LONG TERM TEST 3M VHB Tape Solar Panel Install - Is Tape Safe For RV's & Camper Vans?

[@HOBOTECH]

My entire solar setup was purchased on Amazon. You can find links to everything here: hobotech.tv/amazon/ VHB & ETERNABOND TAPES: hobos.cc/TBZS INSTALL VIDS PART 1 (2017): kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5jLqYatisyre8U INSTALL VIDS PART 2 (2017): kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4ivonqtZdWYnc0 5000mi Follow Up (2017): kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3Woc5VngtmoZq8 1 Year Follow Up (2018): kzbin.info/www/bejne/poa4aXx3i8uqsJo 2 Year Follow Up (2019): kzbin.info/www/bejne/pITLfZeseraskKs 5 Year (FINAL) Update (2022): kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWPcmYmsd8ime7c Building the strut "auto tilt" bracket Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5vWpGiYoZV1p6c Building the strut "auto tilt" bracket Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3i0mn2vjsZ_rtU

[@ParadoxTeg]

I see an appealing layout with nice headings. Just seems to be lacking that key ingredient... maybe the content is just not visible on Chrome or Safari?...

[@tharris7048]

Wow, that's quite the shopping page. I hope you spend some money in America and not all of it goes to China...LOL!

[@akush55]

awr old padawan Some Bright RV manufacture may Have added on Lighter Side of the Force of Solar By added Panel Mounting points and wiring post Or Have they? on lighter (modern teardrop trailer) you can find Solar input ports to on board Juice Boxes run a Fan and Leds, lighting or teeny tiny inverter 175 to 400 watts E power cooler boxes tiny device leds tv screen in bed size room teardrop trailer

[@thadlane8900]

Thanks professor!

[@bt4b4]

What about a travel trailer with a rubber tarp roof ?

[@scottlloyd7630]

back when you had 300 subscribers.. :)

[@frenchy3121]

Is the 3m vhb tape still holding up?

[@Vwcaddy-jo9ij]

Which vhb tape

[@earleconklin9391]

Thank You for your generous and entertaining contributions on KZbin. I would like to protect and manage the topside wires from the panels to the controller. Do you use conduit or some other type of wire tray?

[@fromtheroadwithrobert]

What about on a rubber roof ? I can’t drill holes without voiding the roof warranty so need something like this

[@fromtheroadwithrobert]

Edit: just got my answer in your video

[@glennbeattie6172]

I have a 25 year old fiberglass topper on my van. I knew from the start that I would NEVER drill holes in the top. I would hate to have to patch fiberglass. I have been considering using the tape. Thank you for showing that is has not melted in the heat! Happy Thanksgiving.

[@HOBOTECH]

Yeah, I think most have little faith because we've all experienced how bad typical hardware store tape is. VHB is an entirely different monster and has been used for decades in some really insane applications. I ended up spending hours reading about the crazy things it can do and sold me that it would work for holding a couple of silly panels to my roof. Gobble Gobble!

[@swisscamperronniecool5419]

Thanks for this great advice ! I ordered my vhb tape and will do exactly the same as you did ! You made my day...I saw many videos..but yours was the best ! 👍👍 by the way, I enjoy your channel 😎

[@HOBOTECH]

Thanks and good luck!

[@HOBOTECH]

PS - I just passed 10k miles through tons of rain, inches of snow. My paint fell off but the panels are still holding!

[@ManWander]

I used the tape atop my 2004 Roadtrek and the first trip a couple of days later was quite nerve wracking as I kept an eye on my rearview mirror while I drove but now after 10k plus miles I can say this is most definitely the way to go when installing solar on fibreglass roofs.

[@HOBOTECH]

Totally! I hope to spread the word because so many people are afraid to drill holes in their roofs or are simply misinformed about the abilities of VHB. I want to face punch the next video where someone says VHB turns into goo in the heat. Tell that to all those people working the 50th floor where all the outside windows are held in with tape!

