Building a DIY Solar Panel Roof Rack! Ram ProMaster Van Build Conversion - Episode 8 | Jason Klunk

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Get the Weatherguard Promaster Roof Rack Rails here: amzn.to/2zxL1sY
In this video I go over how I built a rack for my Renogy solar panels and attached the rack to my ProMaster. This rack is a nice middle ground for my van. I don’t have a ton of holes in my roof, the rack works well/feels sturdy, and it will allow me to upgrade later on if I want something nicer. Sorry for the noisy video in the beginning, it was extremely windy that day.
#vanbuild #vanconversion #rampromaster #campervan #solarpanels #solarpanelrack #renogy
I’ll be moving onto framing the van next, so stay tuned. Yewwwwwwwww!
Weatherguard Promaster Roof Rack Rails: amzn.to/2zxL1sY
Promaster Roof Mount Adapter (I didn't use these, but they are a good option): amzn.to/3srgBi2
Renogy 160 Watt Solar Panels: amzn.to/2LXomZP
Renogy Lithium Battery 170 AH: amzn.to/3mkCQUu
Renogy 2000W Inverter: amzn.to/2H1bmD9
Renogy DCC50S Charger w/ MPPT: amzn.to/32sBejp
Renogy Battery Monitor: amzn.to/3bXR9JF
Marine Grade 12awg wire: amzn.to/32rNocp
Loctite Heavy Duty Threadlocker: amzn.to/3cbPFKF
Diablo Metal Saw Blade: amzn.to/2ZG6FWK
Kraft Paper: amzn.to/37V2j05
Simple Green Cleaner: amzn.to/2WylYz2
Blue Sea CableClam: amzn.to/36vHFmc
Electrical Tape: amzn.to/2M1ZT5G
Instagram: / jasonklunk
Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Tesla Referral: ts.la/jason55632
Main Camera (Sony A7III): amzn.to/36AVy1c
Main Lens (Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS): amzn.to/2P4fkeN
Manfrotto Tripod w/ Fluid Video Head: amzn.to/2MLyNjW
Rode VideoMic NTG Shotgun Mic: amzn.to/336tEe7
DJI RSC-2 Gimbal: amzn.to/3vtrEbU
Mavic Air Drone: amzn.to/2EdfGeK
GoPro Hero 7 Black: amzn.to/2GuBFA7
Lighting: amzn.to/2FiksIX
I am available for van build consultation calls if you have questions on your build. Find my email in my bio and send me a message: / @jasonklunk
Music by Qveen Herby - Mint - thmatc.co/?l=7878A1D
As per the Amazon Operating Agreement, I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for this content to earn advertising fees and commissions by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This is at no cost to you, thanks for your support.

Опубликовано:

25 май 2020

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Комментарии : 179

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

How did you mount your solar panels?

@mattolsson8816 3 года назад

I haven't mounted mine yet.. Working on building the rack for my box truck.. How much is the L- profile bowing under the weight of those panels? My truck is 8' wide and I have some rather large 315W panels that I want to mount but I am going back and forth on the best way to make it work..

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

@@mattolsson8816 Good question. In the video, you can tell I was going to try and mount the panels both towards the middle of the cross beams, but there was too much of a bow because the aluminum is so thin. I ended up pushing them out to the sides and now there is basically no bow. For your larger panels you could go with some thicker aluminum, but 80-20 would be the best choice IMO. If I were to do it again, I would try to work with 80-20.

@mattolsson8816 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk thanks for taking the time to answer. Yeah it's tricky with that long of a span.. Also trying to conserve weight makes it harder.. But I may have to sacrifice some weight for sturdiness by using unistruts/superstruts across the 8' span.

@OneManEngineering 11 месяцев назад

@@mattolsson8816get unistrut. 😉

@trihokie Год назад

I appreciate you for filming everything. I know what a pain in the arse it it. I quit filming my build. I have a weather guard roof rack, too. I discovered a product in the conduit aisle at Lowes. It’s an Adamax Nylon Cone Nut. It works like a drop in t nut and fits perfectly in the channel. I got the 1/4” size. The great thing is, you don’t have to disassemble your roof rack to add a cross member. Simply drop it in and attach your angle. The other great thing is, they are about $2.50 for 5.

@JasonKlunk Год назад

Thanks for the note. Yes, it was a huge pain! Nice, good find - I'll have to check that out.

