Campervan SOLAR PANEL Install 101
Рет қаралды 14,457
Күн бұрын📢 Get Our Wiring Schematics ➤ freedom-strider.com/project/1...
Mounting our solar panels onto our unistrut for our DIY self-build campervan conversion was a simple task and a very vital one to get our van build electrics working. Since we had our DIY unistrut roof rack rails already mounted, attaching our solar panels was easygoing.
🛠️Van Conversion Layout Planner TEMPLATES ➤ freedom-strider.com/project/s...
📐EXPLORE Vanbuild Resources! ➤ freedom-strider.com/marketplace/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
📝 FREE Van Templates ➤ freedom-strider-ltd.ck.page/free-sprinter-template-l3h2
⚡ Van Electrics 101 Worksheet ➤ freedom-strider-ltd.ck.page/1...
✅ Van Buying Checklist ➤ freedom-strider-ltd.ck.page/b...
🌍 Website www.freedom-strider.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
🔔 Remember to SUBSCRIBE! ➤ bit.ly/FS-Subscribe
SUPPORT FREEDOM STRIDER
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
➤ Buy A Sticker: freedom-strider-ltd.ck.page/p...
➤ Patreon: / freedomstrider
➤ Tip Jar: freedom-strider-ltd.ck.page/p...
➤ PayPal: paypal.me/FreedomStrider
🙂 Special Thanks to our Patreons 🙂
Beglian | Sevdalina P. | Dimitar | Sue Mervis | Irina P. | Frank Bellamy | Soohki & Paul
🛠️🔧 PRODUCT USED IN THIS VIDEO 🔧🛠️
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
--- UK Links --
➤ Our Panels: bit.ly/3ieUwAX
➤ 50A MPPT Solar Charge Controller: amzn.to/37s4mbv
➤ MC4 Connector: ebay.us/fBxaXW
➤ Solar Wire: amzn.to/3yfRJwZ
➤ Wire Crimps/Stripper: amzn.to/3srM7Mm
➤ Solar Gland: amzn.to/3jomwS7
➤ Inline fuse: amzn.to/2OD6gku
➤ Z Brackets: bit.ly/3ieWt0f
➤ Our Toolkit: amzn.to/32ApNDn
➤ Ryobi Drill: amzn.to/3dS5c51
➤ Weatherproofing Tape: amzn.to/2NjF6P1
-- USA Links --
➤ Our Panels: bit.ly/3ieUwAX
➤ 50A MPPT Solar Charge Controller: amzn.to/31ZTIqG
➤ MC4 Connector: ebay.us/iDbcEB
➤ Solar Wire: amzn.to/3zTMx1X
➤ Wire Crimps/Stripper: amzn.to/3ech6qu
➤ Solar Gland: amzn.to/2V78HiF
➤ Inline fuse: amzn.to/3d7WrVu
➤ Z Brackets: bit.ly/3ieWt0f
➤ Our Toolkit: amzn.to/3t7Xvhz
➤ Ryobi Drill: amzn.to/3s95JVj
➤ Weatherproofing Tape: amzn.to/3mzRt6I
*Our 270W Panels are discontinued, the next generation 295W panels are more efficient and almost exactly the same size.
🌎 FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURES 🌍
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Patreon ➤ / freedomstrider
Facebook ➤ / freedom.strider
Twitter ➤ / freedom_strider
Instagram ➤ / freedomstrider
Pinterest ➤ www.pinterest.co.uk/freedom_s...
🔔 SUBSCRIBE! ➤ bit.ly/FS-Subscribe
📧 Contact US ➤ freedom-strider.com/work-with...
(Some of the links above are affiliates - if you choose to click on them you will be taken to the real product at no extra cost to you. We will receive a small portion of the sale to help us keep on creating content for you all)
Freedom Strider assumes no liability for damage, loss or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. This video is for educational purposes only. Use this information at your own risk. Freedom Strider recommends safe practices as implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Freedom Strider, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result.
#vanbuildsolar #vanconversionsolar #vansolarinstall
@vanlifeeats Жыл бұрын
This has been a REALLY useful video for guiding us on mounting not only our solar panels but also for the DIY rails. Purchased from the links and all we need for the rails on a lwb for under £80! Thanks guys x
@FreedomStrider Жыл бұрын
That's awesome guys! 😃
@ScoobieDee 3 жыл бұрын
That’s great guys really detailed 👍
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
@robertoconnor2669 3 жыл бұрын
As always incredible detail.👍
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you 😀
@brynmitchell5774 3 жыл бұрын
Lovin' you two ! great stuff .
