Solar panels

[Robmac]

It’s not that cold down down here Terry.As far as the lifting goes I am going to have to fit two gas struts to help me lift them. I’ll work it out and find something that will suit. It might be like Jim says 2 long sticks for the winter months and 2 short ones for the summer!!!

Inflatable bag underneath 'em Jeff!

Nice work.

 

[Exwindsurfer]

terry can you get 1in box section telescopic aluminium tubing mate was thinking 7/8in sliding into 1in

 

[Exwindsurfer]

Inflatable bag underneath 'em Jeff!

Nice work.

it wont lift it high enough Rob lolol

 

[Exwindsurfer]

i was thinking of the weight Terry 2 x 1mtr x1in +2 x 7/8 x1mtr if you could get me a price it would be great thank.

 

[Exwindsurfer]

Viagra, if you have any spare, Jeff?

good for stopping you rolling out of bed lol

 

[Exwindsurfer]

We don't stock much alloy section Jeff, but I may be able to source some, would similar slide fit in stainless do? Regardless of matl spec, how long each piece?

The two walking stick my mate machined for me will be good in the summer but not long enough for the winter.

 

[Exwindsurfer]

I'll see what I can nick oops, recycle for you mate.

that would be great terry cheers mate .

 

[Exwindsurfer]

Jeff, another option I just thought about, how about adjustable legs from an old redundant awning, would require cutting down of course?

Have you got some ? If so I’ll give them a try .

 

[saxonborg]

How about telescopic aluminium painting poles, you can get various lengths and also fibreglass versions and you can set them at any length you want.

 

[saxonborg]

Do you use primer and activator with the Sikaflex, if not what do you use to prepare the surfaces to be stuck?

 

[nabsim]

The two walking stick my mate machined for me will be good in the summer but not long enough for the winter.

Jeff did you fit anything in the end to reinforce the fixing point with walking sticks? In the past I have tried to utilise elbow crutches for variou things and the broke free. Mine were on bikes for steering damper extension type stuff so maybe got more pain than these will but just a thought

 

[Exwindsurfer]

Jeff did you fit anything in the end to reinforce the fixing point with walking sticks? In the past I have tried to utilise elbow crutches for variou things and the broke free. Mine were on bikes for steering damper extension type stuff so maybe got more pain than these will but just a thought[/QUOTE


Neil my mate reinforced the ends with nylatron and they are nice and solid they are a bit short for the winter sun but will be ok for summer .

 

[Exwindsurfer]

Do you use primer and activator with the Sikaflex, if not what do you use to prepare the surfaces to be stuck?

I didn’t use activator I sanded down with 320 wet and dry then air brushed all the dust of .I in filled the swages in the van roof with 8mm plastic to get a bigger surface area .

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Just a thought (probably a useless one at that) but what about automatic greenhouse window openers, or similar?

I got some for a tenner each and if I ever I wanted them NOT to open (i.e. if it was hot/sunny but just too windy to be safe) I would just use the original window latches to keep them tight shut. You could do similar when driving on hot, sunny days The advantage of this system is they 'automatically' work when it reaches a certain temperature, so no wondering when/if you should lift them into the sun or not.

Don't know if you can get such a thing big enough to operate with heavier solar panels, but you never know?

Trying to think outside the box ...

 

[Exwindsurfer]

Just a thought (probably a useless one at that) but what about automatic greenhouse window openers, or similar?

I got some for a tenner each and if I ever I wanted them NOT to open (i.e. if it was hot/sunny but just too windy to be safe) I would just use the original window latches to keep them tight shut. You could do similar when driving on hot, sunny days The advantage of this system is they 'automatically' work when it reaches a certain temperature, so no wondering when/if you should lift them into the sun or not.

Don't know if you can get such a thing big enough to operate with heavier solar panels, but you never know?

Trying to think outside the box ...

I am hoping to fit two gas strut so lifting them should be easy and then put two rigid pole in place .

 

[mariesnowgoose]

I am hoping to fit two gas strut so lifting them should be easy and then put two rigid pole in place .

It's the 'automatic' bit I liked. Will your gas struts operate automatically when temperature is right?

Here you go: automatic greenhouse window openers, Amazon

 

[Exwindsurfer]

It's the 'automatic' bit I liked. Will your gas struts operate automatically when temperature is right?

Here you go: automatic greenhouse window openers, Amazon

Marie I don’t think they would be strong enough to lift theses four panels or you would get the height I need but thanks for the thought .

 

[Exwindsurfer]

Well I tried the panels up as I needed to know the weight that I was lifting. I put the scales on the roof,lifted the panels and put a 15in piece of timber on the scales and under the edge of the panels. It came out at 20kg.

The company I am in touch with needed to know the weight,length and width of the panels, so that they can sort 2 struts out for me that will lift the panels comfortably.

Here are a few more pictures.

 

[Lee]

It's looking good, you'll be able to clean the roof now and get light through the roof light and get more electric. Three jobs in one can't be bad.

 

[Exwindsurfer]

One can live in hope Lee lolol