wait for awhile . Maybe never . Will see . Pat
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Old 07-23-2015, 09:28 PM   #220
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I know Ron I am not very technical in how I speak . But I was told no way messing with the epoxy to hold the panel down . There are 4 feet installed bolted through with a mental backing plate . The plates on top 3m 4000 marine grade by trailer manufacturer or Dicor is used by solar installer to seal brackets from any water intrusion that may happen . Was told there could be a ? Of the gel gloss bonding to fiberglass . They would not take that chance .also a lot of proper prep needs to be done , another ? .Epoxy can't be old or not mixed right ,etc. By bolting through you eliminate all these potential problems . There was a reason for failure . I looked into this because Thought I was going to get it done . I have the pre solar install but I will watch and wait for awhile . Maybe never . Will see . Pat
Absolutely correct. Bottom line, don't mess with epoxy on anything important unless you have the experience to do so. I've epoxy coated a 5,000 lb. keel and run the flange onto the f.g. Very difficult, high stress, salt water environment without any problems but again, preparation and experience.

Quite frankly, the first time I heard that ETI was using VHB tape to put panels on the roof I was aghast Epoxy can work but again there are several things that have to be done correctly. Personally, the only way I'd put solar panels on my roof would be to bolt them on.

Since I don't like bolts through the roof that's why my panel is mounted over the tongue box.

Ron
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