Our solar panel blew off!!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

The Oliver Forum is owned by the manufacturer. Maybe that's the difference?

Perhaps. It could also explain why, when I asked a couple of questions which apparently made the manufacturer uncomfortable (they had no answers), my posts were deleted. This was the original Oliver forum; I believe that it has been replaced since.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

+2 and not apologizing for it.

Soooooo, Donna.
When you're cheerleading you don't wear your flower hat?

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Soooooo, Donna.
When you're cheerleading you don't wear your flower hat?

One of these days I'm going to buy one of those goofy hats. Maybe at Halloween time

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

One of these days I'm going to buy one of those goofy hats. Maybe at Halloween time

Hi: Donna D... Fine...just don't leave the price tag dangling. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[jhardie]

I have a 2014 5.0TA that I had AM Solar in Oregon install 4 100w panels in Oct/2014....They attached the panels (without any drilling into the fiberglass) with double sided 3M tape with a layer of self-leveling Dicor to prevent moisture getting to the tape and covering the brackets. I have had no issues at all with the panels or the mounts.
You can read about their process at amsolar.com on the home page go to RV Solar Education---and under topics go to Mounts.

[Rossue]

Thanks for that; how many miles on your trailer?

[Klem]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

It's just a personal opinion, but using the Escape forum to promote another brand and discourage the purchase of an Escape is just plain wrong.

Awaiting the claims that I'm an Escape cheerleader in five...four...three...two...one...

Escape does not own this forum. And we have freedom of speech.

This is obviously the Escape Trailer Sales Floor. When it should be a place we can all share opinions.

PS - the post was simply a comparison based on his experience.

[jhardie]

Hi...I have 7000 on it now and all's well!

[Rossue]

Good to hear, as some are "weekenders" with a lot less. May give them a call for a quote. Klem's fix sounds great but I'm asking myself why I should do this work while under warranty.

[padlin]

Jack, any chance of a couple pictures? would appreciate seeing where they fit the panels on the roof.

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by jhardie

Hi...I have 7000 on it now and all's well!

As the person who started this thread, I think it would be well to bring back some perspective. When our panel blew off we were in a SEVERE windstorm in open country. The panels had been on for 2 years and over 4000 miles of towing. They were installed by ETI as an add on after we bought the 2008 trailer used (in 2013).
The panel failure occurred during an extreme condition with just the right wind speed and direction, etc. For most folks (obviously) there have been no problems over several years and thousands of miles of towing. Our trailer is stored outside without cover in sunny NM...(maybe that had played some part in the failure?)
That said, ETI quickly changed their installation/build procedure to prevent a recurrence and the solution they sent to the existing owners can reduce the possibility of a failure...there are probably a number of additional ways to reduce the possibility of the problem occurring. Retrofitting will always be a bit 'clumsy' when compared with the new and improved original install process.

Any discussion of alternate ways to retrofit additional security to the panels is a positive contribution as it is likely that there are several good options out there. But keep in mind that, while this problem is a serious one if it occurs, it is also a very uncommon one.

[Patandlinda]

Where is the rest of thread . Something is missing ? Pat

[jhardie]

Bob...Here is a photo of the placement of the solar panels by AM Solar....hope this helps... these panels can be tilted about 45deg if I needed too.

[cpaharley2008]

Boy, some people will go to extreme to keep from having to wash and wax their roofs.......

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by jhardie

Bob...Here is a photo of the placement of the solar panels by AM Solar....hope this helps... these panels can be tilted about 45deg if I needed too.

Attachment 15396

nice to have all that free roof area for panels.. a closeup picture of the solar panel cable entry method into the roof near what appears to be the fridge roof vent would be very helpful and appreciated.

[cpaharley2008]

Actually if you click on the picture it will let you zoom in 2 more times for a close up.

[Klem]

A picture of my mount as posted previously.

New info: Analyzing the roof thickness of +/- .125 inch I decided to spread the load. I found the thickness as thin as .100 (1/10) of an inch in other areas of the 2014 19'.
I showed it to Reace in August of 2015 when our refrigerator was replaced.

Any bolts through the roof should have adequate load spread (large washers with rubber washers?) on the inside. A nut with cap may pull through the shell quite easily?

I'm not sure of the roof thickness or strength so I chose to spread the load with no holes.

[craiginpetaluma]

I also used AM solar to mount 2 160 watt panels on my 21' last October. They use 3 m VHB tape. Proper technique is very important……. Clean surface, above 50F, pressure applied until cured, seal out all water, always. AM Solar only installs solar on RV'S, all types of RV'S. They claim in their 25 years to never have had a " panel blow off " . Escape told me they had 5 solar mount failures, some were with epoxy, some with 3m VHB tape.

I'll Keeping an eye on the mounts looking for early signs of failure.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by jhardie

Bob...Here is a photo of the placement of the solar panels by AM Solar....hope this helps... these panels can be tilted about 45deg if I needed too.

Attachment 15396

Another neat and clean install . Pat

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Klem

A picture of my mount as posted previously.

New info: Analyzing the roof thickness of +/- .125 inch I decided to spread the load. I found the thickness as thin as .100 (1/10) of an inch in other areas of the 2014 19'.
I showed it to Reace in August of 2015 when our refrigerator was replaced.

Any bolts through the roof should have adequate load spread (large washers with rubber washers?) on the inside. A nut with cap may pull through the shell quite easily?

I'm not sure of the roof thickness or strength so I chose to spread the load with no holes.

Very nice install without making holes ! Pat