How to Install Solar Panels - Budget Van Build Ep 10
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- čas přidán 11. 05. 2023
- It's time to install the new solar panels on our budget camper van build.
We show you how to fit Renogy Solar panels direct to the roof of your van.
If you would like to purchase any of the products shown in this video here are the links you need:-
Renogy 175W Solar Panels www.ebay.co.uk/str/renogysola...
Solar Panel Mounting Brackets www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1249727287...
Renogy DC to DC charger with built-in MPPT www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1251190382...
MC4 Y Branch Connectors, Cables & Fuses www.ebay.co.uk/str/renogysola...
Dewalt 18v Drill www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_fr...
Sikaflex 522 adhesive sealant www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_fr...
Sikaflex EBT+ Black Adhesive Sealant www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_fr...
Disclosure - As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase using the above affiliate link. Thank you for supporting our channel.
Mule Vans Roof Bracket & Website link
mulevans.co.uk/products/roof-...
Please do consider subscribing to the channel, it's FREE, and set up notifications so you don't miss the next videos in this series.
If you would like to say thank you with a small donation please do so here www.paypal.me/gregvirgoe
Thank you very much for watching
Best wishes
Greg & Lou
#renogysolarpanels #fiatducatocamper #selfbuildcamper #vanlife - Jak na to + styl
PLEASE READ THESE NOTES BEFORE COMMENTING
1. I put electrical tape on the ends of the cables so they would not touch anything metal as they were threaded through the van. It’s best to leave a panel disconnected to make sure there are no short circuits while running cables.
2. The gland box was deliberately placed that way round to avoid cables hanging in mid air over the back of the van. They do not leak this way around if you tighten the glands around the cables.
I will add to this thread if I continue to get repeat questions. Thank you 🙏🏼
Greg any particular reason for using sikaflex EBT on the gland box? Would Silaflex 522 be okay?
@@darrensmith403 only because it was black and I had it already. I wanted the black to match the gland box.
@@GregVirgoe perfect. I have plenty of sikaflex 522 so I’ll just use that. Thanks mate
Wd 40 sprayed onto hole saw keeps temperature down an gives nice clean cut
Not even 5 seconds in and I know I can press 'Like' on every video Greg does!!!
Thats brillaint, thank you for such great support
Best videos in perfect time.
Thank you Greg.🎉
Very informative,big help for many people in van life.
Always useful, master
Brilliant video. Thanks for all the detailed tips 👍🏻🙏🏻
Well done, another great vlog. Just what everyone needs, definitely great references, thank you
You are so good at explaining your thought processes. Invaluable resource this series!
Good info- thank you ! ! !
Another fantastic video in detail and very well presented. It's given me the confidence to fit panels should I ever need to. I would have absolutely no problems buying a nav that you have built. Keep these coming Gregg. Absolutely loving them. Paul and jilly
Brilliant as always Greg.
Thank you 🙏🏼
Really nice job, and a very helpful video!
Fantastic video. So in-depth. Great viewing. Love this
Thank you Robert 😊
Thank you for your effort Greg!
You’re welcome 👍🏼😃
Absolutely loving the regular updates! As always, superbly presented in a clear understandable manner.
Many thanks for your feedback 😊
Hi Greg, wonderful & helpful video, many thanks for taking the time to explore, share, & explain your knowledge and findings. All the very best.
Hi Greg, loving the new video's.
Very instructive . No blaring music. Simple quiet and educational. Thanks
Really appreciate your feedback. Glad you liked it. 👍🏼😃
Thank you for this video, I am also fitting out my van and you answered all my questions. Bob Australia.
These have been the best instrumental videos I’ve watched on a van conversion.
A nice simple step by step guide with just the right amount of detail and helpful tips that come from experience.
Thank you 🙏 awesome job
Nicely presented and detailed. Thank you. Subscribed and liked.
Hey Greg. Love your videos. I really want to do a van conversion but I’m really apprehensive but watching you explain everything make me want to just do it. Thank you so much!
Well explained and laid out.
Thank you 🙏🏼
Great presentation, Prof. V👍🏻
Many thanks Don 😊
Great vid as always Greg
Thank you Pete 😊
Great video, love the explanation and great detail you go through everything at
I’m glad you are enjoying the series 😊
Very thorough and a clever guy
Thank you Tony, much appreciated
Another great video Greg cheers👌.
Thank you 🙏🏼
That’s mint mate all clear in my mind can’t wait for next video
Thank you Peter 😊
Another fantastic video very educational 👍
Thank you very much Gary
It is always a pleasure to look to your videos. So does this one. Thank you for sharing your information
Thank you for being so kind. It was great to read your comment 🤩
i would definately be happy to buy any van you converted, you are so thorough!
Great info again mate 👍👍👍
Thank you 🙏🏼
Coffee, biscuits and a Greg Virgoe video, thanks!