@balansorin1983 3 года назад

Thank you! I had no idea you could turn the mounting pins.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

You bet!

@micahvanhove1620 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk I also just realized this. I mounted my rack without turning the pins. How bad is this? I'm about to go back in and take them all off so I can turn them...

@andreahoward1319 3 года назад

I swear you're the only person on RU-vid that makes me feel like I could actually do this 😂 thank you for your videos!

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

haha, glad you found it helpful

@rachelwalsh2028 3 года назад

Same! I was feeling so overwhelmed

@OutaDark 3 года назад

Absolutely the cleanest, tidiest solar install I've seen. Meticulous planning and a methodical install procedure is a joy to watch with a finished article you should be proud of. Very professional.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Thanks!

@DrifterJourney 3 года назад

Very good video, thanks for sharing. This is by far the most cost-effective, low profile rack we've seen for the promaster. Looks great!

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Thank you!

@elkhornslough 4 года назад

I've been watching as you go. I really appreciate how thoughtful you are about all your planning. That's the smartest way I've seen to install the solar panels. Looking forward to seeing what you do next!

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

Thanks!

@zipzipzip9 3 года назад

Wow! Great job! Thank you for sharing your brilliant design solution. Happy Trails!!!

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

thanks!

@ferrjerr 4 года назад

You and I are of the same mind...measure 10 times (or more) and cut once. I really appreciate the concern you have for your van and the time you take to build it up. Thanks for the videos!

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

Thanks! That's the only way I feel comfortable, otherwise I feel like I'll screw it up lol.

@billruprecht7398 3 года назад

Nice video! Just what I needed

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Glad to hear it!

@RBentzen 3 года назад

DUDE thanks man!! This is exactly what I was thinking!!!

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

You bet!

@pilatesaura6974 2 года назад

thanks that was awesome!

@JasonKlunk 2 года назад

Thanks

@jreedlbny 4 года назад

That was amazing. I want it

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

Thanks!

@yenyeoh735 3 года назад

So cleaver! 💡🤔🤓👍

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Thank you! Cheers!

@ginacarreira6155 3 года назад

I am so glad I am a subscriber. Yesterday I was floored by the cost of the Aluminess rack system for the Promaster. $3800. That doesn’t even include a ladder!! I’m going to be doing mine your way.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Right on!

@shelterinplacezz 2 года назад

Hello , thanks for the great video, I am going to be at tempting the same exact thing in the next few weeks thank you so much great video

@JasonKlunk 2 года назад

Good luck!

@allyblack290 3 года назад

Good job

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Thanks!

@gallivant1630 3 года назад

Very well done Jason - congrats. There is nothing quite like it when that worry about whether or not this is going to work is converted into "hell YES this is going to work!" :) Subbed.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

haha agreed 💯!

@mmanut Год назад

SLICK JOB‼️👍👍 Vinny 🇺🇸

@JasonKlunk Год назад

🙏

@juliec5309 3 года назад

Wow nice

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Thanks

@MooreDoing 4 года назад

Duuuuuuuuuuude!!!! This was SUPER helpful on the roof rail option! I bought my Promaster 159 last Friday after researching and planning for almost 3 years and was stuck on the roof rack equation. They are so overpriced, heavy as crap, and are too high off the roof when I just needed them to hold my panels so I'm not drilling holes. Yesterday I decided to bite the bullet and drill holes and today I see your vid. Those rails are exactly what I wanted all along. Thanks for sharing! All you needed to do was make T-slot brackets for the panel rail, otherwise it was good to go as far as mounting to the van? I know you also made the Aluminum L bracket to hold the panels. I just want to be sure the hardware to mount it on the van was all there. Thanks again!

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

No problem, I spent a lot of time trying to find a solution as well. Yes, you'll need to fabricate something to slide into the rails so that you can attach the rack for the panels to the rails. I made them myself, but you could simply have somebody make them for you - they are super simple. The rails come with the hardware for attaching to the van. Make sure you check the documentation on the rails, I'm pretty sure they will be fine for the 159 but I remember seeing something in there specifically about the 159.

@MooreDoing 4 года назад

@@JasonKlunk Extra karma points for you my friend. Thanks again!

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

🤙

@max4296 3 года назад

Thanks so much for taking time to answer our questions!! Another one I'm curious about: with your placement of the cable clam under the SPs, is there enough room to hook everything up and keep it tidy in that tight space? Putting up my two 175W panels this week and deciding on cable clam placement.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

I've had no issues with where I placed mine, I like that its covered by the panels.