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
Cheers 👍
@theoteam4641 3 жыл бұрын
Nice, cant wait for the tilting :-)
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
You and me both! 😊
@steveallen8987 3 жыл бұрын
Hi there guys, before you rush out and try to sort out a panel angling system I would suggest contemplating an alternative. Reflectors placed to reflect light onto the panels so that they can stay flat but still increase power gathering. The video linked to below is very informative but uses rigid reflector panels angled at 45 degrees. I would suggest a more flexible option. The idea is to mount heavy duty thermal blanket Mylar material between two carbon fibre rods measured to match the sides of the solar panels and standing say 50cm high. These fit into mounting brackets fitted with tubes for the rods to slot into. The brackets are positioned so that the rig stands vertically alongside the panel. At any point between sunrise and mid day ( light horizontal or vertical) the rig will reflect light directly at the panel. Mounting brackets could be positioned along all four sides of the panels. So regardless of orientation you can run the system. Erecting and removing the rigs would be a matter of 2 minutes and a step to get you high enough to reach. Two long rigs for mounting on the sides could be supplemented by two shorter rigs if the van was facing into or away from the sun. When removed the rigs could be rolled up like a kite and packed in a protective tube. The only downside would be on a windy day. I would also recommend using rip stop tape to reinforce the Mylar. Obviously some test to confirm whether the system would work should be carried out. Thermal blankets are about £3 on eBay. With you controller app it would be really easy to confirm an improved efficiency. Hope you find this an idea worth investigating. Please feel free to contact me for more information. Steve. Now go watch the video and remember the panels wouldn’t get anywhere near as hot in this country kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pNmXbNGClZmnlHk.html
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
Wow, I've not seen anything like that before - our tilting will not be done in the next few months, so we have time to look into options, this seems quite an interesting one, thanks for showing us! 😊
@steveallen8987 3 жыл бұрын
@@FreedomStrider another advantage of reflectors is that on dark days the will increase gathering because you are effectively increasing the gathering area. Steve
@pavel9652 Жыл бұрын
Tricky and fragile, just get another panel and mount it flat on the roof or use as portable one and deploy when needed. In summer tilted panels produce only 20% more, so it doesn't matter much. It might be worth during the winter or if you go to the far north. In summer panels will overheat because of more surface, so it will shorten lifespan of equipment and reduce it's efficiency, and in winter weather will be bad. They aren't designed to be expanded.
@pavel9652 Жыл бұрын
I have done additional research on this topic recently and at my latitude of around 50-55 degrees north, IE/UK, latitude angle panel vs laying horizontally flat gives: - december and january (2x energy) - november and february (1.6x energy) - march and october (1.3x energy) Unsurprisingly, the most beneficial months are from November to February, and March and October show signs of diminishing returns. There are some methods for estimating the optimum angle of the panel installation for the season. If one has a linear actuator they could optimize the angle on a monthly or even an hourly basis, although this would require at least a good remote. Method one, general - winter, add 15 degrees to your latitude - summer, subtract 15 degrees from your latitude Method two, improved - winter, multiply the latitude by 0.9 and add 29° - summer, multiply the latitude by 0.9 and subtract 23.5° - spring and fall, subtract 2.5° from the latitude
@UrbanVanlife 3 жыл бұрын
great job , and ohhhhh yes yes yes them firmware updates get me as well ,
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
Every. Single. Time. What could possibly need updating?! 🙃
@claycassin8437 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Not what I was hoping for- I am desperately seeking a simple, cost effective, and easy to use way to tilt mount large solar panels(250-350 watt) on my van roof. I already know how to simply mount them flat like you are doing. This video I'm sure is useful for a beginner. Darn! I gave you a like anyway.
@FreedomStrider 2 жыл бұрын
Tilting is something we're planning to do one day, if you're looking for a cheap and quick way to tilt pannels, our friend Niel has a great video here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/buBxqLClzrfUimQ.html I would use some beefier L Brackets than he did, but the concept is simple 🙂
@pavel9652 Жыл бұрын
Are you seeking such solution for sake of maxing efficiency or do you have a legitimate need?
@tine8849 3 жыл бұрын
Nice, I just finished this job last week. If there was ever a job you don't wanna do by yourself when you're afraid of heights and just a little bit incompetent it's this one. 🤣
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
Nice work! And yes, it's not aa job for one afraid of heights and wobbly ladders😜
@OldManandtheSuperC Жыл бұрын
Recommend using Loktite on each bolt/nut connection since your van is a vibration machine
@FreedomStrider Жыл бұрын
Yes, we used blue locktite nearly everywhere, but for some things that should never come off, red locktite is what we've been recommended to use🙂
@ScoobieDee 3 жыл бұрын
Can you send a photo of the van side profile from the ground looking up . I was looking to get a 140 cm panel so it does not over lap the curved part on the van roof - more discreet. May consider the ones you have though !