Perfect morning break 👍🏼 thanks for watching
Brilliant job of explaining your installation. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Glad you liked it 😊
Great video Greg
Your clear, succinct info and calm, soothing delivery make me think I can do anything; thank you!
Just take your time and I’m sure you can achieve this no problem 😊👍🏼
Great video Greg, top quality work as always 👌👌👌👌
Thank you very much Kelly
Great vlog 👍 thanks
Thank you both 😊
Perfectly explained, patient, and through, you’re an excellent teacher. Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to give such nice feedback. Best wishes 😃👍🏼
Nice and clear information again. Thanks for your time. Cheers. Jim
Thank you for taking the time to leave me a nice comment that really does help me 😃👍🏼
Very nice work Greg 👍
Many thanks Andre 😊
You make everything look easy. 👍🏻 nice job as always.
yes he does
Thank you very much 😊
Nice neat install 👍
Thank you 🙏🏼
Greg , you're simply the best . Take care .
Cheers 🍻 Paul and you too 👍🏼😃
Good on you once again. Love watching your videos 👍
Thank you very much 👍🏼😃
Really good job!!!!!! I use solar panels but have no clue to mount them. I just sit them up there and remove then when I am done. Wish I had this skill.
What a lovely unfussy clear video. I am going to fit a solar panel to a very old 1992 C15 Nu Venture 'Minibago'. Thank you very much. You have inspired me. Paulus.
Great video!
Thank you 🙏🏼
Great videos and great video series Greg! It’s nice to have some content out their for new builders from people who really think their conversions through!
Hopefully it will give some sound advice to anyone who needs help to achieve their dreams.
Thanks very much for the information
You are welcome 🙏🏼
Fantastic video as always. I am thinking of putting solar panels on my van.
I'm much happier to do myself.
Thanks Greg
Awesome video.
Thank you 🙏🏼
I am in Western Australia, just discovered Greg while looking through other van builds! I am taken straight away by his quiet friendly instructive manner ! I am building a Ford Transit campervan , but as it was 37 degrees centigrade ( 102 Fahr) outside this afternoon I was happy to to sit indoors in the Air/con & learn about installing the Maxair roof vent/ Fan which will certainly be my choice when the time comes ! Looking forward to watching all your other helpful videos as I tackle each procedure! Cheers Mate!
Mate this is super helpful. I've just bought a relay. So your series has been a massive help. Thanks.
Brilliant 🤩 good luck with your build mate 👍🏼
Just been out and bought our van.. Citroen Relay LWB high roof with side windows already as it's a crew can... watched all your other videos and look forward to the next ones.. can't wait to start our conversion, in the planning stage and layout stage now...
good video thank you!
its like a science lesson that people enjoy..
This retired science teacher would have to agree👍🏻
I’m glad you are enjoying the facts 👍🏼😃
Thanks Greg 👍👍
You’re welcome 😊
Another super helpful video in this series Greg and very similar setup to what I’ve gone for so even more helpful to me, I’ve fixed my solar panels on via a homemade unistrut roof rack using the “Mule” brackets. Can’t wait to see what’s next 👍🏻
I wanted these to sit lower to the roof more stealth and obviously to keep the costs down too
Hi Greg. Hello from Tennessee. Thanks for this video. I think the information was very well presented and I plan to watch more of your videos as I begin work on our van.
Thank you so much for taking the time to send me a great comment. I hope you find lots of useful info in these videos and wish you the best with your own build. 👍🏼😊
Another excellent video, thank you 😊 I'd love to do my own conversion but don't have the space to do it 😢 I'll live my dream through your content
I always recommend a step drill bit for any kinda of hole, it can do small to large holes with ease .
brilliant video so well done so we all understand thanks g v
That’s great 😃 thank you 🙏🏼
Great video again for the ill informed - the reason I like this series is you explain the why in a manner I can understand
Thanks
That’s great 😃 I’m glad you’re enjoying the pace of these videos 👍🏼😃
You can always use a bit of locktite on the nuts. Love the channel
Another brilliant video Greg. The electric/solar is one of the scariest parts of my future build but you have made that nice and simple to understand. I’m not too scared to try it now and my bro is an electrician so I can double check it with him. The tip of red tape on the positive is such a simply yet perfect suggestion. Thank you.
It’s the little things that make it easier later on. Hope all goes well for you 😊
I feel now enlightened by your install, and all the knowledge 😄 I can see you also taped the ends of the wires 🙂
I should have made a point of mentioning it in the video so I do get the few health and safety comments are good advice 😊
Greg, Just thought I'd message to show my appreciation of your work. I watch a fair few CZcams channels and have to say your calm steady manner in which you explain and demonstrate fitting of items is first class. Thank you for all the effort you put in to help the wider community.
