some bodges to fit a rectangular solar panel onto a slightly curved hatch?

[steve yates]

I have a rigid panel to put on Bethfran, the best place I can see is atop the sliding hatch, with one of those throdeck glands fitted to the deck on one side of the hatch for the cable, the slack required forthe hatch to slide back and forth wont be too much and wont get in the way of anything there.

Problem is the slight curve of the hatch, I'm thinking of sticking four bits of rubber or wood onto it, with a concave/angled cut on their underneath to approximate the hatch contour but give me a flat surface to screw the four corners of the panel down to.

Probably takes longer to type than to visualise

Any suggestions for whats best/easiest? Best way to affix to hatch without drilling holes in it?

Thx.

 

[steve yates]

Although I am tempted by these? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RR7Y...pY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

I reckon I could just bend the flange down so its horizontal when the base is fixed to the curve?

 

[rogerthebodger]

Although I am tempted by these? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RR7Y...pY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

I reckon I could just bend the flange down so its horizontal when the base is fixed to the curve?

That's exactly what I was thinking of. I have a solar panel fixed on top of my curved hatch garage in a similar way.

 

[Pete7]

How about 4 door stops and bolt or screw straight through them?

Pete

 

[Davy_S]

How about 4 door stops and bolt or screw straight through them?

Pete

Any suggestions for whats best/easiest? Best way to affix to hatch without drilling holes in it?
Yours was still a good idea though.

 

[TOKOLOSHI]

Sycaflex would hold door stops in place!

 

[Davy_S]

What about these, a fiver for four, amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Packet-suc...0?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1572379317&sr=1-20

 

[peteK]

What about 2strips of aluminium angle sikaflexd to hatch with the solar panel screwed between them.

 

[smithy]

I used some anodised aluminium angle as spacers ( B&Q ). These were joined to the panel with some flat aluminium on the inside.

 

[steve yates]

Smithy, can you expand on joined to panel by flat aluminium on the inside?? I'm not getting my head round that.

From your photo I would have guessed you have 2 3 sided ali bars fixed to your hatch, then you just bent the top angle down a bit so its horizontal and fitted the panel to that? Basically same idea as the z pieces I linked to but using a longer piece? I like that idea, if I have it right?

 

[smithy]

 

[steve yates]

It does indeed, thank you.

Looks like the same idea that Pete suggested too, so I'll try that.

Much appreciated.