wow- solar blew off!

[padlin]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Used this tape from Amazon: 3M VHB Tape 4950, 3 in width x 4 in length (Pack of 12). Cost $22.

Darn stuff is like gold.

[rbryan4]

They also sell a 15 foot roll that would be much cheaper per foot, but you might wind up with alot of excess.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CC14L96...a-308069719579

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[PGDriver]

Nice looking job Ross, braces look to have about 400% more adhesion surface.


Cheers
Doug

[Rossue]

Thanks guys; feeling secure with these feet added to supplement the original mounts. They look like they will help in sideways winds. Thought about using a pair of the ETI ones in front, however it doesn't seem necessary.

[float5]

Originally Posted by Rossue

After using dish soap & water just use isopropyl. As mentioned in the video be sure of where you want the feet planted as it isn't going to be moved later. I traced with a pencil the outer perimeter then held the bracket tight against the panel as I pushed it down as square as possible to the roof. In a worst case scenario something like piano wire could be used to slice through so one could start over.

I just read someone who I believe was or had been connected to AM Solar who specifically said not to use alcohol. Said to use brake fluid or other. He did not give a reason on the alcohol. Maybe AM solar is using alcohol or his info was wrong. Can't be sure he was with them.

[Rossue]

If you watch their video on installing the feet with VHB it shows him using an isopropyl towlette.

[float5]

Originally Posted by Rossue

If you watch their video on installing the feet with VHB it shows him using an isopropyl towlette.

Okay, then not sure why that person said that but he was very emphatic that it should not be used. Maybe not connected to them. Too bad he did not give a reason.

[craiginpetaluma]

Ross,
Looks like you have come up with a simple well planned Idea to a problem that has concerned many people. Nice job.

[Patandlinda]

Ross no worries if you installed AM instructions and substantial feet , you should be fine . Pat

[float5]

Originally Posted by Rossue

If you watch their video on installing the feet with VHB it shows him using an isopropyl towlette.

I found the person again and he has his own business but it is a certified AM Solar installation business. He is a certified marine master electrician. He says never to use alcohol but to use mineral spirits, brake cleaner or the like. Apparently, AM Solar does not say this even though he installs for them and will not use it.

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by craiginpetaluma

Ross,
Looks like you have come up with a simple well planned Idea to a problem that has concerned many people. Nice job.

Thanks Craig for your input; AM Solar did a great job on your dual-mount system and they were great to talk with for figuring out the best way to go.

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by float5

I just read someone who I believe was or had been connected to AM Solar who specifically said not to use alcohol. Said to use brake fluid or other. He did not give a reason on the alcohol. Maybe AM solar is using alcohol or his info was wrong. Can't be sure he was with them.

Please watch the video! Open the link then scroll down and watch the top right screen. He has a bottle in his hand and says "take alcohol and wipe all four corners where the foot will be".

Mounts

[float5]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Please watch the video! Open the link then scroll down and watch the top right screen. He has a bottle in his hand and says "take alcohol and wipe all four corners where the foot will be".

Mounts

I never watch videos on here and I do not question what you are saying at all. A person who has installed panels for AM Solar with VHB may have had some wrong information about alcohol, or maybe they did not use it years ago and do now. He may have had some information about alcohol that was incorrect. Don't know why he said that but I would be interested in finding out.

[LeonW]

Ross, just so I am sure that I understand right, you put on some new brackets (larger than the ones that ETI sent), but attached them to the roof with VHB tape rather than drillng a hole through the room. Is that right?

I finally got enough courage to drill a hole through the roof of the trailer when I needed to install the brackets that ETI sent.

I thought that the problem with the orignial ETI mount was that VHB tape would sometimes come loose and as a result the solar panel would go flying. Is the VHB tape on these brackets a different sort?

Thanks for enlightening me!

[Rossue]

Howdy Leon! Somehow I got wind of AM Solar and their reputation of never having had a panel fly off. There are several different grades of VHB tape and one of the factors is install temperature. Above 55 degrees F the 4950 is very strong evidently. Under that temp using a heat gun a little on the surface can be used.

[Donna D.]

Rubbing alcohol has "grades." The stuff you can buy off-the-shelf at a drug store... to the stuff that's a much higher grade. Huummm, in a pinch I wonder how well "Everclear" would work? If you're talking about "alcohol."

[Brian B-P]

I rarely watch online videos - they're just not worth the time and the mobile network data. I do read reference documents from authoritative sources. The VHB tape used by AM Solar and by Ross is made by 3M, so I think what they have to say is worth reading:
Surface Preparation for 3M™ VHB™ Tape Applications

In summary, it says to use a 50:50 solution of isopropyl alcohol (IPA, not ethanol) in water. Removal of grease is important; if a solvent is needed for de-greasing, it should be followed by the IPA solution. The electrician appears to be completely incorrect.

I note that the same document has a table of treatments for specific surfaces. Gelcoat is polyester, polyester is a non-olefin polymer, and for that the table suggests primers (3M™ Primer 94, 3M™ Scotch-Grip™ Plastic Adhesive 2262(a)) and either abrading the surface or using some specific VHB™ Tapes (4932/4952/5925/5952/5962) instead of 4950.

Like many other manufacturers, 3M provides a substantial body of technical information, based on solid science and years of development. Why not use it?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by LeonW

I thought that the problem with the orignial ETI mount was that VHB tape would sometimes come loose and as a result the solar panel would go flying. Is the VHB tape on these brackets a different sort?

According to reports by multiple owners (in this thread and others), the original Escape mounting adhesive was not VHB or any other brand of tape at all: it was epoxy.

[float5]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Rubbing alcohol has "grades." The stuff you can buy off-the-shelf at a drug store... to the stuff that's a much higher grade. Huummm, in a pinch I wonder how well "Everclear" would work? If you're talking about "alcohol."

I had no idea that there were grades, however, it seems that I have seen on a label, 100%, for instance (or some other figure maybe.) Will have to look at that.

[float5]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

According to reports by multiple owners (in this thread and others), the original Escape mounting adhesive was not VHB or any other brand of tape at all: it was epoxy.

They may have had VHB first on some. Someone else can say maybe.