The Big Lorry to Camper Conversion

[TheBig1]

I fit solar panels with 50mm aluminium angle down the long sides and self tappers holding the panels to the mounts. The mounts bonded down with sikaflex wont move. If done right, you will get no lift under the panels and you need the airspace to dissipate the heat generated by the sun on a black glass panel

 

[bigtwin]

I wasn't necessarily thinking for aerodynamics. Just thought it would prevent air from getting under the solar panel and stop it from lifting?

Or is that what you're sayin and i haven't understood?

You haven’t misunderstood. My original comment was aimed at the ‘air dams’ rather than the smooth panel mount/edges.

Ian

 

[Two on Tour]

If they work for you, stick with it.

Do you have the videos still?

Ian

Videos are lurking on a memory card somewhere if I can be bother to go through them.

Some of these big name seem to think vortex generators work.

 

[MANGOFORTH]

Votex generator? This little triangle bits?

 

[bigtwin]

Some of these big name seem to think vortex generators work.

Every little helps ?

Ian

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Two on Tour]

Every little helps ?

Ian

It does indeed.

 

[Two on Tour]

Votex generator? This little triangle bits?

Yup, I used a different manufacturer than the one in the website link due to cost, but this gives you an idea too what they are all about

Air Tab | Transport Equipment Innovations

transportequipment.co.uk

 

[tonyidle]

I wasn't necessarily thinking for aerodynamics. Just thought it would prevent air from getting under the solar panel and stop it from lifting?

Or is that what you're sayin and i haven't understood?

I use 2 x 2 x 1/8 aluminium angle along the long sides - not full length but two or three (depending on panel size) decent sections. Costs peanuts compared with ABS mounts and you can choose the footprint you're happy with.

 

[jockaneezer]

Puraflex Pu adhesive from Toolstation is £5.28 a tube and sticks as good as Sikafix. I had to remove a flexible solar panel from my roof a couple of years back that was put on with Puraflex, there was no way it would ever come off of its own accord.

 

[Campervan_man]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=114105076037

3 tubes of sika for £20 on ebay

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[mitzimad]

stixal from toolstation is same as the sika and lots cheaper ive stuck loads of panels with it without problems my sons one is huge 30ws
we just used ally angle to make the brackets

 

[MANGOFORTH]

Thanks for all the replys!! Solar panels will be up hopefully next weekend!

Next question ?

Ventilation..... Ive got two big windows, and two thule omnivents (one with the extraction fan).. Is this enough or is it worth getting some side vents? Or maybe a mushroom vent that vents 24/7?

 

[Campervan_man]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=273408724215

These are a spinning active vent that probably vent more than a static mushroom type vent.
Also consider a 12V fan type skylight as when it's really hot You can suck the hot air out of your van or suck the cold air in. If You are cooking they suck the food smells out as well.

 

[MANGOFORTH]

Also consider a 12V fan type skylight as when it's really hot You can suck the hot air out of your van or suck the cold air in. If You are cooking they suck the food smells out as well.

Check!! Thats the thule Omnivent. We have one regular skylight and one with the extraction fan.

Have got one of the spinning vents you linked to? Concerned about noise ?

 

[Paddywack]

Puraflex Pu adhesive from Toolstation is £5.28 a tube and sticks as good as Sikafix. I had to remove a flexible solar panel from my roof a couple of years back that was put on with Puraflex, there was no way it would ever come off of its own accord.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=114105076037

3 tubes of sika for £20 on ebay

stixal from toolstation is same as the sika and lots cheaper ive stuck loads of panels with it without problems my sons one is huge 30ws
we just used ally angle to make the brackets

There is a reason why airline and yacht manufacturers use Sikaflex and not some cheap version, indeed watch the how a Morello is built video and you'll see boxes of Sikaflex on at least five occasions, if the cheaper stuff was just as good do you not think they would use it and save thousands of pounds a year?

And if you buy cheap off Ebay make sure its still in date. And use the Sikaflex primer.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

O'learys do a Sikaflex type adhesive, I used it for sticking stuff to the roof, such as solar panels, and I can tell you from experience it is an absolute sod to get off (especially when you get blobs in the wrong places 'cause the cartridge gun got too energetic and kept spurting when you stopped!)

 

[tacr2man]

Check!! Thats the thule Omnivent. We have one regular skylight and one with the extraction fan.

