Wow I was surprised that the little shadow from that wifi thingy would cause such a drop in solar power ... but then again I'm no scientist! I did grab the Charger1 thing that you recommended in your last video. I got the splitter Y connections so I can have the solar and the DC charger connected at the same time. I can't wait to see how much power I can get into the AC200MAX!!
Good youre facing the sun but for those that don't know solar panels still work on cloudy days or even just pointing at the sky ( indirect sunlight) obviously shorter days are the problem in winter
I had 800w on on a tilt system for 2 years and did used it once. The problem was you have to face the sun and i found this was not easy when traveling around doing so. If you have any wind ow no.
It sounds like you had quite the experience with that tilt system! Facing the sun can definitely be tricky, especially when you're on the move. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Clean those panels, they are filthy and they will work better after the crap is removed!! No, It is not December BTW, was that a senior moment you were having?
What an elegant solution to angling your solar. I really liked how you just bolt the supporting arm onto the angle bracket and loosen whichever side you'll be using for the stay. Have you considered how you could adjust the solar without setting up a ladder? Or in the rain if you didn't want to get wet?
Good night Becky and Mel i love watching your you tube videos on your you tube channels I hope both of you are well and Mel enjoying his conversions of his new motor home where is Becky tonight I love all of your you tube videos when are you going to work on your new motor home please say hi to Becky please and please both of you keep safe and warm and please keep up your good work on your you tube channels
Grt getting your extra solar tilted Mel but when are you going to start work back on the Vario?? Regardless enjoy you content & company.cheeriebye 👋🏴
Also what could be a good idea mate is have a backup petrol generator therefore if your battery is dropped below a certain voltage you can just boost them up great video
340 watts @12v is around 28amps. Nothing disappointing about that - but always limited in winter. Also have you tried different panel angles - I think the optimum is around 50° in winter? And optimum is around 20° in summer.
I'm guessing your solar panel is a "monocrystalline" panel. Polycrystaline panels work better in partial shade, with dust or snow etc! Monocrystalline panels can break down if they are only marginally covered in snow or by dust, or if part of the panel becomes shaded, by a wifi ariel for example!
@@richardd8352 horses for courses. Polycrystaline panels maybe 15 - 20% less efficient but just a tiny wifi ariel reduced Mels charging ability by 100W. Like I said horses for courses, life is full of shadows dust, snow etc, there are times the efficiency of the monocrystaline panels will affected by these things. Cleaning the panels would help no matter which panel is used! Which would you choose, either option is a good/bad choice, all depending on which variables apply!
CIGS panels are the way ahead, I have two ultra thin flexi CIGS panels from Renogy, which I attach to the front rail of my Thule awning when it's s wound out. I then peg them out at an angle and they double up as privacy panels. They operate better than any other in overcast conditions.
I agree, you need as much solar this time of year as you can get. Looking at the geometary of your props and cross member, couldn't you shorten the prop a few inches and cut a slot in the vertical side of the cross member? If the prop is then permanently fixed to the panel, the bottom end of the prop would slide in a slot. It'd save you clambering onto the roof to reach the top of the prop.
Hi Mel do you not need multiple holes in the panel for different angles depending on the time of the year and the height of the sun. It’s a great idea and I may try it on my caddy camper
Thanks for your great videos. They're all really helpful and informative. I am in the process of searching for a sprinter van to convert to a campervan. I can't decide if I need a LWB or medium. It would only be used for myself and the dog ?
You're still getting a shadow along the bottom edge from the roof rack channel because the panel is dipping down as you pivot. If you move the pivot pins all the way to the corner of the panels you might get the whole edge generating? Better still, bolt some straight brackets to the sides that extend past the bottom or the panel and use those as the pivot point. That will LIFT the panel above the rack. Alternatively, a pair of stainless steel hinges bolted to the rack, with the hinge level with the top edge, and the other half to the panel. Then the frame of the panel will lift above the Rack.
It sounds like you ran into a common issue with solar panel compatibility! It's always a good idea to double-check the specs before making a purchase. Hopefully, you can find a solution that works for your setup! All my panels are 36v
You do talk rubbish sometimes. My solar panel is flat on the roof and I am at least 200 miles north of your location so the sun is even lower in the sky. Yet today it charged the battery well for a few hours.
Rubbish? Nah, I prefer to think of it as "creative interpretations of solar science"! Glad to hear your panels are pulling off a surprise performance up there!
Mel , try giving them a clean it may improve the performance because dirt is nearly
As bad as a shadow. Good video bud.
What I was going to say 😂
Now get that Luxurious Vario finished! 😉
Option A - move the sun.