@johnmca5643 3 года назад

At the beginning you said the rack is temporary. That rack is bulletproof! No need to change it out. Great job!

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

thanks!

@gaileenfrost4588 3 года назад

Solar great job

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

thanks!

@lindadunlavey 11 месяцев назад

Are you still happy withthe roof rack after 3 yrs. I am just starting my build and researching how to best put the solar on top at a reasonable price. This lookes like a great idea.

@JasonKlunk 11 месяцев назад

Yes! It’s still holding up and has worked out great for my needs.

@lkazanov 3 года назад

Wow, very cool. On the Promaster Forum, it is of sound belief that the heads on the roof mounting pins cannot be turned. Most roof mounting plates are clamp on variety with exerting vertical pressure on those pins. You simply turned the heads with channel locks. Very nice.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

They definitely turn, it's in the manual for the mounting rails.

@bretthawton 3 года назад

Not true- A couple of people have posted about turning the heads for this rack on that forum. They said it was a little tough but it worked.

@msmargiek48 4 года назад

We are following in your footsteps on this. Thank you so much. I might have missed it but what size was those big rubber washers you used to mount the angle frame?

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

I used these: www.rubberfeetwarehouse.com/collections/recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer-embedded/products/1-1-2-5-8-1-2-recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer

@msmargiek48 4 года назад

@@JasonKlunk Wow, thank you so very much!!

@paulisakson3221 3 года назад

Did you use those simply to get enough height to clear the middle of the roof, where it gets a little higher? I ask because I want my rack to stay as low as possible.

@D3dBr3ad 3 года назад

Thank you endlessly for your videos, they’ve helped me do my build out tremendously! I am planning to add a retractable awning to my roof rack though, would this setup accommodate that?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Glad to help. I'm not sure, sounds like a challenge though - good luck!

@kz.m4251 2 года назад

Hi Jason! Thanks for this great video. Super helpful. Quick ???: I read that it's 1/8" thick, but how wide is it?

@mujiangtan3238 3 года назад

A great idea, it looks really solid, thank you for sharing. I am in the process to put a roof rack for solar panels. My only concern is that the built-in bracket on top has to be twisted 90 degree, would it crack the seal? Did you apply any seal before you mount?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

thanks. What seal are you talking about? The knobs on the top of the van are meant to turn so you aren't harming anything.

@TheNewtybar 3 года назад

Great work. What are those plastic/rubber pucks used to space the rack and aluminum L bracket when mounting?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Thanks. I used these www.rubberfeetwarehouse.com/collections/recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer-embedded/products/1-1-2-5-8-1-2-recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer

@johnfeng5963 3 года назад

Thank you for the great video! I am following you closely for building my promaster. I have a couple of questions regarding the rubber spacers you used to support solar panels: what is the advantage to use rubber spacers and how you control the tightness of the nut above it?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

I just needed something to raise up the panels a bit so they weren't sitting on the roof of the van. It's a carriage bolt w/ locking washers, a nut and loctite

@johnfeng5963 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk Thank you so much Jason!

@indianfood4life 3 года назад

Hi Jason, how and where did you run the wires that connects the battery to your Renogy DCC50S Charger w/ MPPT? I am assuming you are also charging your battery from the alternator in addition from the solar panels. Also what size fuse did you use?

@makani57 4 года назад

Nice job! I'm wondering if you've noticed any additional wind noise from your rack mount?

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

Thanks. I haven't noticed anything yet!

@scottford5870 3 года назад

Hi Jason great video, I note that you turned the original “T” shaped roof rack mounting points with some grips. Before I attack my van do you know if these points screw all of the way out if so could a home made rack be screwed directly into these points to save having to make a special bracket? Any thoughts would be very much appreciated 👍

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Great question, I don't know if those thread all the way out.

@chasinggeckos8843 3 года назад

Just saw this!! Awesome! Nice and tidy. Where did you find that those lugs can me rotated? Never seen that before. Thanks

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

I remember reading about it somewhere awhile ago, it's also in the manual for the weatherguard rack.

