Solar panel fitting. Part 2.

Once glued to the Roof it's time to drill another hole! 25mm this time.this is to allow the two cables from the panel to enter inside the van.The hole has been drilled so that it is in the dinette area. Painted with anti rust paint then a rubber grommet fitted.The +ve and -ve cables are the threaded through the gland of the roof entry box and inside the van. The box was then glued to the roof with Sika . At this stage you can then move inside the van.

The next job is to site the controller. I'm using a 20 amp Juta model with an lcd screen.It is screwed to the wall above the window and rear seat.next two cables are fitted from the controller to the + & - terminals of the leisure battery.Ive added an inline fuse to the + ve cable , next to the battery. 4mm cable has been used.These two cables are connected first so that the controller can read the battery voltage.then the cables from the panel can be connected to the controller. That's alm there is too it! You should then start to receive free electricity!!

The controller is fitted temporary at the moment as there will be an overhead locker added at a later date, so the cables will be hidden.
I'll post again when I've been able to gauge the results.

New Tap.

Hello! In a previous post I mentioned the useless plastic tap that came with the smev sink. Well it is no more! After leaking from day one, it has now been replaced with a metal one.

The new tap is fitted into the work surface and swivels round into the bowl.Pressure is good and best of all it doesn't leak !! Happy days.

Solar Panel Fitting. Part 1.

Hello ! I've finally got round to fitting the solar panel mentioned in a previous post.My Brother-in-law has recently fitted a 100 watt panel to his caravan and it's working very well at the moment, due to the late summer sunshine.

Firstly I bought a length of ally corner from B&Q. It's 30mm x 30mm and I bought a 1m length. This is enough to make 4 brackets as I plan to get another panel at a later date.

Then cut two 500mm lengths and drill 4 holes at equal spacings. The holes are marked so that when fitted to the panel there is a 20mm air gap between the underside of panel and top of roof.

Next the brackets are offered up to the ends short ends of the panel and the four holes are drilled into the panel.then all holes enlarged with a 7mm drill.The brackets are then bolted to the panel with some M 5.5 bolts washers/nuts.

The panel is then ready to offer up on the roof.It was at this moment that the wind decided to pick up! No I didn't drop it 😏.

I've fitted it between the front and back roof light and it spans 4 ribs. That leaves 4 sunken ribs. I cut 8 @ 30 mm squares from a length of upvc d section. These were then glued with Sika to the roof.Glueing them in the middle of the corrugations allows for ang water to pass to the central gutter and leave the roof.

Next the panel was stuck to the roof with Sika Ebt , this is cheaper than 512 Sika and is sold in Screwfix. Your able to buy some on a Saturday afternoon as they are open alm day! .The excess Sika is then smoothed off leaving a 5mm joint.The Sika remains flexible after curing, so allowing for movement and flexing of the van roof.

That's it for part one.Part 2 will show connecting of cables and fitting of the regulator.

Stephen.

Bournemouth Airshow

We've been at the air show this weekend.The weather has been loverly this year. Lots of planes and helicopters flying , one of the highlights was the Vulcan bomber, it's huge and very noisy!
Decided to stay put on Friday night as we wanted to be sure of a parking space for Saturday.Wildcamped along the Boscombe Overcliff with a few other vans.
Havn't done anything to the van but put a towel under the sink as the leaky tap has got worse! Going to buy a domestic type one that fits into the work surface.