Thank you for taking the time to leave me a nice comment. I really do appreciate it 👍🏼😃
We are planning to build our own campervan as well. We have no experience. So therefore your video's are very helpful to us! They are very clear, like a step by step manual. Thanks for that Greg! Greetings from the Netherlands.
That’s awesome 🤩 nice to see you here and I’m really pleased you are enjoying this series 👍🏼
Another great video Greg, well done. Looking forward to spending some quality time together tonight in Clacton. Love to Lou.
I’m pressing the white suit and polishing my medallion as we speak 😂🎉😊
Hi Greg! I've no better words to rate your job, this series is absolutely amazing. The best online! You have no competitors! Clear, precise, safe, scientific explained! I'll start my conversion soon on a Ducato base and surely follow your instructions from zero!
Greetings from Verona (Italy)
Oh what a lovely city Verona. WD have visited a couple of times and been to see the opera there at the amphitheater. Amazing place. Thank you for a great comment. 🤩
@@GregVirgoeI
Good teaching videos Greg, i did my van 2009 whish these videos where arond then good job mate.
Cheers Tony Brisbane Australia
Amazing to see that my videos are being watched on the other side of the world. Really appreciate your support
Honestly I'm LOVING this build series, the fact it's a budget idea is very apt in the current world eh. Brilliant, thank you.
Absolutely. Many people including my own kids are struggling with housing costs and this really is a viable alternative to live an independent life with less bills and stress. I hope it will help many in similar circumstances 😊
Good jobs going on there Greg very informative for those who are converting or thinking of converting a van. Keep it going it's nice to watch and if you sell the van the buyer will know exactly what went into the build. A no brainer if that's actually a word. All the best Sean 👍🏻
Yes it will be like a complete build manual for the new owners. 😎👍🏼
Thanks for this video mate I’m doing my first build now was never into all the new faff of solar etc but now I’m more into it all the off grid videos and stuff are great help for the wiring going to be going with the exact same kit pretty much
This is a really versatile setup. Thanks for watching.
good job
Thank you 🙏🏼
Another great video now looking forward to electrical
Thank you Steve 😊
I’m just starting my self build. I’ve just bought a Citroen relay, LWB, H3L2. I previously had a Talbot Express 5 birth which I’ve now sold. These videos are great and I’m going to follow along to get my build done. Thanks for all your efforts, it’s because of people like yourself it gives confidence to first timers like me. I’d have never have started a project like this if not for your videos. 🙏🏻
That’s brilliant 🤩 I hope there is plenty of good tips to make your job much easier. Please do tag me in any posts on social media so I can follow your progress. Hope all goes well 👍🏼😃
@@GregVirgoe Thanks Greg I will do you are a true gent.
If you want extra panels Ona roof use some long drawer slides to position one over the other with locking catches and a length of wire. Use one for full time use and pull the other out when you need it.
That’s an interesting idea 💡😃
Cheers greg could you recommend a video tutorial please 😃
Would that effect the other panels if one is not being used and in shade?
@@neilkelsey3178 if you wire the two sets of panels in parallel then it would work fine in both positions as the shaded panels would have no affect on the others. 👍🏼😃
@@GregVirgoethis is interesting, do you or anyone reading this comment have a video/photo solution of them being stacked with a drawer style pull out for when using/parked up?
This would be a good solution for us I think as we have the TentBox on the roof too. We have a Caddy Maxi by the way 😅
Thank you, Greg. I am still wearing my 'It will only take half an hour' tee shirt you gave me. Thanks again.
Ah that’s awesome 😊if you’re on social networks please tag me in a photo would like to see that 😃
Bought a Peugeot boxer lwb. I’m following every step of this budget van build and cannot wait for the electrical part which I’m struggling to get my head around. Thanks Greg your channel is a massive help.
I’m sure you’ll find it to be useful 🤩👍🏼
Thank you 👍
You are welcome
I have converted 1 van but want to go bigger and have watched hundreds of videos. Yours is the best. You explain it all in so much detail!. Thank you so much. I cannot wait for the next chapter. This will be so helpful when I get my next van.!
Thank you. I’m glad that you are finding these to be useful 😃👍🏼
I know this is budget, but I like the Renogy Solar Panel Tilt Mount Bracket RV Roof Flat Surface Aluminum Mounting Set..One you can get under them to clean the roof, secondly you can angle the panels to the sun, thirdly you can access connectors easily enough, fourthly maybe easier to swap out panel if it has a problem and lastly easier access to fix a leak if one occurs in one the manufacturers covered bolt holes..So maybe worth the bit extra, even though might not be angle them all fully, due to shadow being cast ..
I have seen some right gunky roofs that you could grow spuds in, not having it on my roof, plus angle and access is a big plus...Love the simple attachment Greg, if you're confident with fixing brackets this way I am, no need for roof rails, but I might drill a small pilot hole then use 522 on a small baton inside to add support..Boss..