[@RichEtheridge]

Just put a panel on my van today. It has a fibreglass roof. Was going to glue it with 252 but decided to just use the self tapping bolts. It has wood stringers in the roof.

[@HOBOTECH]

I'm curious what you used over the holes to prevent splitting and water penetration?

[@RichEtheridge]

HOBOTECH I put the putty tape down first and went around it with self-leveling sealant. I didn't think about the possibility of cracking the fibreglass until it was too late. LOL

[@HOBOTECH]

My exact thoughts were to use butyl tape over the holes then Dicor over the installed brackets. I do suggest periodically checking for any cracks so if any develop you can head them off quick. Since you have wood stringers you may get lucky!

[@RichEtheridge]

I will keep my eye on it. It's just an old conversion van, not a class B. So I devalued it the minute I yanked all the back seats out.

[@rvlee8577]

Good stuff HT. I like using door hinges on projects like that. The hinge pins can be removable on one side to gain access to the other side. Take care

[@HOBOTECH]

That's a great idea. That may not have worked for my install due to the curved roof, but maybe it could if some kind of spacers were used. Something to ponder.

[@FaithwalkerTodd]

@@HOBOTECH I saw a guy use hinges to mount his solar panel because his roof was not flat. The fact that the hinges can move allow for the ability to mount on an uneven surface. You connected one side of the hinge to the side of the solar panel and the other side of the hinge to the top of the van. The angle was not 90 degrees but it didn't matter because the hinge allowed for the flexibility. It never occurred to me that removing the pin from the hinge would make it an easier way to remove the solar panel. And once one side was loose the other side could just fold with the hinge to allow access underneath of the solar panel.

[@cwsmith7366]

What is the white single sided tape you used to put on top of the brackets?

[@HOBOTECH]

Eternabond. See my recent solar install videos for more detail.

[@cwsmith7366]

@@HOBOTECH thanks man.

[@SurfWash89]

Thanks for the videos you are killing it. You have helped many of us one little comment is that I would like a little less stuff about cats and keyboards and more on the meat of the video. Its ok for a second just not more than 20 seconds.

[@joeo8396]

Good video, I have a Road trek too. Good advise I will give it a go! Where did the wires enter the cabin?

[@HOBOTECH]

Awesome. The wires came through the a/c vent. You can see the original install videos here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5jLqYatisyre8U

[@joeo8396]

Great way to route the wire with out drilling a hole. I'm going to replace my a/c with a new unit. I will do the solar at the same time and route the solar wires into the vent. Makes sense. Keep up the good work. Check out Roadtrek Motorhomes- Vintage and Classic years- 1974-2004 Owners Group on facebook. Great people.

[@HOBOTECH]

My a/c sucks too and it's not the OEM unit. Probably will end up replacing it some day. I'll look into the group but last I checked you need a personal account for that. I tried making a Hobotech account and was banned by FB for "not using a real name". Pretty much said F them after that.

[@joeo8396]

You should really try again. Its a really great group. Lots of great info about our older Road treks. I have a 89. And have asked them for help fixing this and that.

[@RobAnnis]

Thanks for answering my question! Safe travels!

[@HOBOTECH]

Anytime!

[@FaithwalkerTodd]

Great video, thank you for taking the time and effort. New sub here.

[@anthonymarino4260]

did the same thing works great

[@Beachcommander]

I was waiting for this one ;) Whats with the new shirt?.... Bike helmet ? ;) LLAP ;)

[@HOBOTECH]

Sometimes people buy new shirts? I didn't have a bike or helmet back then. Lost me.

[@Beachcommander]

Bike helmet behind front screen ;) And i was kinda used to the "stay focused" shirt hahahaha ;)

[@HOBOTECH]

Oh ... that was probably just my now deceased hat. I still have that shirt and it is in many other videos. Amazing I haven't ruined it yet. I got it from another channel "Tony & Chelsea Northrup".

[@Beachcommander]

Cool, greetings from Heinken country ;)