Drilling a hole in fibreglass for a solar panel question.

[Skyliner33]

I realise that to fit a solar panel on a fibreglass pop top that a hole or holes will need to be drilled?

I also believe that once the holes have been drilled they will need to be sealed to stop water getting in?

My question is how are the holes sealed and what would be best to use?

 

[oldiebut goodie]

If you haven't any polyester resin to hand I would use epoxy resin.

 

[soldas]

Load of different ways really. I wanted as low profile as possible (so didn't use a gland). I drilled and just used black silicone on top and underneath. Where I when through the roof it's at the back so not inside the poptop canvas (cables route through the OEM hole above the door seal (barndoor)). As much as it needs to be water tight if it isn't, technically any water that did get through wouldn't go into the van anyways.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Two different things being sealed here - I was talking of sealing the actual fibreglass cut edges of the hole, soldas is talking of sealing the cable to the fibreglass!

 

[soldas]

Two different things being sealed here - I was talking of sealing the actual fibreglass cut edges of the hole, soldas is talking of sealing the cable to the fibreglass!

Yeah sorry, might have misread there!

 

[oldiebut goodie]

You may well be more correct with your response than I was!

 

[Skyliner33]

Two different things being sealed here - I was talking of sealing the actual fibreglass cut edges of the hole, soldas is talking of sealing the cable to the fibreglass!

If the cable is sealed to the fibreglass would the actual cut edges of the fibreglass need to be sealed. I’m guessing it would be preferable. Belts and braces.

 

[Skyliner33]

You may well be more correct with your response than I was!

I was actually thinking about the cut edges of the fibreglass.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Personally I would - it prevents moisture from wicking up the glass strands which can lead to delamination.

 

[Dellmassive]

Tigerseal or Sika flex.

That's what's used on mine.

 

[ginkster]

Hole saw or drill bit (metal) for the holes. Scanstrut gland for sealing the cable entry. They are not cheap but absolutely fantastic and top quality.

 

[Dellmassive]

More info here....

Solar Panel: Cutting Hole in Roof !!!

im going fit a solar panel I’ve made sure all cables and connections are under the panel. As I hate to see them. Until it arrives I don’t know how high the connections make the panel sit off the roof ! It’s a HiLow roof. Inside is unfinished. I’ve got to drill cable holes anyway. So...

www.t6forum.com

.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

I was actually thinking about the cut edges of the fibreglass.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

I realise that to fit a solar panel on a fibreglass pop top that a hole or holes will need to be drilled?

I also believe that once the holes have been drilled they will need to be sealed to stop water getting in?

My question is how are the holes sealed and what would be best to use?

I’m going to use these feet to mount my panel.
I’m only boring 2 holes through my pop top for the front 2 feet. The feet will have plenty sikaflex under them to seal the holes.
The cables at the back are going through a gland that also will have plenty sikaflex under it to seal it.
I’m attempting it today.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

I was actually thinking about the cut edges of the fibreglass.

People keep missing the point! Not about mounting, glands, and so on just the edges of the cut.

 

[Skyliner33]

People keep missing the point! Not about mounting, glands, and so on just the edges of the cut.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

People keep missing the point! Not about mounting, glands, and so on just the edges of the cut.

Why would you be worried about the edges of the cut fibreglass hole when it’s filled with sealant ? then in my case a bracket or gland on the top with a load of sealant underneath that?

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Moisture in the air can condense and wick up the glass strands - moisture is inside as well as outside!

 

[Skyliner33]

Why would you be worried about the edges of the cut fibreglass hole when it’s filled with sealant ? then in my case a bracket or gland on the top with a load of sealant underneath that?

Moisture in the air can condense and wick up the glass strands - moisture is inside as well as outside!

Thanks. I think @The Flying Scotsman was meaning that the hole in the fibreglass he cut has been completely filled around the cable with sealant (the sikaflex?) from above and below. So there would be no cut edges of the fibreglass in contact with the air?

 

[Farnorthsurfer]

To seal the cut edge of a fibreglass panel you can use Cyanoacrylate adhesive more commonly known as Superglue.
This is a recognised process in aircraft engineering repairs.
You just smear the glue round the edge and it seals the fibreglass stopping water wicking up the strands as @oldiebut goodie has already indicated.