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11-01-2022, 10:15 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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Solar panel fire
Just watched a disturbing utube video titled "Our solar panels caught fire." These owners had several flexible panels on their roof. They believe the copper wires broke, possibly because the thin panels were flexed, or hit by some flying object, or were walked on, or, well, who knows. This caused sparks that ignited the panels and a fire that was a very close call. Scary stuff.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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11-01-2022, 11:11 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Hazelwood, Missouri
Trailer: 2021 5.0
Posts: 767
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I didn’t get this for my Escape, but it comes in handy, for things like the roof inspection.
We’ve all known those who have fell off ladders as they get older, not to recover.
I just picked this up, along with the same but smaller version for most interior work.
Lowes has a special deal on this large one, like half off.
These types have been out for quite some time, years ago I had one of the first and got rid of it, a real pain to use. They really did it right this time.
This ladder is so much safer to use than regular ladders, something I’ve been trying to focus on.
The leg leveler is much smoother than any I’ve ever used. The stability of it is really surprising. .
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11-01-2022, 11:38 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,744
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Since I have a flexible panel on my roof, yes, scary stuff. It'd be nice to know what did cause it but we'll probably never find out. Hope it's only one in a million.
Those ladders have been the topic of past threads. Yes, very stable, enough so that I made a padded platform for the top to kneel on. Yes, that scares some folks but it's so stable I have no concerns. I can easily reach to the center of the roof.
Ron
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11-01-2022, 12:16 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Hazelwood, Missouri
Trailer: 2021 5.0
Posts: 767
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC
Since I have a flexible panel on my roof, yes, scary stuff. It'd be nice to know what did cause it but we'll probably never find out. Hope it's only one in a million.
Those ladders have been the topic of past threads. Yes, very stable, enough so that I made a padded platform for the top to kneel on. Yes, that scares some folks but it's so stable I have no concerns. I can easily reach to the center of the roof.
Ron
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Yes it’s nice.
Lowes has it for about $300 less than regular prices, for now.
A special buy, so the model number will be different from others like Home Depot or Amazon.
I had the same ides for the top, but for painting tools. Crude, but works.
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11-01-2022, 12:35 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: East of Austin, Texas
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0 / 2022 F150 SuperCab
Posts: 2,866
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ooshkaboo
I just picked this up, along with the same but smaller version for most interior work.
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Which model is that pictured with your 5.0, please?
I believe they use designations like "Leveler M##" ...
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11-01-2022, 01:17 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Hazelwood, Missouri
Trailer: 2021 5.0
Posts: 767
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Centex
Which model is that pictured with your 5.0, please?
I believe they use designations like "Leveler M##" ...
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LG M26 LEVELER MTL LADDER- this was on my receipt.
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11-01-2022, 01:34 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: East of Austin, Texas
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0 / 2022 F150 SuperCab
Posts: 2,866
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ooshkaboo
LG M26 LEVELER MTL LADDER- this was on my receipt.
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Thanks!
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11-01-2022, 04:57 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: USA, Texas
Trailer: 21
Posts: 597
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Even with these ladders please please please be very careful. My father in law in 84 yrs old, putting up clips on the roof, getting ready for Xmas decorations slipped n feel off the ladder coming down. He had to have a full hip replacement n broke most of his ribs. He is doing very well considering. Just please all be careful while on a ladder
__________________
REMEBER PEEPS WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND and PAYBACK is a #%$&$&
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11-01-2022, 06:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Trailer: 2012 E19
Posts: 1,733
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I'd like to get a leg up in the world, but not that way.
That solar panel fire is odd! Never thought it would be possible.
__________________
Losing weight puts one at much greater risk of becoming thin.
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11-01-2022, 09:11 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Silverado, California
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C "S.S. Iceburg"
Posts: 135
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I just use an ordinary eight-foot A-frame ladder. It's a little taller than the trailer and has the nice platform on top and folding out to hold stuff. I don't know why you'd want the funky folding kind over an A-frame.
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11-01-2022, 09:12 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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It's portable, sturdy - though heavier than I'd like. Hope never to need it.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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11-01-2022, 09:30 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Mount Vernon, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15 B. Room4Two
Posts: 440
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I own one of those just a shorter model have had it before the Escape.
I seldom use it because the step treads are so thin it hurts my feet to stand on it for very long.
I prefer a large step ladder to it.