@chasinggeckos8843 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk thanks for the super quick response. Nice to have a content creator respond. Love the work you are doing. Cheers from Owen Sound Ontario

@kokyouchau607 2 года назад

Hi, This is awesome infos. I got all your materials from Amazon, but was not able to find the black rubber piece for the solar panel. Can you leave a link. Thanks

@JasonKlunk 2 года назад

Thanks. Here you go: www.rubberfeetwarehouse.com/collections/recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer-embedded/products/1-1-2-5-8-1-2-recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer

@TarcoRN72 3 года назад

the brackets seen at 1:50, where did you buy those? I want to make my own custom aluminum roof rack using those brackets and probably 1 inch aluminum square tubes.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

The 6 on the left came with the weatherguard rails that I bought. I ended up making 4 more myself out of 1/8" aluminum.

@victoriadenmark3026 Год назад

Hello!! I know this was a long time ago but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask- is there a reason you chose to mount the 160W panels 'long ways' instead of horizontally across the van?

@benjaminlandheer1 3 года назад

In the end when you were showing the connection to the unistrut there were some big rubber washers. What were those? Do you have a link?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Yes sir, I used these: www.rubberfeetwarehouse.com/collections/recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer-embedded/products/1-1-2-5-8-1-2-recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer

@leahhiniker8661 3 года назад

Did you need to put anything under the flat plates to assure the turned pin secured the plate to the van? I have some angle brackets that I am hoping will work with the turned pin, but don't see how to get them nice and snug. Great video!

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

No I didn't. There are some white brackets that came with the mounting rails that help secure it in place, you can see them at 3:02

@dougpark7318 3 года назад

Hi, thanks for the video. I got the same roof track from weather guard. I am concerned that the mounting bracket and the screws are NOT stainless steel or galvanized. Should I be worried about rusting.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

So far they've been fine for me. Maybe try contacting Weatherguard and see what they have to say.

@darian.explores 4 года назад

Yours looks more stealthy.

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

Thanks, I think so too.

@shs4x8goat 3 года назад

On the fabricated pieces, how did you go from a round drill bit to a finished square hole?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

That's the hardest part. I ended up drilling a smaller round hole first and then I took a file and very carefully made it into the right sized square.

@azhiker522 4 года назад

I see some black spacers between the purchased rail and your DIY rail. Are these to raise the height of your panels? Can you provide a link to purchase them?

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

Yes, I needed to raise the rack up just a bit so it wasn't resting on the roof. www.rubberfeetwarehouse.com/collections/recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer-embedded/products/1-1-2-5-8-1-2-recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer

@azhiker522 4 года назад

Hi. Thanks for your video! Looking at the BlueSea entry gland with the link you provided, the inside rubber stopper already has one hole in it. Did you drill out a second hole?

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

I purchased the one where the rubber doesn't have a hole, so I drilled two new ones.

@azhiker522 4 года назад

@@JasonKlunk Interesting. You purchased the .83" with 3 seals? The picture shows 2 stoppers, and they both have a hole. I went to the BlueSea site and looked at the instructions, which are confusing. It states to confirm the hole is the correct size. Then, it says to drill a hole and slice from the outside to the hole. Not sure what's what.

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

@@azhiker522 The one I have linked is the one I ordered. It's been a minute, but I thought it came with three and the third one didn't have any holes.

@ByteBitten 3 года назад

Hi Jason, how many millimeter is there between the roof (high rib) and the solar panel? I am planning a build with a similar mounting :)

@cruzc09 3 года назад

What is the name of that black circular grommet thing at 7:43 that is connecting to the aluminum angle and the roof rack? I'm not seeing it in the product list in the description

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Here you go: www.rubberfeetwarehouse.com/collections/recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer-embedded/products/1-1-2-5-8-1-2-recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer

@VIDEOUNIVERSE2 3 года назад

When I go to the link for the rails I don't see the mounting hardware you show in your video.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

The 2115-0-01 kit includes the roof mounting hardware for the rails

@danielkopaee9241 3 года назад

what were those rubber washer looking things you put under the panel, and do they come with the panel?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Here you go: www.rubberfeetwarehouse.com/collections/recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer-embedded/products/1-1-2-5-8-1-2-recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer

@ronshaw6464 4 года назад

I really like your videos you seem to do things right. I followed your instructions on the solar panel install and it worked out great but question is when I finished with the install and my wires are inside the van are they live? I threw a tarp over my panels and taped my ends in the van since I am not really ready to hook up yet is this what you did or do you know about the wires being live or not?

