GoPower Panel Catastrophic Failure

[M_canada]

They appear to have a flexible edge that just rests on the roof.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by M_canada

Here is the front panel of my 21NE that was delivered a few weeks ago. I think it was out of production and then modified, so I’m not 100% sure if this a new design or a retrofit, but some people might be interested in seeing it.

Someone did a really nice mounting job!

Perhaps if you driving 80 mph
into gale force winds..............................

Enjoy,

Perry

[MyronL]

This thread was a big wake-up call for me. My new 190 watt solar panel is now installed on E-19’s roof. It is big and heavy but easily angled up or replaced if necessary. All its attachment choices were influenced by what I have read.

1. Make a frame for added long-side strength.
2. Buy and keep a portable ladder with the truck because you never know.
3. Put panel on the back of the trailer, not on the front.
4. Don't rely strictly on 3M VHB tape alone– drill holes and bolt through the roof.
5. Cover corner brackets with EternaBond.

And hope for the best.

[cpaharley2008]

Good to see you have helpers while on the ladder there, MyronL..........

[skyfree]

Originally Posted by MyronL

This thread was a big wake-up call for me. My new 190 watt solar panel is now installed on E-19’s roof. It is big and heavy but easily angled up or replaced if necessary. All its attachment choices were influenced by what I have read.

1. Make a frame for added long-side strength.
2. Buy and keep a portable ladder with the truck because you never know.
3. Put panel on the back of the trailer, not on the front.
4. Don't rely strictly on USB tape alone– drill holes and bolt through the roof.
5. Cover corner brackets with EternaBond.

And hope for the best.

Do you mean 3M VHB tape?

I have a lot of experience with it on my truck camper which is made of aluminum. For this application I would rough up the surfaces with scotch brite and use 3M Adhesion promoter 111 to help bond with the metal. Make sure to apply above 60F. I like to warm up the surface with a heat gun -- not hot but warm.

If it fails, it's likely because it wasn't applied properly. I would still trust VHB enough to use it in place of drilling holes if I applied it myself, but a production line environment in a cold building would be questionable.

I don't think the panels will get hot enough to weaken the VHB, but maybe in the desert in the summer. It loses 50% of it's adhesion at 200F.

[HABBERDABBER]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Good to see you have helpers while on the ladder there, MyronL.

That's not Myron.....photo from an OP showing damage to panel.

[MyronL]

Of course you're right, it is 3m 4950 VHB tape. All applied at the correct temperature with careful attention to surface prep. And of course the damage pix was from original post that started this topic.