Some Interesting Solar results and removing a bonded panel
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 10:54 am
Just before I went to France 2 weeks ago I removed 2 x 40w flat solar panels on my Bongo that I'd installed several years ago (when I had no idea or experience on how to neatly apply the adhesive!!! - that's changed now! 
). I wanted to install and test a 100W flex panel.
I wanted to know how hard it really is to remove panels stuck on with Sikaflex - I'd heard rumours that the roof would break before the sikaflex let go, and I wanted to stick the new panel on with air/water gaps in the adhesive to allow a moderate amount of air circulation underneath, and for water drainage.
When I removed the old panels which were sealed all the way round, there was evidence of moisture underneath. Not much, but some. So drainage was definitely a good idea.
Here is the start of the process.
I just slid a fully extended knife under/through the adhesive. It was no problem. As I peeled the panels off, I used the same blade to help any stubborn adhesive let go.
(above - ugly cable gland. I don't recommend these any more.)
Below is the remaining adhesive. It's mostly stayed on the roof as it's a better keyed surface.
Below: IF I'd cared, I think I could have removed most of the adhesive without too much paint removal. It'll need painting regardless.
Most importantly the roof is not damaged in any way. The rumours were just that, rumours.
I then stuck on a 100W panel. There is a margin in the right that the new panel does not cover - leaving the damaged paint visible. I'll either put a grey sticker on it, or, I'm thinking, a solar camper solutions logo on a black sticker along it Can't see the point in a respray when a sticker will do the job perfectly.
So far, very impressive. Frequently getting over 5 amps. Not seen the 6 amps I regularly get from aluminium framed panels of the same power rating. That's to be expected as these thin panels get hotter.
This surprised me though...
In that shade, the panel was still producing 1.9 Amps!!
It was a very bright day, so there will have been lots of reflected light, but I never expected nearly 2 amps under a tree.
). I wanted to install and test a 100W flex panel.I wanted to know how hard it really is to remove panels stuck on with Sikaflex - I'd heard rumours that the roof would break before the sikaflex let go, and I wanted to stick the new panel on with air/water gaps in the adhesive to allow a moderate amount of air circulation underneath, and for water drainage.
When I removed the old panels which were sealed all the way round, there was evidence of moisture underneath. Not much, but some. So drainage was definitely a good idea.
Here is the start of the process.
I just slid a fully extended knife under/through the adhesive. It was no problem. As I peeled the panels off, I used the same blade to help any stubborn adhesive let go.
(above - ugly cable gland. I don't recommend these any more.)
Below is the remaining adhesive. It's mostly stayed on the roof as it's a better keyed surface.
Below: IF I'd cared, I think I could have removed most of the adhesive without too much paint removal. It'll need painting regardless.
Most importantly the roof is not damaged in any way. The rumours were just that, rumours.
I then stuck on a 100W panel. There is a margin in the right that the new panel does not cover - leaving the damaged paint visible. I'll either put a grey sticker on it, or, I'm thinking, a solar camper solutions logo on a black sticker along it
Can't see the point in a respray when a sticker will do the job perfectly.So far, very impressive. Frequently getting over 5 amps. Not seen the 6 amps I regularly get from aluminium framed panels of the same power rating. That's to be expected as these thin panels get hotter.
This surprised me though...
In that shade, the panel was still producing 1.9 Amps!!
It was a very bright day, so there will have been lots of reflected light, but I never expected nearly 2 amps under a tree.
