Plusnut - Crossnut - Rivnut - Nutsert

[Edward Teach]

I have been trying to find a source to buy 30 or so Plusnut Rivets

I would like to use (8mm bolt size) Plusnut Rivets, (8mm bolts are supplied with the solar panel kit) to fit the brackets to the roof of a motorhome, for a 1m x 2m solar panel.
Access through the headlining would be a PITA, I would bolt the brackets with large washers if this was possible !
There are 8 brackets, each with 2 fixings, to fit to the roof,
The brackets would also have Sikaflex applied.
I have used normal rivnuts during a few projects with great success,
But !!
With the added wind force when driving at possibly 80mph, a 1m x 2m solar panel fitted longitudinally, may want to pull through the roof metal and come away from its mountings
The added load area of the Plusnut Rivets would make for a more secure fixing, with possibly extra brackets fitted also.
I have thought of a windshield/deflector fitted in front of the solar panel, which may help.
Rivnuts are available everywhere online,
But I cannot find these Plusnut, Crossnut,
I have searched all the usual online sites, - eBay, Amazon, but have only found one source on eBay Australia with high purchase and delivery costs Here lol
ps: I am in The UK
I have found a few websites advertising Plusnuts, but nothing to buy at sensible money !

Rivet Nut, Rivnut® Fasteners and Tools | Cardinal Components, Inc (rivet-nut.com)
plusnut_prebulbed_catalog_specifications.pdf (rivet-nut.com)
Plusnut Rivnut® Fasteners and Tools | rivet-nut.com
M8 Plusnut - Steel - Flanged Head - Pre Bulbed - Grip Range 0.5-7.1mm - INPNS-0807-P | RIVETLAB
Qty 30 M8 Zinc Steel Plus Nut Plusnut Rivnut Insert Nutsert Grip 0.5-8.1mm | eBay
Cross Nuts and Hex Nuts: Avoid Drilling Holes in your Van | FarOutRide
Lessons Learned: Rivnuts Vs. Plusnuts - Points Unknown
How to Install Plusnuts in a DIY Camper Van » VanConverts.com

Has anyone used these fixings,
Fitted a solar panel using this type of fixture,
And would you be able to direct me to a UK supplier.
Thank you

 

[Melvyn Best]

My solar panels on my motorhome i installed using Sikaflex about 5 years ago, they are still there !

 

[123hotchef]

regular rivnuts and tigerseal

 

[hotponyshoes]

Try a coach builder supplier.
We use a similar thing to fix vent fans onto fibreglass roofs on horse boxes.

They are not water tight though so would need sealing.
I think they normally come in boxes of 250 so if you can't find smaller amounts on ebay/amazon give me a shout and I will see if I have any 8mm ones

 

[hotponyshoes]

Also, if you haven't bought the panels yet have a look at the efte(??) panels,
I have fitted a couple of these on boats using 3m vhb tape and they are a much better solution I think.

 

[Edward Teach]

Also, if you haven't bought the panels yet have a look at the efte(??) panels,
I have fitted a couple of these on boats using 3m vhb tape and they are a much better solution I think.

Thank you for the info, they do look like a very good alternative.
The panels have been supplied by the customer, but I will look into this
efte flexible solar panels - Bing

 

[Agroshield]

They look very similar to expanding plasterboard fixings, e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/10-Mungo-53-hollow-anchors-expansion-plasterboard/dp/B01JOQCP8A

The only issue with the plasterboard fixings is that they are expecting a 9mm upwards thickness of panel, whereas you are going into much thinner sheet metal. Maybe a plastic or metal spacer under the flange of a plasterboard fixing could make it work.

More options: https://www.blindbolt.co.uk/thin-wall-bolt/ (replace countersunk screw with stud and nut).

Jack nuts https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372228875618

 

[Shox Dr]

I wouldnt be drill holes in the roof, guaranteed to leak. The correct Sikaflex will glue two angry elephants together.

 

[winchman]

Having done this my self I would use Sikaflex with the correct primer, once drilled the roof will at some time in the future leak.

Did mine in March 2018 I called Sika, the local rep was excellent, I used 205 Cleaner and Sika 552 adhesive. Been on 3 years with no issues. Cost £25 at the time

Sika 552 Adhesive 300ml

Sika 552 Adhesive 300ml Sika 552 300ml - A High Performance Assembly Structural Adhesive Requiring Minimal Surface Preparation Sikaflex®-552 is a high performance elastic gap-filling PUR-Hybrid adhesive based on the Sika Silane Terminated Polymer (STP) t

adsupply.co.uk

I have seen local caravan place sell people all sorts of stuff and telling them its for glueing panels on, I believe the Sika Rep when around to educate him!

