What Have You Bought Today?

[Ayjay]

2 x 465w rigid solar panels for my 'soon to be 'Balcony Solar Project'

£84 each delivered by CityPlumbing

View attachment 320439

I'm guessing they must be rigid (instead of flexible) panels but can anybody explain in idiots terms why they are so cheap in comparison to these that we buy for our vans? A case of campervan tax or a good example of 'light, cheap and strong, pick two' perhaps?

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

New side bars.

Despite flooding the insides with various anti rust ungents theyre showing signs of corrosion. My guess is thet the black finish on the outside is slightly porous.

Anyway, stainless replacements on their way.

My black side bars are heading the same way.
What stainless ones have you ordered?

 

[Sackmycook]

I'm guessing they must be rigid (instead of flexible) panels but can anybody explain in idiots terms why they are so cheap in comparison to these that we buy for our vans?

Thread 'Price of solar panels....'

12 Feb 2026

I'm exploring a solar and battery home system with a local company.

I'm getting quoted around £70-£80 per panel. That's a 450w rigid unit, VAT free.

This seems substantially cheaper than ones going on vans ?

Am I missing something ? Is there a difference between panels ?

• Sackmycook
• Replies: 42
• Forum: Electrics, Lighting, ICE, Security

• 

 

[T32Rich]

New side bars.

Despite flooding the insides with various anti rust ungents theyre showing signs of corrosion. My guess is thet the black finish on the outside is slightly porous.

Anyway, stainless replacements on their way.

Mine has Stainless ones fitted (bought it like that & happy with them). After owning for about a week, unlocked it in the dark for the 1st time and discovered they had ground light fitted to the underside, which come on with unlocking or door opening for a short time

 

[Sasquatch]

My black side bars are heading the same way.
What stainless ones have you ordered?

I bought these, Mr S.

VW Transporter T5 & T6 SWB 03+ Stainless Steel Side Bars | Predator4x4

VW Transporter T5 & T6 SWB 2003+ models

www.4x4predator.co.uk

I know the bright finish is out of keeping with the rest of the van, but I'm prepared to forego a bit of black colouring if it doesn't rust.

 

[fax001]

Not bought, but been given. And not today, but yesterday (my birthday). A Nebula Capsule 3. Intended use was for in the van, but I tried it in the house and garden and the whole family were extremely impressed, with lots of talk of al fresco movie nights in the summer.

When using in the van I envisage being seated in the rotated captains chairs, a screen afixed to the rear tailgate and the Nebula mounted to the ceiling. It's a day van without a pop top. Has anyone done anything similar and/or suggestions for a screen (I think about 110cmx70cm) and means of mounting to ceiling. I'd like the mount to be as discrete as possible and imagine will need to be slanted slightly, so wondering about tapering a piece of Hex ply and securing to the ceiling panel with M5 bolts to which the Nebula screws into a 1/4 in thread.

MTIA.

We have a similar set up, but the other way around.
Sit on the rock and roll bed looking forwards. No pop top.
Nebula mounted on the ceiling using a camera bracket.

1/5 X Adjustable CCTV Camera Bracket For Wall Ceiling Mount Stand With Screws | eBay UK

Prevents rust and extends the life of the bracket for durability. 1/5PCS Bracket. Can adjust the monitoring angle up and down. In our working hours will be responsed within 48 Hours.

www.ebay.co.uk

Screen is a folding cloth screen which we rollup on a pole when not in use. Stays attached to the ceiling. Rolls down when in use. Mounted to ceiling just behind the front seats.
Similar to this...

Pardon our interruption...

 

[jimc91]

2 new rear springs, both the previous ones having cracked and picked up on a recent service

 

[NorthSea.T28]

Ovano B pillar swivel table & the switch XL rubber mat. Now I'm just deciding what driver swivel base to go with.

 

[drinfinity]

flooding the insides with various anti rust ungents

Good point, must remember to do mine with my new Lanoguard probe thingy.

 

[Graham Jones]

Nothing very exciting but handy....magnetic lighter holder. .easy to reach when sliding door is open.

 

[DingusOp]

Ovano B pillar swivel table & the switch XL rubber mat. Now I'm just deciding what driver swivel base to go with.

View attachment 320514

View attachment 320515

Love those tables! I’ve been told I’m not allowed to get one…yet.

 

[Bav]

Nothing very exciting but handy....magnetic lighter holder. .easy to reach when sliding door is open.

View attachment 320552

View attachment 320553

More info required!

Do you get an overwhelming urge to smoke a cigarette in the middle of the night? Has your your flamethrower's auto-ignition packed-up? Do tell.

 

[Graham Jones]

More info required!

Do you get an overwhelming urge to smoke a cigarette in the middle of the night? Has your your flamethrower's auto-ignition packed-up? Do tell.

No...gave up smoking many years ago....but it is alot easier to grab the lighter to ignite the stove when outside , instead of having to go back in to get it out of the drawer, especially when my wife is also inside preparing our tucker. Like I said...not very exciting...sorry.

 

[Sasquatch]

More info required!

Do you get an overwhelming urge to smoke a cigarette in the middle of the night? Has your your flamethrower's auto-ignition packed-up? Do tell.

He's a sleepwalking arsonist!

 

[cgtmiles]

I gave up smoking over 20 years ago and my first response whenever I see a lighter is still to pocket it

To ensure there is always one in the van we have one of these

https://amzn.eu/d/0dv4wwdX

Does the job nicely, we do store it in the cutlery drawer though which is a bit annoying so it’s quite a good idea to fix it somewhere more handy

 

[Sackmycook]

Taser ! Taser !

 

[Bav]

No...gave up smoking many years ago....but it is alot easier to grab the lighter to ignite the stove when outside , instead of having to go back in to get it out of the drawer, especially when my wife is also inside preparing our tucker. Like I said...not very exciting...sorry.

And here's me thinking you may need to fend off a dingo or maybe a boomer.

 

[Ayjay]

I've just bought a bottle of Gtechnig Ceramic G Wash from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BJSC6QPN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

It was £20 for 0.5L but I can't complain too much as the last time that I bought it was about 18 months ago and it was the same price. The old bottle has probably got 4 or 5 washes left in it as well.

 

[burnsy79]

A set of these for my Schmoov's, hope they fit

View attachment 317601

Soooooooo, washed and polished the van and went to fit these in place of my Steel Wheel Company ones. Turns out the wheel bolt heads are too small… I’ll need to get bigger wheel bolts. Anyone recommend some? Black would be good too.

 

[Skyliner33]

Soooooooo, washed and polished the van and went to fit these in place of my Steel Wheel Company ones. Turns out the wheel bolt heads are too small… I’ll need to get bigger wheel bolts. Anyone recommend some? Black would be good too.

I believe some folks have put a bit of hose pipe in the sockets on the back of those to reduce tge size so the smaller bolt heads fit.