Some photos

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Some photos

gst · Senior Member

Looks good it will do the job so happy travelling

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Nice unit there Elle, but I would look into the fact that the panels are stuck on the roof, I think I have heard that there should be a gap under the panels, not being an electriction I do not know for sure, perhaps put a question on the techie page, I'm sure you will get the correct advice there.

Elle I'm back, just found this

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t42577057/solar-panel-fault/

Have a look at the last two comments about sticking the panel on the roof

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Sunday 15th of January 2012 09:14:52 AM

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Thanks wombat not much I can do about it now and just have to ope for the best but I will ensure the ute panel is fixed properly.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Elle on Wheels wrote:
Thanks wombat not much I can do about it now and just have to ope for the best but I will ensure the ute panel is fixed properly.

why can't you take it back to the place that fitted them and ask that they be fixed, after all they have installed them the wrong way

here's some pics of mollie for you

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=mollie+sugden&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=O1v&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=bTYST8-CH8KziQeo1LQw&ved=0CEAQsAQ&biw=1673&bih=730&sei=7TYST9DPCKeSiAe39YBD

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Sunday 15th of January 2012 01:19:28 PM

Elle on Wheels · Guru

According to the autoelectrician it would take a bomb to move the panels - he used marine grade sikafix - and he said it would be impossible to detach them. He's just had the van for 5 weeks. Anyway I guess I will ask him what can be done. I'm hoping the only consequence will be some minor inefficiency

Cruising Granny · Guru

It is removable with a blade and turps, but it will take time. Serves him right for doing it wrong in the first place.
A bloke with his credentials should know how to fix solar panels to a caravan roof. Nag him until it's done right. It's your money honey, and your van, and your solar panels, and you trusted him to do the job right, and he didn't. So nag until it's done right.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Phone the ACCC 1300 302 502 and they will advise you how to go about getting them fixed, the panels may not work as well as they should and as CG said "It's your money honey, and your van, and your solar panels, and you trusted him to do the job right, and he didn't. So nag until it's done right."

Evie n Rhys · Senior Member

Looks great Elle, how exciting. I know how it feels. So much you want to do but where to start????
Have fun.
Tess

DeBe · Guru

Something glued on with Sikaflex is relatively easy to remove. This is an old bone handle knife modified & very sharp & quite flexible. I use this for removing stuf glued on with sikaflex. The point is ground flat & sharp so it can be pushed in then its just a matter of sliding knife along to cut the sikaflex.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Your photos Elle remind me of the definition of a holiday: "Driving 3000kms to take a photo of yourself with the car".

Persist with the nagging to remove the solar panels.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

But Granny I only drove 400km and that's because I'm putting the van in for a new poptop skirt, the last of the major work. Also I bought a new camera and have only just worked out how to make it compatible with the laptop.... couldn't do anything with the desktop at home for some reason. So this is a big occasion for me, 1st photos and a week in the van.

And as soon as I get back to Denmark I will get the autoelectrician to mount the panels properly. He did everything else correctly. I just don't want it sitting in his shop for another 5 weeks while priority goes to fire trucks and rural emergency jobs.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

does anybody know what will happen if the panel's are left as they are, stuck flat on the roof, perhaps you could put the question on the thechie section, or maybe ask why do you need to have a gap under the panel's

I your electriction does emergency vechile's in a country area like Denmark then you may have to wait in line for your job to get done, as you have in the past.

blaze · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
does anybody know what will happen if the panel's are left as they are, stuck flat on the roof, perhaps you could put the question on the thechie section, or maybe ask why do you need to have a gap under the panel's
I your electriction does emergency vechile's in a country area like Denmark then you may have to wait in line for your job to get done, as you have in the past.

I was told by my solar panel supplier that they need a minimun of 10mm gap so they cool, appently gets quite warm under them. Not sure wether the heat only affects the charge rate or wether it has other effects.

cheers

blaze

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

thanks blaze, I knew somebody here would be able to explain it.

DeBe · Guru

Not only will the panels get hot, but if there is ever a problem with the conections underneath due to traped condensation how will you get to them?

beiffe · Guru

Also there is a possibility of the heat effecting the top of the van.

I would assume it is a fabric cover or similar top and the heat that can be quite hot would degrade it in a short time. Then if any water gets under the panels it will seep into the wood and then the van.

The heat of the panels would be transmitted into the interior of the van. Not sure if you were looking for a heater to add to the interior temperature in the summer.

I prefer the pannels to be mounted on a ali frame with bolts securing the panel to the frame so it can be lifted to allow work on connections etc as well as to clean underneath every now and again. Solar Panels at Rear 0381 small.jpg Solar panel pivot showing leg 0380 small.jpg

These two photos show some of my panels and even though more than you would have the idea is the same.

The first photos shows the mounting frame and the panels that are built into another frame that is bolted along the length when mobile but can be pivoted from each end when needed. Also the leg for safety can be seen folded back.

The second photo show one of the legs that when mobile are bolted alongside and hidden with the panels but when needed can hold up either end of the panels and I can crawl under the length of the panels. The bolts are held by blind nuts that your service man should have. The angle is 75 x 25 and held with a bead of sikaflex the thickness of a three ply (about 3 mm)

Hope this helps

Brian