Good morning, I hope you're well... I love the videos. Very helpful and informative. Just purchased my van, and your videos are helping me to tackle jobs that I would often get others to do for me.
Would love a couple of grommets if you've still got any going. Will be copying your solar power system installed.
Many thanks. Keep the videos coming.
Ken
Please pm me on social media with contact details. 👍🏼🤩
Another great video Greg verry simple and easy to follow can't wait to see what DC to DC charger you are going to use,I used a vectron in mine but they are expensive.
This electric setup is going to be very versatile and really economical too 👍🏼😃
Great Video again Greg - Almost spat my coffee out when you connected those cables up to pass through the van.- Read your notes below ;-) Good to see this conversion coming along nicely. Going to be really interesting to get your ideas on Leisure & Charging for this van. - Keep up the excellent videos.
I have to make sure to cover every single note and explanation in future, very difficult to do. The electric setup will be really versatile in this one, covered all the bases this time and really cheaply too.
Great videos Greg, well thought out and methodical but not boring,. I got well into SketchUp learning from your first video about that software, would be great to see some more when you get a chance. Your a good lad mate, catch you soon
Thank you 🙏🏼 I will see what I can do 😊
Great video. (Again) A possible advantage of using the Unistrut mounting system is the flexibility it allows if you need or want to fit different size panels in the future. No need to worry about brackets being in the wrong place.
Yes there is that but these should last for years and years 👍🏼😃
Thank you chief... I'm just back tonight from walking & wild camping the West Highland Way in Scotland, the first thing I wanted to do was check in to see your progress with this & you've only gone & done the Solar panel installation, where I had asked you about on a previous video. I seen many Boxer conversions on my travels. Thank you once again Greg man ✊
We both love Scotland, the scenery is stunning and the people so friendly we definitely want to see more in the future 👍🏼🚐
@@GregVirgoe I'm from Ireland & had travelled over, it's stunning there, wish I was back there now lol. You should also check out Ireland & The Wild Atlantic Way from Donegal down to Cork along the West coast, it's regarded as the longest coastal scenic drive in the world.
Another great video Greg. Also if you have a few of those grommets I'd be happy to take a few off you hands.
Pm me a message with contact details 👍🏼😃
Greg, I have watched all of your videos. You do a fantastic job, very thorough with great detail. I just received my 2022 144 4x4 sprinter Jan 1 after a 8 month order delay. It’s in the shop and has 150 miles on the clock. I am following your lead and advise on all aspects. I am also an engineer of many years. You have made my life/job much easier. Planning on shipping to Southampton early 2025 from Oklahoma. Look forward to one day buying you dinner and a pint. Thanks again for all you do. Remarkable just remarkable. Kevin
That’s exciting 🎉I would love a new sprinter to convert for ourselves. One day that may happen. I’m glad you found the channel and wish you every success with your own build. 😊
Thanks again for all you do! It is greatly appreciated. K
Excellent video Greg, as usual. Didn’t realise you were building another van! Will have to find part one and catch up.
If you have a couple of those grommets it would be appreciated mate.
Keep up the good work!
There is a video link to the full series at the end of each video on the final end screen. PM me on social media with your details and I’ll pop some in the post to you. 😊
Thanks for another informative video Greg. Invariably there will be a lot of vibration of the solar panels and the nuts securing the solar panel to the bracket may loosen. If you haven't got nylon insert nuts as you suggested, a couple of drops of locktite threadlocker on the bolt should prevent vibrational loosening. Or you could use a second nut as a jam nut to prevent loosing. Looking forward to the next video.
They have spring washers and I don’t expect there to be any issues. Thanks
Apologies for my momentary satisfaction when your hole drill went berserk ! That stuff always happens to me ! Good to show you're only human Greg, another cracking video mate.
Shit happens 😊so it was worth keeping in 😊
I would love to have some of those rubber grommets for my van build if you weren't so far away in UK, i live in the US. Thank you for all the teaching 🙏
Contact me by pm on socials or by email and see what I can do 👍🏼😊
Hi Greg. As usual a well put together video and a clear explanation for those new to these things. Just one point I'd like to mention. You indicated that you would tidy the cables on the roof with sticky bases. I too use these all of the time but have learned not to trust the adhesive. Normally I would back it up with a screw or if this wasn't appropriate then remove the adhesive and use Sikaflex for piece of mind. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more tutorials
Yes some of them can be rubbish. I found it makes a big difference of the surface is very clean 😊
fit my panel this morning before watching you this evening almost the same put my panels left and right so i could use all the wholes in the brackets I enjoy watching this build and nothing scary this time lol
After I did it I thought I could have fitted the brackets to the end of the panels and possibly done the same. 👍🏼😃
@@GregVirgoe you could fit an extra bracket if you think it needs it or just for peace of mind