Have got one of the spinning vents you linked to? Concerned about noise ?

Sounds like you have enough , dont forget the door

 

[Campervan_man]

I wouldn't bother with ventilation the way the Coronavirus is spreading { ha ha }

 

[MANGOFORTH]

O'learys do a Sikaflex type adhesive, I used it for sticking stuff to the roof, such as solar panels, and I can tell you from experience it is an absolute sod to get off (especially when you get blobs in the wrong places 'cause the cartridge gun got too energetic and kept spurting when you stopped!)

Thats what the pressure release tab at the back is for ?

 

[MANGOFORTH]

Sounds like you have enough , dont forget the door

Yeah im just concerned about when everything is shut up. I can leave the skylights cracked for ventilation, will that be enough?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

Thats what the pressure release tab at the back is for ?

No! Really? Well, I'd never ever have guessed that ....

The problem is that after pressing the trigger sometimes the pressure release tab at the end jams ... I really need a new gun ... might have to drop hints for hubby to get me one for my birthday ... he's bought me chisels and power tools in the past ... and I don't mean irons and washing machines!

 

[Minxy]

Yeah im just concerned about when everything is shut up. I can leave the skylights cracked for ventilation, will that be enough?

I assume you're putting in drop vents? Also you could leave the seal out of one of the roof vents which would allow air ventilation.

 

[tacr2man]

Yeah im just concerned about when everything is shut up. I can leave the skylights cracked for ventilation, will that be enough?

JMHO but yes , especially if one vent set on intake , if we are talking hot day event .

 

[tonyidle]

No! Really? Well, I'd never ever have guessed that ....

The problem is that after pressing the trigger sometimes the pressure release tab at the end jams ... I really need a new gun ... might have to drop hints for hubby to get me one for my birthday ... he's bought me chisels and power tools in the past ... and I don't mean irons and washing machines!

Well ............ when you find one that works, and lasts more than ten minutes, please let me know. I've had half a dozen of the damn things over the years & they've all been rubbish.

 

[MANGOFORTH]

Yes will have drop vents in for sure. Im going all out on safety. Every kind of alarm, fire extinguisher and blanket, escape rope, air rifle, flare, superglue and phone with mum on speed dial!!

I was more thinking condensation that hot weather. If its hot i wont be inside!

Worried about our damp climate and my hot breath. Do not want any condensation or mould. Its my biggest worry.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Next Stop]

Have got one of the spinning vents you linked to? Concerned about noise ?

I installed a similar vent to the toilet room area of my PVC, had to remove due to the constant noise it creates, does a great job at circulating air but way too noisy

 

[jockaneezer]

There is a reason why airline and yacht manufacturers use Sikaflex and not some cheap version, indeed watch the how a Morello is built video and you'll see boxes of Sikaflex on at least five occasions, if the cheaper stuff was just as good do you not think they would use it and save thousands of pounds a year?

And if you buy cheap off Ebay make sure its still in date. And use the Sikaflex primer.

My neighbour prepares the body shells for the racing Bentlys and they use Tigerseal PU adhesive, available from lots of motor factors, half the price of Sika and no evidence of bits flying off at Le Mans, plus we don't know what price the likes of Morello are paying for a tube, it's probably a fraction of what it costs Joe public ?

 

[Minxy]

Yes will have drop vents in for sure. Im going all out on safety. Every kind of alarm, fire extinguisher and blanket, escape rope, air rifle, flare, superglue and phone with mum on speed dial!!

I was more thinking condensation that hot weather. If its hot i wont be inside!

Worried about our damp climate and my hot breath. Do not want any condensation or mould. Its my biggest worry.

You've missed the most important item known to motorhomers ... GAFFER (DUCT) TAPE!

 

[MANGOFORTH]

My neighbour prepares the body shells for the racing Bentlys and they use Tigerseal PU adhesive, available from lots of motor factors, half the price of Sika and no evidence of bits flying off at Le Mans, plus we don't know what price the likes of Morello are paying for a tube, it's probably a fraction of what it costs Joe public ?

Yeah that and they have the same mark up on everything they use so using the expensive stuff means more money. Almost every bodyshop i've worked in does this.

 

[Gromett]

The cost of one or two tubes of Sika are an extremely small part of the build. I will always use Sika because of it's reputation. Saving a few quid on an alternative is a bigger risk than I am prepared to take.
I will always use sika.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}