Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure

Dellmassive said:
moving on . . .

we masked out the new panels outline.

View attachment 291622

and got the wrap out. . .

we went for this stuff as advised by the resident Vinyl expert @Grim Reaper who recommended this stuff.

not cheap, but versus a roof repaint it was worth it.

it come as 152cm by whatever - we opted for 2m.


View attachment 291624


View attachment 291623


well - i have to say i have a new found respect for anyone that does vinyl wrapping.

this stuff is like plastering - it looks easy to do, but dont let the videos fool you.

its a pain in the bum . . . it took two of us ages and a few choice words.

we ended up with creases, bubbles, stretches - you name it.

luckily 90% of this will be hidden under the new panel anyway, disaster avoided.

View attachment 291636

the plan was to put vinyl down anywhere any sticky stuff went.. . . .

so that's what we did, I'm planning on using VHB Velcro to stick the panel to the roof.

this will allow:

A - easier removal in future as it has a 5yr warranty
B - allow for better thermal expansion of the panel, ie it can breath with the heat
C - less damaging to the van


out with the Velcro then. - i had the 50mm stuff that i use all the time,

i got a 10m role, and used what's left of the 5m role.

hook side on the roof,

loop side towards the panel.

them we are planning on a Tigerseal bead across the front lip and possibly don the sides,

and definitely leaving the back side fully open.


View attachment 291638

View attachment 291639

we used coke cans to hold the panel up off the roof while it was lined up.....

this stuff is SUPER sticky !!!! trust me.





View attachment 291640View attachment 291641

with a bead of tigerseal along the front, and a couple of bricks to weigh down the corners over night we was done.

View attachment 291642


kit used:

Tube Gun - Amazon.co.uk
VHB Velcro - https://amzn.to/3HWi9gH
Tigerseal - https://amzn.to/4l6mht1
masking tape - https://amzn.to/43GNRXW

.
Click to expand...
-- Wiring it up --


the panel had the standard 4mm PV cable and MC4 connectors. - i cut the MC4 off.

1749887188777.png


now i much prefer the REAR-JUNCTION-BOX style, but that wasn't an option.

so i wanted to make it as neat as possible.

and definitely didn't want those awful cable gland entry boxes, i loath the look of them.


so i drilled a new hole under the panel.

1749887332560.png


then sealed the cut fibreglass roof holes with a matching grey nail varnish.


the cables tucked neatly under the panel in the low trough,

1749887517636.png1749887529091.png


then used a metal crimp tube to the 4mm flexible twin core id run in.

with some fetching purple adheisive lined heat shrink.

1749887595453.png


and some sticky feet style cable fixings.


1749887633261.png


the cable had a nice wide C shaped loop, to alow the roof to drop without stressing the cable.

then through the old hole into the van.


1749887714695.png


while i was there i added a second twin-core cable, that will be used for the POP-TOP LEDs when i get round to doing that. . .

for now ill leave the cable up there.

1749887780652.png


this was the old hole, we used the Tigerseal to seal it.

1749887833190.png


luckily there was enough room to get into the rear panel to get at the cables that run down to the MPPT, that behind the fridge. - its 4mm2 all the way back.

1749887899997.png



a quick power-up and we was rocking..

1749887960326.png


260W at that point.

which was 37v @ 7A from the panel,

being converted into 18.7A Bilk charge into the ROAMER lithium. - Nice.

that will do. - it would be nice to see 500W+ from the panel, but for that we will need a low-ish battery and some strong sun.


so untill then this will do.


1749887973008.png



+++++

that's it - as big as you can go un a T6 - currently.

the width is maxed out, but the length? - maybe more?

could we see a 600W panel maybe?



Kit list:

Heat shrink - https://amzn.to/3G3qleu
2core PA speaker flexible cable - https://amzn.to/4l11NBH
crimp tubes - https://amzn.to/4mZUk7S
sticky wire feet - https://amzn.to/4jRudNQ
victron 100/20 BT mppt - Amazon.co.uk
crimper - Amazon.co.uk

.
 
Last edited:
Dellmassive said:
-- Wiring it up --


the panel had the standard 4mm PV cable and MC4 connectors. - i cut the MC4 off.

View attachment 291647


now i much prefer the REAR-JUNCTION-BOX style, but that wasn't an option.

so i wanted to make it as neat as possible.

and definitely didn't want those awful cable gland entry boxes, i loath the look of them.


so i drilled a new hole under the panel.

View attachment 291648


then sealed the cut fibreglass roof holes with a matching grey nail varnish.


the cables tucked neatly under the panel in the low trough,

View attachment 291649View attachment 291650


then used a metal crimp tube to the 4mm flexible twin core id run in.

with some fetching purple adheisive lined heat shrink.

View attachment 291651


and some sticky feet style cable fixings.


View attachment 291652


the cable had a nice wide C shaped loop, to alow the roof to drop without stressing the cable.

then through the old hole into the van.


View attachment 291654


while i was there i added a second twin-core cable, that will be used for the POP-TOP LEDs when i get round to doing that. . .

for now ill leave the cable up there.

View attachment 291655


this was the old hole, we used the Tigerseal to seal it.

View attachment 291656


luckily there was enough room to get into the rear panel to get at the cables that run down to the MPPT, that behind the fridge. - its 4mm2 all the way back.

View attachment 291657



a quick power-up and we was rocking..