Option B - move the earth.
Option C - move the van.
Your move 🤔🤔🤔
Haha, nice! I’d say let’s just move the van and grab some snacks while we figure the rest out!
Some say the earth has tilted 23 degrees
Wow I was surprised that the little shadow from that wifi thingy would cause such a drop in solar power ... but then again I'm no scientist! I did grab the Charger1 thing that you recommended in your last video. I got the splitter Y connections so I can have the solar and the DC charger connected at the same time. I can't wait to see how much power I can get into the AC200MAX!!
Good youre facing the sun but for those that don't know solar panels still work on cloudy days or even just pointing at the sky ( indirect sunlight) obviously shorter days are the problem in winter
Come on Mel, are we having Waffle on a Wednesday back. Your channel is at last back to normal x
Know crack on mell we need you to start building up this beast
I had 800w on on a tilt system for 2 years and did used it once. The problem was you have to face the sun and i found this was not easy when traveling around doing so. If you have any wind ow no.
It sounds like you had quite the experience with that tilt system! Facing the sun can definitely be tricky, especially when you're on the move. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
December ? you in a time machine lol
A time machine would be handy, especially for getting back to the summer vibes!
Mel can't wait for santa
@@BigVanSmallWorld Hi Mel , what make and size of solar did you use please
Clean those panels, they are filthy and they will work better after the crap is removed!!
No, It is not December BTW, was that a senior moment you were having?
Not a senior moment - a RUclips moment - due to always having a vid on the go for the future month 👍🏻
What an elegant solution to angling your solar. I really liked how you just bolt the supporting arm onto the angle bracket and loosen whichever side you'll be using for the stay. Have you considered how you could adjust the solar without setting up a ladder? Or in the rain if you didn't want to get wet?
Sunny boy , the pipes are calling
I would fix a bar between the 2 panels and in middle of that use a gate opener actuator to raise them at a press of a button Mel
Ah, the age-old battle between manual effort and technological advancement. Looks like you're firmly on Team Button-Pusher!
It's not December quite yet, still a couple of days.
Good night Becky and Mel i love watching your you tube videos on your you tube channels
I hope both of you are well and Mel enjoying his conversions of his new motor home
where is Becky tonight I love all of your you tube videos when are you going to work on your new motor home please say hi to Becky please and please both of you keep safe and warm and please keep up your good work on your you tube channels
Grt getting your extra solar tilted Mel but when are you going to start work back on the Vario?? Regardless enjoy you content & company.cheeriebye 👋🏴
WHY ARE YOU NOT USING GAS STRUTS? IT WOULD BETRULY BENEFICIAL TO YOU. AN ANCHOR PLATE TO KEEP THEM IN PLACE WHEN CLOSED DOWN?
Also what could be a good idea mate is have a backup petrol generator therefore if your battery is dropped below a certain voltage you can just boost them up great video
340 watts @12v is around 28amps. Nothing disappointing about that - but always limited in winter. Also have you tried different panel angles - I think the optimum is around 50° in winter? And optimum is around 20° in summer.
I'm guessing your solar panel is a "monocrystalline" panel. Polycrystaline panels work better in partial shade, with dust or snow etc! Monocrystalline panels can break down if they are only marginally covered in snow or by dust, or if part of the panel becomes shaded, by a wifi ariel for example!
But aren't polycrystaline panels generally much less efficient.
@@richardd8352 horses for courses. Polycrystaline panels maybe 15 - 20% less efficient but just a tiny wifi ariel reduced Mels charging ability by 100W. Like I said horses for courses, life is full of shadows dust, snow etc, there are times the efficiency of the monocrystaline panels will affected by these things. Cleaning the panels would help no matter which panel is used! Which would you choose, either option is a good/bad choice, all depending on which variables apply!
CIGS panels are the way ahead, I have two ultra thin flexi CIGS panels from Renogy, which I attach to the front rail of my Thule awning when it's s wound out. I then peg them out at an angle and they double up as privacy panels. They operate better than any other in overcast conditions.
Great video. It's a good idea you would not think that small box would be a big problem 😂 👍
I think it was one of your videos that put me onto unistrut a long time ago. I built the bed frame from it too.
Well done Mel, a bit of lateral thinking😊
Great vlog 👍
Ask your friend if you could mount your solar panel on his shed roof. A dedicad battery or two For your needs..
great see you get the van build thanks lee
just turn then van in a different direction and the Ariel shadow moves
Hi Mel, Why don't you cut a groove into those angled arms so you can adjust the angle with your locking wing nuts to adjust to the suns height.?
