Monty the Red Campervan

[67westy]

Hi Mike, just had another thought on a simple change for when you are off grid. Swapping the light bulbs in the westy interior light saves quite a bit of power. We have two of them and when they were both on it pulled 3.88a swapping to LED versions dropped it to 0.55a

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Adam, you’re right, and I did this in 2015. [emoji1690]

I changed the three table light bulbs and cab interior light from 10 watts trad style, to 1 watt LED. [emoji3]

I had a feeling you might have done

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[mike202]

Finished the fixed solar panel install. I decided to go for this option as I don’t use the roof rack for anything else so a panel mounted there is no problem for me. I went for a 100watt mono crystalline panel from photonics universe and a Victron charge controller that has Bluetooth so you can easily see how much the panel is doing.
I used 14mm p clips to mount the panel to the roof bars. I had to re-profile some of the bars to make the panel sit level over them and re rivet them on.
I used 6mm cable to go from the charge controller to LB. I had some spare from the fridge install.
I didn’t want to drill the roof so the wires from the panel are routed through the pop top canvas and between the double roof panels through a factory hole at the back and then into the back locker, where the Victron unit is. Went on a test drive in the afternoon sunshine and was getting 20 watts or more as you can see on the screenshot from my phone.
Thanks to Adam 67Westy for the advice.

 

[mike202]

I refurbed all the rack fixings as they were looking a bit tired after 50 years. [emoji38]
I used rubber bungs from eBay size 31 at the back with some sikaflex to ensure no rainwater leaks.

 

[fallingoffalot]

Very impressive, I love the solar panels! I was thinking of doing something similar, but I have a tin top. Guess I could easily fit a similar roof rack.

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[mike202]

Thanks for the comment. I got it because of the fridge. [emoji3]


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[lemur]

Top job Mike, a very neat install.. free power!
L

 

[mike202]

Top job Mike, a very neat install.. free power!
L

Thanks Liam, I hope we can get away before the end of the season to use it!

 

[Dirty Harry]

Very nice install, best place for the panel and nice out of the airstream when driving!

 

[Bluesnailman]

Good piece of work as ever. Like it!

 

[67westy]

Looking good Mike, you should see those numbers jump up when the sun comes back next year

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[mike202]

thanks for comments guys

I hope we can get away for one more trip this season, but time is marching on!

 

[matty74]

Looking good Mike, top job [emoji106]


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[matty74]

Great to meet Monty today Mike ... what a coincidence [emoji1787]


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[mike202]

Nice to bump into you today at Southwaite services! See no buses for ages then two come along at once! [emoji23]

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[mike202]

Put some proper plug lead holders in place, that hold them but keep them apart. I suppose a current could be induced if they are too close together.

I also re routed the incoming wires on the LHS around the outside of the carb rather than between the carb and fan shroud. The wires interfered with a lever on the lower part of the carb, maybe called the accelerator valve ? (Edit it maybe called the pump actually)
I just have the hard fuel line coming through there now which doesn’t foul anything.

Since I added the solar panel, I have quite a few wires leading to the LB terminals. There is also the split charger, webasto heater, auxiliary fuse box (for radio and fridge etc), and CTEK lead.
On the neg terminal similar and also the fridge earth lead which I decided was better option for the fridge than just earthing to the body of the van.
So I bought some new terminals off eBay

 

[mike202]

Having some problems posting pics with new privacy settings on my iPad [emoji57]

There it is!

Makes it easier adding different wires instead of stacking them up on just one terminal. [emoji851]

 

[mike202]

Sunny afternoon for a picnic [emoji3473]

Derwent Reservoir, County Durham.

 

[matty74]

Great pics Mike, looks like the weather was kind [emoji106]


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[mike202]

Thanks Matty. Yes good weather on Sunday, it was great to get out in Monty for a spin. [emoji3]


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[gninnam]

Loverly pics and liking the mods to the battery terminals - great idea.
Plus, the solar panel install looks very professional