View attachment 291658


260W at that point.

which was 37v @ 7A from the panel,

being converted into 18.7A Bilk charge into the ROAMER lithium. - Nice.

that will do. - it would be nice to see 500W+ from the panel, but for that we will need a low-ish battery and some strong sun.


so untill then this will do.


View attachment 291659



+++++

that's it - as big as you can go un a T6 - currently.

the width is maxed out, but the length? - maybe more?

could we see a 600W panel maybe?



Kit list:

Heat shrink - https://amzn.to/3G3qleu
2core PA speaker flexible cable - https://amzn.to/4l11NBH
crimp tubes - https://amzn.to/4mZUk7S
sticky wire feet - https://amzn.to/4jRudNQ
victron 100/20 BT mppt - Amazon.co.uk
crimper - Amazon.co.uk

.
Click to expand...
looks like this panel is maxing out the 100/20 victron mppt.

bit of morning sun. . . .

1749893567453.png



its maxed out at 20A charge rate. . . and only showing 275W


1749893608720.png1749893698053.webp



i think i need a bigger MPPT. . . the 100/30 maybe?
 
  • Like
Reactions: CAB
Dellmassive said:
looks like this panel is maxing out the 100/20 victron mppt.

bit of morning sun. . . .

View attachment 291661



its maxed out at 20A charge rate. . . and only showing 275W


View attachment 291662View attachment 291663



i think i need a bigger MPPT. . . the 100/30 maybe?
Click to expand...




looks like the 100/20 maxes out at 440w

but the 100/50 will go too 700w.



i might to swap oit for the 100/50 maybe?


1749893755250.webp1749893784870.webp1749893792190.webp


..


SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 & 100/50 | Victron Energy

Maximize the energy-harvest, driving it intelligently to achieve full charge in the shortest possible time using the SmartSolar MPPT. Learn more now.
www.victronenergy.com www.victronenergy.com



.
 
Currently getting the bus to a test.

Looks like 280w is the max I'm gonna get with this mppt.

Was getting 20A of the solar and 30A of the engine dc-dc.

50A going into the battery...... Sweet.


.

20250614_151251.jpgScreenshot_20250614_131615_VRM.jpgScreenshot_20250614_111630.jpg

.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: CAB
BoroBoy said:
You should have enough power to run 2 beer machines 24/7.
Click to expand...
Yes, possibly...... If the sun is shining.

Victron 100/50 - 0rdered

But think I might need a bigger feed for the mppt now. Prob 25mm2 or larger

I'll have to check.

Edit:

Just checked , the terminals are for a 16mm2 cable max.

But I think I would prefer to run a 25mm2 cable and downsize at the mppt with a busbar, or fuse holder.

Or just use a 25mm2 crimp pin.

.


Screenshot_20250615_073822_Chrome.webpScreenshot_20250615_073830_Chrome.webp


.
 
Last edited:
50A EHU mains charger ordered.

Victron IP43 50A 1+1. (For the Cerbo integration)

That's 50A for the leisure battery bank and 4A trickle charge for the starter.

Can be used as a PSU and has BT and profile edit so can be limited for lower charge rates.

.

Screenshot_20250621_074608_eBay.webpScreenshot_20250621_074638_Chrome.webpScreenshot_20250621_074651_Chrome.webp

.
 
700w MPPT ordered.. -- Victron 100/50

***

I've maxed out the 100/20 with this new 530W solar panel.

And the 100/30 mppt is 400w odd max.

So I need to go the the next level to get the full potential out of this 530W panel.

That means the night Victron 100/50 mppt.

I've already got a couple of 100/30s which are perfect for the 400w portable solar suitcases.

But for this 530w panel we need bigger.

This campervan project seems to be getting more and more extreme in regards to the power side....lol.

#GoBigOrGoHome right....


:mexican wave:


This is what we have....


.

Screenshot_20250621_075242_eBay.webpScreenshot_20250621_075305_eBay.webpScreenshot_20250621_075309_eBay.webp

.
 
The van done great at camper jam getting us through the weekend with 4% battery remaining at the end



Just an update..

The 50A EHU charger is in
The 50A MPPT is in.
The Roamer 230sb is delayed..... Boo.

.

But the van is in the VW garage getting the EGR cooler fitted.... They've had it a week now, but hopefully should get it back tomorrow.

Then on with the upgrades before T6FORUM Summer Camp.


.
 
Dellmassive said:
The van done great at camper jam getting us through the weekend with 4% battery remaining at the end



Just an update..

The 50A EHU charger is in
The 50A MPPT is in.
The Roamer 230sb is delayed..... Boo.

.

But the van is in the VW garage getting the EGR cooler fitted.... They've had it a week now, but hopefully should get it back tomorrow.

Then on with the upgrades before T6FORUM Summer Camp.


.
Click to expand...
Have you got a spare 100/30 mppt you don't need? Just thinking of your bank balance!
 
Dellmassive said:
The van done great at camper jam getting us through the weekend with 4% battery remaining at the end



Just an update..

The 50A EHU charger is in
The 50A MPPT is in.
The Roamer 230sb is delayed..... Boo.

.

But the van is in the VW garage getting the EGR cooler fitted.... They've had it a week now, but hopefully should get it back tomorrow.

Then on with the upgrades before T6FORUM Summer Camp.


.
Click to expand...
Don’t you already have a 230 Roamer Lee? Or is that in the other van?
 
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