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11-01-2022, 09:34 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,744
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kernwig
I just use an ordinary eight-foot A-frame ladder. It's a little taller than the trailer and has the nice platform on top and folding out to hold stuff. I don't know why you'd want the funky folding kind over an A-frame.
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Look at my first photo. See how the shorter unequal length back part allows for the ladder to be tight up against the trailer.
You can't get that close with a conventional step ladder. If you put it sideways to be close to the trailer it's much less stable.
Plus the folding type is very versatile and can be used in many configurations.
Ron
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11-01-2022, 10:49 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: San Jose, California
Trailer: 2022 5.0 TA
Posts: 669
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I’ve never seen a solar panel fire, they are made of components that aren’t flammable.
I think it would be a very unusual situation that could possibly lead to a fire.
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11-01-2022, 11:51 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: East of Austin, Texas
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0 / 2022 F150 SuperCab
Posts: 2,866
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- Even my rigid PV panels have a plastic / synthetic backing sheet and diode / connector junction box which would likely melt or turn to char if they got hot enough
- There's certainly enough current running in these things to create a LOT of heat if the 'right' thing went 'wrong'
- Methinks the likelihood of that is so very low that it's not anything to lose sleep or agonize about
But yeah, they're human creations with failings possible; no reason to not live a life full of fun, adventure, and optimism with No Worries, IMO
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11-02-2022, 08:34 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Hazelwood, Missouri
Trailer: 2021 5.0
Posts: 767
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kernwig
I just use an ordinary eight-foot A-frame ladder. It's a little taller than the trailer and has the nice platform on top and folding out to hold stuff. I don't know why you'd want the funky folding kind over an A-frame.
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I didn’t think I’d own the folding type again, but once I saw the improved ones being used by a couple of guys installing gutters, I was in. Handled the sidewalk steps like they weren’t even there.
What Ron said-and when it’s in the A configuration both sides will hold up to 300 pounds.
The leg levers for me are a must, I tend to be a bit accident prone so safety is also important to me. I did have a ladders bottom slide out on me, not only broke the metal ladder when I fell on top of it, but didn’t feel good. Kept me off roofs for a few years.
I also picked up the 17’ and those two have replaced most of my other ladders. I keep a telescope folding style in the back of my work truck.
Next time you’re at the hardware store try one out, the stability alone did it for me.
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11-02-2022, 07:25 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by splitting_lanes
I’ve never seen a solar panel fire, they are made of components that aren’t flammable.
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Typically rigid panels have glass covers, but flexible panels likely have polymer (plastic) covers. The backing could be anything, but glass-reinforced polymers ("fiberglass") would be likely. Polymers are generally flammable, although some may only char and not support combustion once the heat source (current from the battery shorting through solar panel components) is removed.
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11-02-2022, 08:21 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: San Jose, California
Trailer: 2022 5.0 TA
Posts: 669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P
Typically rigid panels have glass covers, but flexible panels likely have polymer (plastic) covers. The backing could be anything, but glass-reinforced polymers ("fiberglass") would be likely. Polymers are generally flammable, although some may only char and not support combustion once the heat source (current from the battery shorting through solar panel components) is removed.
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True, I wasn’t accounting for all possible components. Copper and Silicon are really tough to burn, but if there are some other materials with a lower burn point, or even something used to mount the panel…. Who knows
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11-02-2022, 11:23 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Trailer: SOLD - 2022 Escape 21NE
Posts: 100
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I became curious about the instances of fires caused by solar panels.
Naturally, almost all were on rooftops of houses or commercial buildings. Most attributed to "installation errors or manufacturing defects".
I found a couple of reports where panels caught fire after being damaged by hail then shorting out when heated by the sun.
I get the impression this is not a common occurrence in the RV world, and that proper installation + avoiding hail storms = nothing to worry about
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11-03-2022, 09:27 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC
Look at my first photo. See how the shorter unequal length back part allows for the ladder to be tight up against the trailer.
You can't get that close with a conventional step ladder. If you put it sideways to be close to the trailer it's much less stable.
Plus the folding type is very versatile and can be used in many configurations.
Ron
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I have kept a good quality 6' fibreglass ladder that gets a fair bit of use, but my folding type at 7' set up as a step is by far my favourite. Along with the factors you described it is also WAY sturdier and you can go up either side, something that is nice for putting one foot one either side for good stability when up high. As well, painting a stairwell or even putting up a platform on one using a ladder as a support just can't be done with a regular step ladder.
__________________
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
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