Show us your solar

[Nelly247#]

I do have a 5g router on all the time with a Tesla sim giving a roaming signal in Uk and abroad. Starlink is often used more as a backup or when wanting better streaming such as to watch F1.

5g router! Did know that was a thing. Is the Tesla SIM a contract or pay as you go?

 

[chimpusmaximus]

The sim is a one off payment, people sell them mainly on eBay. Basically a sim from an older Tesla car and gives unlimited roaming. They not perfect but works for me, I tend to run vpns on my connected devices and that fixes most the issues you can get. If you want a decent data sim that just works then scancom is worth a look. I used to have a 3 sim that worked out under £4 a month for 80gb.

 

[Nelly247#]

The sim is a one off payment, people sell them mainly on eBay. Basically a sim from an older Tesla car and gives unlimited roaming. They not perfect but works for me, I tend to run vpns on my connected devices and that fixes most the issues you can get. If you want a decent data sim that just works then scancom is worth a look. I used to have a 3 sim that worked out under £4 a month for 80gb.

I will definitely look into that. Thanks for the info

 

[BenT5]

200W semi flex, took the barrels out of the gland and attached directly to roof

 

[peteaufc]

200W semi flex, took the barrels out of the gland and attached directly to roof
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Looks good @BenT5 what are the black strips that you have attached on the leading edge of the panel where your ridge are, and where did you get it?

I'm about to bond my 200w panel to my hilo poptop, with 3 strips of 6mm polycarbonate filling the ridge gaps - I was just trying to decide how to seal the leading edge and I like the look/ idea of those strips you've used.

 

[Skyliner33]

Looks good @bent- what are the black strips that you have attached on the leading edge of the panel where your ridge are, and where did you get it?

I'm about to bond my 200w panel to my hilo poptop, with 3 strips of 6mm polycarbonate filling the ridge gaps - I was just trying to decide how to seal the leading edge and I like the look/ idea of those strips you've used.

Interested to see how you routed the wires when you've fitted this. Any reason to put the polycarbonate strips in rather than just leaving them empty for even better airflow?

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

360w victron bad boy

 

[peteaufc]

Interested to see how you routed the wires when you've fitted this. Any reason to put the polycarbonate strips in rather than just leaving them empty for even better airflow?

This is how far I got with the cabling last night.

Scanstrut gland on, 14-15mm diameter hole from hilo poptop into main van area, then cables rooted along soffit to B pillar on drivers side (electrics under drivers seat), but not routed behind pillar yet, because I didn't have the necessary spline bit to get the trim off

I'm waiting for a settled period of dry weather to get the vinyl laid on roof, polycarbonate strips VHB taped down the channels, then sikaflex 554 to stick the panel down.

My thinking with the polycarbonate strips was to give support under the panel at those voids, while still giving some airflow/insulation. I'm hoping that will keep it flatter/minimise flex and give some longevity.

I've not decided exactly how to do my sikaflex bond, but thinking 7 straight lines, 1 down each of the raised roof ridge and 1 down each polycarbonate strip. I'd welcome anyone's thoughts/advice regarding that plan though.

It feels like I'm getting there with the solar install now... (after getting the panel last year and not getting time to fit before we were away in the van for the summer)

Edit - also used some excess vinyl wrap I had to wrap the white edges of the Renogy 200w semi-flexible panel, purely for aesthetics- not sure if that's a great idea or likely to cause any issues with heat or peeling in the future though... (noticed that in my picture after I offered it up to the roof and thought I'd explain!)

 

[Skyliner33]

This is how far I got with the cabling last night.

Scanstrut gland on, 14-15mm diameter hole from hilo poptop into main van area, then cables rooted along soffit to B pillar on drivers side (electrics under drivers seat), but not routed behind pillar yet, because I didn't have the necessary spline bit to get the trim off

I'm waiting for a settled period of dry weather to get the vinyl laid on roof, polycarbonate strips VHB taped down the channels, then sikaflex 554 to stick the panel down.

My thinking with the polycarbonate strips was to give support under the panel at those voids, while still giving some airflow/insulation. I'm hoping that will keep it flatter/minimise flex and give some longevity.

I've not decided exactly how to do my sikaflex bond, but thinking 7 straight lines, 1 down each of the raised roof ridge and 1 down each polycarbonate strip. I'd welcome anyone's thoughts/advice regarding that plan though.

It feels like I'm getting there with the solar install now... (after getting the panel last year and not getting time to fit before we were away in the van for the summer)

Edit - also used some excess vinyl wrap I had to wrap the white edges of the Renogy 200w semi-flexible panel, purely for aesthetics- not sure if that's a great idea or likely to cause any issues with heat or peeling in the future though... (noticed that in my picture after I offered it up to the roof and thought I'd explain!)

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Thanks, thats interesting.

My thoughts about the polycarbonate are that the holes in it are not that big and fairly quickly could end up full of dirt/crap so not cooling as effectively as just left empty with one thick bead of sikaflex.

As you went with a top mounted connection box on the panel, did you not think of routing it how the manufacturers do? Ie down through the roof behind the canvas and then through the "beam" above the canvas?
I have a bit of canvas sewn down the centre of the canvas above the tailgate thats to keep the solar cable tidy. Wondering if you do?
I bought a panel with a rear attachment gland but now wondering if I should get one like yours.

Cheers

 

[peteaufc]

My thoughts about the polycarbonate are that the holes in it are not that big and fairly quickly could end up full of dirt/crap

Suppose I'm thinking that by sealing the leading edge, they're shouldn't be too much stuff gets in there that will stick around. Even with pop top up, anything that does get in should run out with gravity as it'll be slanted downwards.

As you went with a top mounted connection box on the panel, did you not think of routing it how the manufacturers do? Ie down through the roof behind the canvas and then through the "beam" above the canvas?

I ended up going with a similar route (I think) to @Deaky post about fitting solar on a hilo ( Anyone fitted a solar panel to a Hilo roof? )

I'm obviously all in on this way now, so hopefully all good!

Was that the hilo/ horizon manufacturer's that would route it that way, or the way some conversion companies do it? Not seen much about that tbh and did email visiontech to seek advice but got no reply.

I have a bit of canvas sewn down the centre of the canvas above the tailgate thats to keep the solar cable tidy. Wondering if you do?

Don't think I have any extra canvas above the tailgate as you've described, can check when i next have the roof up to finish my cabling.

 

[Skyliner33]

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

Suppose I'm thinking that by sealing the leading edge, they're shouldn't be too much stuff gets in there that will stick around. Even with pop top up, anything that does get in should run out with gravity as it'll be slanted downwards.

I'm torn about sealing the front edge or not. If you do, thee cant be much airflow to cool, especially of pop top is up. On the plus side maybe less stuff will get in. ALthough I just thonght if park nose downhill it could get in from the rear. Hmmm I can't make up my mind which is the best way.

I'm obviously all in on this way now, so hopefully all good!

I'm sure it will be.

Was that the hilo/ horizon manufacturer's that would route it that way, or the way some conversion companies do it? Not seen much about that tbh and did email visiontech to seek advice but got no reply.

Yes, thats how I have seen if routed buy HiLo and now Visiontech. Maybe @Bav can show a photo. I'm wondering if a drill bit can bet through that part when the roof is finished or not. I suppose I will only find out by taking then internal boards off and looking.

Don't think I have any extra canvas above the tailgate as you've described, can check when i next have the roof up to finish my cabling.

Maybe thats one of the changes Horizon have done.