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

Thanks. They are definitely live if you connected the panels to the wires you ran down into the van. Disconnect the panels on the roof and just let those wires sit under the panel until you are ready to start your electrical.

@ronshaw6464 4 года назад

@@JasonKlunk thanks that's what I thought

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

no problem!

@yourpcmd 3 года назад

Whats the part you got for the solar wires with the decorative trim?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

It's the CableClam in the description

@barbarathomas8391 Год назад

I plan to do a Ram build out, the pattern for insulation can you purchase these?

@JasonKlunk Год назад

Not that I'm aware of

@OTBkid Год назад

Is that 1/4 inch angle Aluminum?

@jonathanmistele4313 2 года назад

How did you go about punching out the square holes for the carriage bolts on the aluminum inserts that you fabricated ?

@JasonKlunk 2 года назад

I thought about getting those fabricated at a local metal shop, but it was going to be pretty pricey so I hacked those in myself. I basically drilled a round hole big enough so that I could get a file in, and then I filed it into a square. They are definitely not pretty, but they work.

@jonathanmistele4313 2 года назад

@@JasonKlunk Thanks! I have one more question for you. It looks like the cable clam that you used is meant for just one cable. Did you just end up drilling 2 holes in the rubber seal and it worked fine?

@HowToFromMeToYou 11 месяцев назад

Where did you get those black round rubber spacers you have between the roof tracks and the L channel? What size L channel did you use? 1 1/2 or 2 inch?

@JasonKlunk 10 месяцев назад

I used these: www.rubberfeetwarehouse.com/collections/recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer-embedded/products/1-1-2-5-8-1-2-recessed-rubber-bumper-feet-metal-washer

@JasonKlunk 10 месяцев назад

1.5" on the L channel

@lindamorgey6736 3 года назад

Really enjoy it. Let's check Avasva plans also

@andywoo1038 3 года назад

This there a reason why you left a space in between the panels? Thanks.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

I pushed them further to the outside of the rack so that the crossbars didn't flex at all in the middle where all the weight was

@jarvisthesmartvanatvanprov5975 3 года назад

Also what kind of battery are you going to use lithium or agm?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Lithium

@max4296 3 года назад

Hey Jason, is the friction from the compression of the rubber feet the only thing keeping your fabricated plates from sliding in the channels?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Hey - no, the plates are attached to those tabs on top of the van.

@max4296 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk Yes, the ones for the weatherguard rail system are secured to the roof's tabs. But I'm wondering about that 4 you fabricated on your own. @10:40 it looks like its the downforce of the nut on the rubber feet that's primarily keeping your plate in place.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Sorry, I misread your question. Yeah, it’s all kinda clamped together - carriage bolt, plate, rail, washer, angle, locking washer, nut.

@mtier0067 3 года назад

What model of the Blue Sea Cable Clam did you get that has 2 holes in the rubber gland instead a single hole?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

None of them have more than one, I drilled them out myself. The one I used is in the description.

@mtier0067 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk THANKS! That's what I wound up doing today. Good install man! nice and clean

@cruzc09 3 года назад

What type of battery did you utilize for the solar panel?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

I have a Renogy lithium 170 AH

@MooreDoing 3 года назад

I just installed mine today and I’m afraid I went too thin on the aluminum angle bracket. There’s rattling when I hit bumps which I believe is the aluminum flexing. How thick are your rails and do you get any noise from them? I did all this solo so the thought of having to redo it is a real bummer.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Bummer, I used 1/8" aluminum angle and haven't had any issues.

@MooreDoing 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk That's what I used! Hmmm. I just ordered 1/4" but I'll also add some rubber grommets under the panel mount points to make sure the solar frame isn't rattling against the angle bracket. I'll also mount them further apart so they are closer to the edge rather than towards the middle where there's less support. Appreciate the reply!

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Did you add any spacers between the roof rails and your rack? Without those, the rack would definitely sit on the roof and rattle. I was originally going to mount the panels closer together in the middle, but in the end moved them towards the edge on each side like you mentioned. Good luck!

@MooreDoing 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk I added some rubber feet and washers to make sure it cleared and accounted for any flex. Really appreciate you taking the time to troubleshoot it with me. I think the thicker rail and spacing them further out will do the trick. Good luck with the rest of your build! All my electrical comes this Friday. W00T!

@Golfreak 4 года назад

Hey Jason, I liked the roof rail but its $380 at Amazon. I've looked elsewhere and it seems to be in the under $200 range but I wondered if its the same kit. How much did you buy those for ? Thanks.