 

[JMS1972]

Is this like a jacknut?

https://www.rivetwise.co.uk/rivets/rivet-nuts.asp?section=jack_nuts-1049

 

[James1979]

As above. I had 3 on ours. They were big (2’x4’) ish.
I messed about with stainless riv nuts on the first one and in the end I just sika’d the other two on.

that van went all over Europe a few times. Plenty of thousands of miles on those panels at autobahn speeds some of it.

ive subsequently sold the van for scrap. I kept the panels but the new owner had a use for the brackets. He smashed them trying to get them off

 

[Misterg]

Glue / Sikaflex, etc. is only as good as what it's stuck to.

(Roof of a Fiat van conversion from another forum where the solar panel brackets lifted off with the paint attached! Apparently the same thing has been reported with Sprinters)

If the panels are going onto a painted surface, I'd always use a mechanical backup as well as glue (big self-tappers on our van).

 

[James1979]

Glue / Sikaflex, etc. is only as good as what it's stuck to.

(Roof of a Fiat van conversion from another forum where the solar panel brackets lifted off with the paint attached! Apparently the same thing has been reported with Sprinters)

View attachment 287494

If the panels are going onto a painted surface, I'd always use a mechanical backup as well as glue (big self-tappers on our van).

This is true. I sanded the paint off where I stuck mine then painted over / round the feet. Just whatever I had handy that was the right colour! May have been gravitex from memory

 

[Bullet2012]

Is it a flat panel you need to attach to ? Or ribbed ?

 

[Edward Teach]

I wouldnt be drill holes in the roof, guaranteed to leak. The correct Sikaflex will glue two angry elephants together.

The idea was to fix mechanically with Plusnut Rivets and glue with Sikaflex,
The Sikaflex would stop any leaks if its as good as they say !!

 

[Edward Teach]

Having done this my self I would use Sikaflex with the correct primer, once drilled the roof will at some time in the future leak.

Did mine in March 2018 I called Sika, the local rep was excellent, I used 205 Cleaner and Sika 552 adhesive. Been on 3 years with no issues. Cost £25 at the time

Sika 552 Adhesive 300ml

Sika 552 Adhesive 300ml Sika 552 300ml - A High Performance Assembly Structural Adhesive Requiring Minimal Surface Preparation Sikaflex®-552 is a high performance elastic gap-filling PUR-Hybrid adhesive based on the Sika Silane Terminated Polymer (STP) t

adsupply.co.uk

I have seen local caravan place sell people all sorts of stuff and telling them its for glueing panels on, I believe the Sika Rep when around to educate him!

Thank you for the info on the correct Sikaflex,
This Citroen Relay van conversion, which is several years old, and having an update, already has paint issues, that have been addressed, the paint issue is common on the Relay, Boxer, Ducato Vans.
I think having the paint removed to bare metal where the brackets are fitted would be the safest option, with a mechanical fixing and the Sikaflex you have suggested.

 

[Edward Teach]

Is this like a jacknut?

https://www.rivetwise.co.uk/rivets/rivet-nuts.asp?section=jack_nuts-1049

These look very good, something I will have a closer look at.
The Versa Nuts seem to have the spec I may be looking for.
Versa Nuts (rivetwise.co.uk)
Further investigation is needed on the Jack Nuts and Versa Nuts,
Thank you.

 

[Edward Teach]

As above. I had 3 on ours. They were big (2’x4’) ish.
I messed about with stainless riv nuts on the first one and in the end I just sika’d the other two on.

that van went all over Europe a few times. Plenty of thousands of miles on those panels at autobahn speeds some of it.

ive subsequently sold the van for scrap. I kept the panels but the new owner had a use for the brackets. He smashed them trying to get them off

This is a 2m x 1m (6' x 3') panel,
I hear you on the Sikaflex,
I think I will Rivnut, Jacknut, Versa Nut as a back up to the Sikaflex, so I can sleep at night,
Its not my van, I'm only fitting the panel.

 

[Edward Teach]

Glue / Sikaflex, etc. is only as good as what it's stuck to.

(Roof of a Fiat van conversion from another forum where the solar panel brackets lifted off with the paint attached! Apparently the same thing has been reported with Sprinters)

View attachment 287494

If the panels are going onto a painted surface, I'd always use a mechanical backup as well as glue (big self-tappers on our van).

This would be my concern,
I have known this van from new, and have painted it previously,
It seems what ever primer was used at the factory was the problem from my limited experience,
Not that I am a professional painter,
Back to bare metal where the brackets fit and use the recommended Sikaflex products, with a mechanical Rivnut of sorts, as a back up

 

[Edward Teach]

Is it a flat panel you need to attach to ? Or ribbed ?

The roof is ribbed,
2007 Citroen Relay,
This is not The Van,
But the same model