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Old 11-27-2013, 10:12 AM   #1
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Remove Solar Panel

Want to remove the solar panel from our 19 to put it outside the palapa to get the solar working. Looking at the way it is mounted I do not see a way to remove it. Looks like it was bolted to the mounting then glued to the roof with the mounting bolts tucked away with no access to them.
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Old 11-27-2013, 02:11 PM   #2
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Pictures? It is usually possible to unbolt the panel from the mounts, leaving the mounts glued to the roof. But it sounds like you can't get at the bolts.
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Old 11-27-2013, 02:34 PM   #3
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Have read on this Forum that a "super strong" double sided tape is the only thing holding the panel onto the roof. No bolts, no holes, no leaks.
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Old 11-27-2013, 04:52 PM   #4
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You may have to cut a hole in the roof to allow sun to hit the solar…….if you can not raise the bridge, you lower the river!
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Old 11-27-2013, 05:05 PM   #5
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I *believe* they are currently using a marine epoxy to attach the panels. See post #3 in http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f3...tape-2010.html
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Old 11-27-2013, 05:06 PM   #6
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Sounding here like another good reason for not ordering stuff factory pre-installed on the roof.
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Old 11-27-2013, 05:26 PM   #7
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I ordered the solar option but kept the solar panel portable because of perceived
difficulty in removing it should the need ever arise. I had the regulator mounted under driver's side seat with an electrical hatch for wires to go out to panel. I had an extra set of 10g wire run from regulator to overhead cabinet for possible future roof mount (resale value).
I am toying with the idea of placing solar panel on rack over the pick- up bed cap to
allow use when travelling.
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Old 11-27-2013, 05:59 PM   #8
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Just read those posts on failed tape vs epoxy glue, etc ...am reminded of what my welder guy told me in his shop. I brought him a trailer hitch I cobbed together to fit the Tahoe. He refused to weld it, citing safety liability issues. I pointed out his welds would not be held responsible for the stress of towing. I had cut squares in the two parallel brackets bolted to the frame. The square-tube cross piece slid perpendicular through those openings, so the hitch was mechanically connected to the frame. The welding merely secured position. He did the job.

Moral of story: Mechanical connections trump adhesive ones long-term, every blinkin' time, no matter what the chemists tell you.
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Old 11-27-2013, 06:00 PM   #9
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This is what I have been thinking about too. I figure that with most of my camping be in Texas and other Southern states I would be camping under trees as much as possible so I might be better to keep the solar on the tow. The Xterra has that nice rack on it and I thought the hubby could build something that we can lock on it and attach the panel to that and maybe be able to also take it off the tow and use it as a regular portable solar panel. I'm just still so ignorant of how all this works and if a long cord to the batteries would be a problem. I know RV Sue has her solar permanently attached to her tow but I want ours to be removable and just put on during camping trips. I would welcome any feedback on this.
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Old 11-27-2013, 06:09 PM   #10
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I think it's all a big trade off - how/where do you camp, and what is ok/not to have to do:
-- Portable is good because you can move it wherever you need to, and bad because it can grow legs and walk off and you need to store/deploy it each time
-- Tow vehicle is good because you can maybe move it where you need it, and bad because if you drive off for any reason you lose your solar charger and if you forget and drive off you may get to fix it
-- Trailer is good because you won't lose/forget it and don't have to do anything and bad because you may not get good sun on it
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Old 11-27-2013, 06:37 PM   #11
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And eggs don't have bones.
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Old 11-27-2013, 06:57 PM   #12
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Two or three well placed mirrors could direct the sun onto your solar panels.
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Old 11-28-2013, 12:12 AM   #13
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I took my front panel off to raise it up on standoffs. It took some wrench mods to get the bolts off but it can be done.

Steve
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Old 11-28-2013, 12:28 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nilotica View Post
This is what I have been thinking about too. I figure that with most of my camping be in Texas and other Southern states I would be camping under trees as much as possible so I might be better to keep the solar on the tow. The Xterra has that nice rack on it and I thought the hubby could build something that we can lock on it and attach the panel to that and maybe be able to also take it off the tow and use it as a regular portable solar panel. I'm just still so ignorant of how all this works and if a long cord to the batteries would be a problem. I know RV Sue has her solar permanently attached to her tow but I want ours to be removable and just put on during camping trips. I would welcome any feedback on this.
Taryn
Check this out...

Portable Solar Kits (120, 80 & 40 watts) | GPElectric

Larry
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Old 11-28-2013, 08:58 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
You may have to cut a hole in the roof to allow sun to hit the solar…….if you can not raise the bridge, you lower the river!
Noting Jim's suggestion, might the palapa support a skylight or solar tube (www.solatube.com)?
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Old 11-28-2013, 09:12 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by soultrek View Post
Noting Jim's suggestion, might the palapa support a skylight or solar tube (www.solatube.com)?
One needs to consider that the sun tracks fron east to west and the solar incidence changes with the season.
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Old 11-29-2013, 07:50 AM   #17
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Escape13
I noticed you are not on the map, we don't show anyone in Mexico.
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Old 11-30-2013, 05:22 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotfishtacos View Post
I took my front panel off to raise it up on standoffs. It took some wrench mods to get the bolts off but it can be done.

Steve
Steve, how much did you end up raising your panel?
Thanks, Howard
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Old 11-30-2013, 09:57 PM   #19
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I raised it 3".

Quote:
steve, how much did you end up raising your panel?
Thanks, howard
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Old 12-05-2013, 11:15 AM   #20
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Phew!!!!!

Got the panel off. What a bear to remove those 4 bolts. Thanks for the help HotFishTacos!
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