Finished installing my battery monitor yesterday afternoon when some warm weather rolled into town. I've got all the components for a full solar install, but waiting for warmer weather to put a coat of epoxy paint on roof before the solar panels, so I'm working backwards - battery to roof. Install was straight forward. Installing a Victron solar charge controller 150/70 TR. Both units have bluetooth built in and I like not having to run control wires for monitor panels into the living area.
Everything fired right up and once I entered bluetooth passcode it went through firmware updates via the phone app on the BMV. Entered my battery capacity into the settings and it started feeding me info. Ordered the cable for the battery monitor connection and cable crimper from Tempco. Wish it had been installed when we dry camped for a week at Wild Rivers in NM last summer. Six months to retirement.
Looks great. Which solar charge controller are you using?
Victron 150/70 to operate 4 180 watt panels with option of one more for total of 900 watts.
Realmccoy, just a quick question. Are you going to hold down the solar panels with VHBTAPE tape or screws?
If tape then if the roof right now before painting is in good shape where panels mounts will be, I would be very cautious and make sure that the paint has a very good bond with roof as that is what the tape is holding onto (paint)and if not you will loose the panels.
I personally would rather stick the tape to original finish of roof as I and many others did.
If you are using screws then paint it first.
JohnH
If you use VHB tape use the 3M cleaner/adhesion promoter on the clean gel coat and the brackets. If you can get the brackets mounted first, caulk the brackets and then paint is probably a best way. Otherwise mask the bracket location and don't paint where the brackets are going. Otherwise your weakest point will be the bond between paint and gel coat.
Screws work if you can hit roof aluminum framing and that is not likely. VHB tape works great.
Great suggestion. I am planning to use VHB tape and will follow your suggestion to mount the panels on the original gel coat. I had wondered if that might be a problem. I had not known about the 3M adhesion promoter. Do you have a part number for it?
Solar panel mounting
Cleaner/adehesion promoter
Amazon.com: 3M 111 Clear Tape Primer - Liquid Bottle - For Use With 3M VHB... (https://amazon.com/gp/product/B00745Z8BK/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Caulk
Amazon.com: 3M 06580 Marine Adhesive/Sealant Fast Cure 4000 UV, White / 1/10... (https://amazon.com/gp/product/B000XBDJWC/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
VHB Tape
Amazon.com: 3M VHB Heavy Duty Mounting Tape 5952, 1.5" width x 5yd length (1... (https://amazon.com/gp/product/B00HLY7BBO/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
My mounts are 1.75"x12" and made to fit the curve of the roof. I use 12" of the VHB tape above. No screws, very solid. Some of the commercial mounts are only 2.5" long x 1" wide. Too small for my comfort level.