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
Sure can do, we'll send them via Instagram, our pannels are 1482mm wide, they barely overhang the unistrut and the van is wider lower down :)
@tantryl 3 жыл бұрын
In my planning phase and "how efficiently does it fit the roof and expected mount locations?" is way more important to me than pretty much any other aspect of the panel. Great to see this video, I started following this channel because of the practical looking DIY roof mounts from about a year back. Is it just me or is Polly's accent gotten more Brit? Not strongly but just a bit more Brit here and there.
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
Wow it has been a year since we put the unistrut up - I'm glad you are still here 😂. Now all we have to do is cook up the DIY roof rack... up for another year? As for the accent... who knows 😄... Personally I can't hear it. When I hear it on video (to my ears) I sound just like Sam... But apparently not 😂
@ivecamperbuild_thomas4084 3 жыл бұрын
I have sent you a few photos on my solar panels raised and turned
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
Cheers, looking now
@kaymarpee 3 жыл бұрын
What is the purpose of the "spring" washer? About to mount our panels!!
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
the 'spring' washer (at 2:56) - it's purpose... when you tighten the bolt, the washer, compresses down and helps the bolt lock into place and stops it from unthreading. Add some threadlocker if possible as well: ebay.us/j7jN9i
@23kid 2 жыл бұрын
Hello. Are you able to advise what you are screwing the bolt into when attaching the panels to the strut? It looks like you have square nuts?
@FreedomStrider 2 жыл бұрын
The bolts are being screwed into spring channel nuts: directchannel.uk.com/m6-short-spring-channel-nuts-x-100 They are specific to unistrut channels, you slot them in the channel and you thread the bolt (best use thread locker as well). The beefy square on top is to give the bolt something to push against and to spread the load
@23kid 2 жыл бұрын
@@FreedomStrider thank you so much! Appreciate you taking time to reply. Your videos have been so helpful!
@aerobic247 3 жыл бұрын
is there any reason you are not using an MC4 fuse at the solar panel? if that positive cable gets damaged and comes in contact with the metal of the van the fuse at the MPPT isn't going to do anything
@FreedomStrider 3 жыл бұрын
Because I didn't know MC4 fuses existed until just now - though our positive cable is completely surrounded in plastic and fabric (except on the outside) so even if it does rub, it shouldn't shortcut to the van metal. Though those MC4 fuses look pretty good. 👍
@heatherm4276 2 жыл бұрын
I would love to know what your panels dimensions (from the panels in this vid) and you roof dimensions (is this a 2021 sprinter?), the link takes you to a new 295w panel. I am not sure if your panels are the same dimensions. Great job and hopefully you got the tilt completed!
@FreedomStrider 2 жыл бұрын
Yes the new 295W panels are the same size as our 270W panels (the 295W ones are just more efficient, the next generation) Our van is a 2014 VW Crafter LWB (L3H2) but the roof is the same as a 2021 Mercedes Sprinter LWB. Our roof is roughly 4.16m long, and 1.39m wide (1.39m up to the outer of our unistrut). The 2 solar panels take up nearly 1/2 the roof. The panels do stick out beyond 1.39m but because the curvature of the van, it doesn't look like it. 👌 If you do need more detailed measurements you can check out our layout planner me made which gives every single measurement of our sized van: www.freedom-strider.com/van-build-shop/templates-and-blueprints/sprinter-van-conversion-layout-planner/
@heatherm4276 2 жыл бұрын
@@FreedomStrider thanks so much for the fast response! I have a 2022 sprinter 170wb. I think I can fit 2 of these between the MAXX fan and my AC unit. Thanks for the link and the info!
@studiomanagement4862 2 жыл бұрын
what Mppt have you for your 540watts of solar?
@FreedomStrider 2 жыл бұрын
We used a 50A Victron MPPT - amzn.to/37s4mbv At max input, it shouldn't pass 45A, it's been amazing so far, definitely recommend! The Bluetooth connection is handy too 👍
@pavel9652 Жыл бұрын
It wasn't finest day for your father at 05:30, I must admit. He handled the panel the other way around, put in on the concrete, leaving small marks and scratches, then walked around to grab it again, instead of just rotating with the panel, and then handed it to you upside down... It hurts my brain. All the blankets and cardboard boxes protection for nothing ;)
@FreedomStrider Жыл бұрын
Well to be fair to my dad, he was following our instructions 😅. We all learnt on the second panel.
Freedom Strider
Рет қаралды 3,6 М.
The Whole World or Nothing
Рет қаралды 48 М.
Self Built Stories
Рет қаралды 73 М.
Minivan Camper Gal
Рет қаралды 27 М.
EXPLORIST life Mobile Marine & Off-Grid Electrical
Рет қаралды 77 М.