OMG my two panels are on my roof but i do have 3 roof rack bars as need to carry ladders explains the slow charge
December😂😂
I agree, you need as much solar this time of year as you can get. Looking at the geometary of your props and cross member, couldn't you shorten the prop a few inches and cut a slot in the vertical side of the cross member? If the prop is then permanently fixed to the panel, the bottom end of the prop would slide in a slot. It'd save you clambering onto the roof to reach the top of the prop.
Thanks for your input! That’s an interesting idea, and I’ll definitely consider how modifying the prop could improve the setup.
Hi Mel do you not need multiple holes in the panel for different angles depending on the time of the year and the height of the sun. It’s a great idea and I may try it on my caddy camper
Starlink mini
Vary good job
👍
Great video bud 😊 one day like to fit a tilt system 😊
Thanks for your great videos. They're all really helpful and informative. I am in the process of searching for a sprinter van to convert to a campervan.
I can't decide if I need a LWB or medium. It would only be used for myself and the dog ?
If that van pulled up,in a campsite and those bloody great panels were sticking up I would be complaining what a eye saw
Seriously? This is a silly comments you don’t go to a campsite to see beautiful campers you go as a base for the surrounding
I got 2 flexible ones that I hook on the side saves all that work
He needs those as well!
Hi Could use a glass van rack and put them full time on the side!
I'm thinking 2 500W panels
Take care M.
hi mel are your panels connected in series or parallel thanks for the great vlog well done good luck
Hi Mel , what WIFI aerial do you use , can’t find it in any of your links . Keep the videos coming
You clout just turn the van the other way and tilt the solar panel the other way. ❤❤❤
You beet me to it. 😂😂 that will teach me to commit before the video ends.
Haha great minds and all that 👍🤓👏
😂that was brilliant. Easy fix.
Mel love Yr videos. Did you clean the panels. I know you was a little disappointed after 2 were up.
That little object blocked 50% of the sola input pretty interesting would never of worked that out cheers for the knowledge :)
I'm glad you found it interesting! It's amazing how small objects can have such a big impact on solar input.
Panel also looks v.dirty Mel ??
How much does that 2e panel makes on it own? did you try that
You're still getting a shadow along the bottom edge from the roof rack channel because the panel is dipping down as you pivot.
If you move the pivot pins all the way to the corner of the panels you might get the whole edge generating?
Better still, bolt some straight brackets to the sides that extend past the bottom or the panel and use those as the pivot point. That will LIFT the panel above the rack.
Alternatively, a pair of stainless steel hinges bolted to the rack, with the hinge level with the top edge, and the other half to the panel.
Then the frame of the panel will lift above the Rack.
177 watts is fine
It may just be me...but the amount of time, energy & faffing to do this, plus putting up & down the panels is barely worth?
Shading pal
The farmer is going to need to put you on the electoral roll. I wonder if he knew he was moving in a permanent tenant.
Get on with the vario 😂
Is there exhaust that dirties the front panel?
I made the mistake of buying city plumbing solar panels only to find out they are 36v and my renogy DC/DC & mppt has a max 24v 🤦
It sounds like you ran into a common issue with solar panel compatibility! It's always a good idea to double-check the specs before making a purchase. Hopefully, you can find a solution that works for your setup! All my panels are 36v
@BigVanSmallWorld am hopeless with electrics! Going to see what happens. Wish me luck! Love the videos, keep it up!
I may be wrong but the panel voltage shouldn't matter to the dc/dc charger. And the money you saved with the £70 panel will easily buy a new mppt.
@sparkykevboss who's going to bet I get the wrong one....again 😂😂 wish me luck
December! Can you time travel ?
Yes 👍 thanks for watching to the end of the video really appreciate that 😂🤣🫶👍
Swim ? Where you gonna do that? In a tub of sheep dip😂
who said that? 😅🌞☀😎
Now try 4 way tilting lol using no bolts and no hinges. You made multiple mistakes in the design.
👍
If I ever do invest in a campervan, I'll be recharging with a generator. Solar in the uk is pointless.
Your MOT ran out on the old sprinter in July you need to sort it and stop running around in it as it could be a danger to other road users…
Why you talking shit?
Try 24 October 2025
@@neilmick6778😂😂😂😂😂❤
@@tonydean1262❤❤❤
You do talk rubbish sometimes. My solar panel is flat on the roof and I am at least 200 miles north of your location so the sun is even lower in the sky. Yet today it charged the battery well for a few hours.
Rubbish? Nah, I prefer to think of it as "creative interpretations of solar science"! Glad to hear your panels are pulling off a surprise performance up there!
Yea panels only need light not direct sun