Question s regarding mounting panels on a curved roof?

[Ampster]

They make unistrut or equivalent in a profile that is rectangular and therefore higher than the square profile. I got mine at McMaster Carr.

[PNW_Steve]

[QUOTE=Ampster;n395386]They make unistrut or equivalent in a profile that is rectangular and therefore higher than the square profile. I got mine at McMaster Carr.[/QUOTE

Thank you.

I will check it out.

[DMH]

I do know that solar panels have venting at the rear, I am guessing their output increases or at least there is less drop in output? I am seeing so many boats with the flexible versions glued to curved cabin roof and decks, I would reckon if you calculate your needs you may still cover your usage? If it really is as simple as it appears then your mounting problems are sorted at the stroke of a brush dipped in adhesive?



Dave

[littleharbor]

The steel Unistrut is very heavy, especially so for the larger rectangular type. If the aluminum version of Unistrut is available you might want to consider it.

[Ampster]

The steel Unistrut is very heavy, especially so for the larger rectangular type. If the aluminum version of Unistrut is available you might want to consider it.

And you will have less of an issue with galvanic corrosion if you use aluminum.

[PNW_Steve]

The steel Unistrut is very heavy, especially so for the larger rectangular type. If the aluminum version of Unistrut is available you might want to consider it.

Not terriby concerned about the weight. I have an 8000 pound "weight budget" for the conversion.

[PNW_Steve]

And you will have less of an issue with galvanic corrosion if you use aluminum.

It will be painted. I would think that a quality paint job would protect it adequately.

What do you think?

[PNW_Steve]

Any thoughts on the mounting method shown in the picture?

[littleharbor]

Not terriby concerned about the weight. I have an 8000 pound "weight budget" for the conversion.

When you pick up a full length of the rectangular steel stuff you'll understand what I mean. It is so heavy you may find even handling and mounting it difficult. plus the corrosion factor.

[Ampster]

It will be painted. I would think that a quality paint job would protect it adequately.

What do you think?

Painting probably won't mitigate galvanic corrosion. Isolating dissimilar metals is what prevents that kind of corrosion. Not a big issue especially if you are not near moist or salt air. Is the bus body steel or aluminum?

[Ampster]

Any thoughts on the mounting method shown in the picture?

I can't tell from the picture with enough detail. Presumably you are going to be driving that bus down the Interstate highway so they will be subject to wind loads and vibration. Do you have rudimentary engineering skills to logically account for wind uplift loads? The classic example of what not to do is the guy with a mattress tied to the roof of his car with a piece of string.

[littleharbor]

I like the guy who drove past us at 80+ mph. with a new fridge in the bed of his truck. 1/2 mile ahead everybody starts slamming on the brakes. New fridge basically exploded all over the freeway. I'm sure that went over well with the little woman.

[J.P.M.]

And you will have less of an issue with galvanic corrosion if you use aluminum.

The way I learned it, one way of several to reduce/eliminate(?) galvanic corrosion where 2 metallic surfaces are joined is to use similar (or identical) metals. If the roof is steel, that would indicate using steel supports. If the roof is steel, using aluminum for support material without taking measures to reduce the galvanic potential between the two metals will have the potential to cause more problems than steel on steel.

[PNW_Steve]

Painting probably won't mitigate galvanic corrosion. Isolating dissimilar metals is what prevents that kind of corrosion. Not a big issue especially if you are not near moist or salt air. Is the bus body steel or aluminum?

I am not understanding?

AL on a steel roof would certainly be more problematic than galvanized steel. I am not too concerned about the weight of the steel Unistrut. It may be a pain to handle but I only have to do it once.

[PNW_Steve]

I can't tell from the picture with enough detail. Presumably you are going to be driving that bus down the Interstate highway so they will be subject to wind loads and vibration. Do you have rudimentary engineering skills to logically account for wind uplift loads? The classic example of what not to do is the guy with a mattress tied to the roof of his car with a piece of string.

If I had the engineering skills I probably would not need to ask the question.....,.

So, lacking necessary knowledge, I sought assistance from the smartest group of people that I could find.

Personal tip: NEVER drive behind a car with a mattress on the roof.