Step one. Bought the van.
Hello Everybody, First post. I camp a lot in tents but after spending three days straight in a tent in the rain at Dolly Sods I swore I'd make a change. Here it is. Bought it Wednesday. Dro...
Forum Discussion
Solar Panels continued -
Wondered about the added weight of the solar panels so before installing them I measured the force used to raise the top. Used an electric actuator, my thinking stool, old bathroom scale and a scrap wood piece.
With the wood scrap at the top of the actuator this contraption weights about 10 lbs.
Raising the top brought the scale to 106 lbs. Subtracting 10 gives 96 lbs of force.
After raising the top 4 inches the springs in the top start to have a greater effect and less force is needed.
Install both the panels on the roof and do this test again. It's now around 153 lbs.
That makes it tough to raise. Not only that but once the top is all the way up it comes back down without much force. I can bring it down with just one finger. Not good. Have to increase the tension on the lifting springs.
WARNING: This is dangerous. Before messing with the springs you need to watch this very informative video another penthouse owner has made. He covers it in more depth.
http://vimeo.com/62530890
First thing is to get a come-along. I just picked this one up at Harbor Freight. Happened to be on sale for $14.99.
Being from Harbor Freight, before it could be used I had to completely unwind the tangled cable from the spool and then rewind it evenly.
Cut a couple supports from scrap 2x4's and use to prop up the corners of the side I'm working on. These are for safety's sake. Didn't want to bet my life on a $14.99 tool from Harbor Freight.
Remove the cover from the secondary spring and lift it out. With the top raised it's not in either tension or compression so lifts right out.
Anchor both ends of the come-along with S-hooks rated for 400 lbs.
Increase the tension on the lifting spring with the come-along until the chain comes free.
Reduce the length of the chain by one link. Hook it back on the spring and slowly release the tension by backing off the come-along until the chain is taunt. I then zip tied the now loose chain link so it wouldn't rattle.
Repeat on the opposite side.
The top now raises and lowers like it did before I put the panels on the roof. One more thing. Don't know what the max weight rating is for the penthouse top but the way everything feels I wouldn't put another pound up there. Since I don't camp in the winter where snow loading might be an issue this shouldn't be a problem.
OK, that's the end of the solar panel project. I'm currently working on backup cameras, led lighting and the battery separator so one of these will be written up next.
Wondered about the added weight of the solar panels so before installing them I measured the force used to raise the top. Used an electric actuator, my thinking stool, old bathroom scale and a scrap wood piece.
With the wood scrap at the top of the actuator this contraption weights about 10 lbs.
Raising the top brought the scale to 106 lbs. Subtracting 10 gives 96 lbs of force.
After raising the top 4 inches the springs in the top start to have a greater effect and less force is needed.
Install both the panels on the roof and do this test again. It's now around 153 lbs.
That makes it tough to raise. Not only that but once the top is all the way up it comes back down without much force. I can bring it down with just one finger. Not good. Have to increase the tension on the lifting springs.
WARNING: This is dangerous. Before messing with the springs you need to watch this very informative video another penthouse owner has made. He covers it in more depth.
http://vimeo.com/62530890
First thing is to get a come-along. I just picked this one up at Harbor Freight. Happened to be on sale for $14.99.
Being from Harbor Freight, before it could be used I had to completely unwind the tangled cable from the spool and then rewind it evenly.
Cut a couple supports from scrap 2x4's and use to prop up the corners of the side I'm working on. These are for safety's sake. Didn't want to bet my life on a $14.99 tool from Harbor Freight.
Remove the cover from the secondary spring and lift it out. With the top raised it's not in either tension or compression so lifts right out.
Anchor both ends of the come-along with S-hooks rated for 400 lbs.
Increase the tension on the lifting spring with the come-along until the chain comes free.
Reduce the length of the chain by one link. Hook it back on the spring and slowly release the tension by backing off the come-along until the chain is taunt. I then zip tied the now loose chain link so it wouldn't rattle.
Repeat on the opposite side.
The top now raises and lowers like it did before I put the panels on the roof. One more thing. Don't know what the max weight rating is for the penthouse top but the way everything feels I wouldn't put another pound up there. Since I don't camp in the winter where snow loading might be an issue this shouldn't be a problem.
OK, that's the end of the solar panel project. I'm currently working on backup cameras, led lighting and the battery separator so one of these will be written up next.