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

Yeah, Amazon has always had it priced too high. I ordered mine from www.toolup.com/783965050395

@michaeleft 3 года назад

Jason Klunk blessings on your house for this video and link

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

@@michaeleft 🤙

@cruzcollaborative949 3 года назад

whats the size of the L-piece of aluminum?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

1.5"

@marquisdesade6191 4 года назад

I saw you twist the roof nubs, is that how they work? I couldn't figure that out.

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

yep, you just need to use a wrench.

@CentralCoastBassFishing 4 года назад

Jason, I love how you research and then improvise as you move forward on your van. Questions: do the long rack bars sit on the van roof when you tighten the 6 nubs? How much clearance do the cross-angles have to the roof in the center of the span? Do the angles sag at all with the weight of the collectors? I guess that’s all...for now! Thanks, Will

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

@@CentralCoastBassFishing The rails from weatherguard sit on the van, in a sort of weird spot TBH. They don't sit how you'd expect, but they feel really strong either way. My rack isn't sitting on the van, I have about an inch or so of clearance. I was concerned about sagging, so you'll see in my final shots at the end that I've moved the panels closer to the edges rather than butt them together right in the center. The dip down just slightly, but not enough to worry about. If you are worried about the weight of the panels, just buy stronger cross bars (8020, steel, thicker aluminum).

@CentralCoastBassFishing 4 года назад

@@JasonKlunk thank you for your reply! OK, the rails actually sit on the van roof, not suspended on the 6 nubs/thingys Ram welds on the roof? Do you have any concerns about potential wear/rust where the rails sit on the roof? By "rack having about an inch of clearance" are you referring to the aluminum angles that hold the solar panels in place? Sorry for all the questions but I'm a planner, like yourself and I really don't want to have any avoidable regrets as I build my new van.

@JasonKlunk 4 года назад

Right. I don't have concerns about rusting. If the rails from Weatherguard for some reason do end up rusting, I can remove it and clean the van - it's not the end of the world. But definitely something to consider if you are worried about it. Yeah, the inch of clearance I was referring to is the space between the van and the aluminum angle. I wanted there to be space for airflow under the panels.

@klister08 3 года назад

I bought a lithium battery and the renogy pure sine inverter. But then read it wasn’t compatible.. have you had any issues with your system?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

That’s not true, where did you read that?

@klister08 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk I was looking over the manual on renogys site then saw where it says to only use with sealed lead acid, flooded or gel batteries. Thanks for the reply. I’m new to this stuff so wanted to make sure.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Weird. Yeah, it’s totally fine. There is a section on their product page where it talks about the sizing for lithium. “MINIMUM 12V LITHIUM BATTERY BANK SIZING”

@klister08 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk thanks!

@lukeobriencreative 3 года назад

How many 170ah batteries do you have on board?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

I have one

@lukeobriencreative 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk ok thanks for the reply! I thought in one of the shots I saw more than 1. I’m in the process of my build and I’m gonna go with 1, 200ah as well. Your videos are suuuper helpful during my guild so thank you!

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

thanks, glad they have been helpful. In they very early days I was looking at using some AGM's that I bought (I had multiple), but I ended up returning those and buying the 170 lithium. They may have showed up in an early video, but I don't recall.

@jarvisthesmartvanatvanprov5975 3 года назад

have you installed the batteries yet?

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

Yeah, I just don't have any videos of that part of the process

@jarvisthesmartvanatvanprov5975 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk sweet! also which battery is it that you used and which inverter/charger? I'm currently at that part of my build thank you so much .

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

@@jarvisthesmartvanatvanprov5975 I put links in the description to what I'm using - I have the Renogy 170 AH Lithium battery and the 2000W inverter.

@jarvisthesmartvanatvanprov5975 3 года назад

@@JasonKlunk Ok, I bought a battle born but I'm a little conflicted, have you ever considered the battle born? Also Would the renogy charger work with the batttle born? Also how much do you charge for consultation? thank you !

@jarvisthesmartvanatvanprov5975 3 года назад

I was considering the victron with the charger and inverter

@malimish 3 года назад

We mounted our panels essentially the same way 3 years ago. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MJztqKn-nB8.html After using it for awhile I decided to update the mounting points a bit to allow them to tilt.

@JasonKlunk 3 года назад

nice!