Solar on a tintop

[Mocki]

I think the "B" pillar is open , it's not however open at the battery box level.
I have , albeit from a previous owner a 50ohm coaxial lead running from the centre of the cab roof antenna mount down the "B" pillar and out of a grommet at battery box level where a transceiver was mounted under the passenger seat , and as mine is caravelle I assume the pillar is indeed open at the top

[CovKid]

Cheers Steve. I didn't fancy drilliing hundreds of holes just to find out.

Can soon suss the bottom out as I moved the seat belt mounting up 6" on that side last year to clear my cupboard so hole/grommet not a prob. Fun threading it though.

[shepster]

It is open, I've various cables and wires running up mine (inc solar cable) and out through the roof and into the poptop area.

As Mocki says, at the bottom you will need a way into Batt box.

[CovKid]

Thanks for that. I shall attack it with renewed confidence and possibly a jaunty swagger. Fun bit is drilling in exactly the right spot.

Managed to stick panel on yesterday in the few hours it was dry.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Mine has a bung on the inside of the B pillar at the bottom. I assumed that it was original. I've just checked - it is roughly 5 inches up from the floor, quite large at around an inch. I can't remember what was at the top though, I think that the top is closed but has a hole ( or maybe that was on my Merc )

[Mocki]

you may be able to use the sliding door courtesy light switch hole to assist with access to route if you are going down the passenger side ... mine goes down drivers side as all the electrickery control gear is under the drivers seat

[CovKid]

Ah courtesy light. Never thought of that. Fortunately I picked up a dental mirror recently so with a strong torch I may be able to get the hole in just the right pace. Windy today and drove to work - didn't blow off anyway

N.B. - the panel, not me.

[Mocki]

So is there a update Ralph ?
Or haven't you had chance to complete the install ?

[CovKid]

Yep, will take some pics at weekend Steve.

By the way, found another MOT place

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Following this with interest..

Cordialement,

[CovKid]

Managed to thread cable through roof (small hole) then down B pillar although I have to say, it was a right faff.

After much 'trial' and error, I found builders grade clear external silicon sealer was best way to stick it all down. Silkflex would have been ghastly in this application.

[CovKid]

Will get some better pics once I can get a birds-eye angle but its a sleek as I could make it.

[Mocki]

How is it performing then....

[CovKid]

Moderate light today. 19volts (raw) or so from solar. Charged battery fine. Yet to connect an ammeter but don't want to get obsessive about amps. As long as it charges my battery while I'm at work, thats all I ask of it. Panel suggests 6 amps if I remember rightly.

Not exactly straightforward on a tintop but the standoffs I used (5 in all) cost £2.99 for a whole length. They just support the panel and bring it level with roof ribs. Will post more pics as soon as I can.

Had a scary moment at first as it was producing zilch but soon figured out there was a dry joint in connection box on underside of panel and that sorted it. Whole thing sits as flush as I could possibly get it and as its flexible up to 30 degrees, it follows the roof curve perfectly. You'd barely notice it to be honest.

[ghost123uk]

Moderate light today.....Yet to connect an ammeter but don't want to get obsessive about amps.

Agree about not getting obsessive about it, but I for one will be interested in knowing what results you get in overcast conditions.