Fitting a solar panel - Self built DIY VW T5 camper conversion

A short video showing how to install an 80 watt Lensun solar panel.
Big thank you to Lensun Solar for sending me a free panel to install and review: www.lensunsolar.com/Flexible-s...
Solar panel kit: www.lensunsolar.com/Flexible-s...
Solar connection extension cable: ebay.to/2Ugk95M
100Ah gel leisure battery: amzn.to/2EF5xrs
Double cable entry gland (black): amzn.to/2Eivsna
6 metre wiring kit:ebay.to/2GUBDSu
Sargent EC160: ebay.to/2XFYuX0
If you've found my channel helpful you can buy me a coffee via ko-fi.com/gdubtv
GEAR USED
Main Camera: Canon 6D mkii amzn.to/2OPLHwu
Tripod: Manfrotto 190 Go amzn.to/2KCjmX6
Microphone: Rode VideoMic Pro Plus amzn.to/2vvjGCv
Large GorillaPod: Joby 5K GorillaPod amzn.to/2vPjY6J
Small Gorillapod: Joby GorillaPod amzn.to/2yxQxZZ
Secondary Camera: Google Pixel 2 amzn.to/2N4xquS
Tertiary Camera: GoPro Hero 5 Black amzn.to/2nFXukq
Drone: amzn.to/2Bt2D9E
Small light: amzn.to/2OtZYxC
Editing Computer: Apple iMac 27” 2018
Editing Software: Final Cut Pro X
Experience more GDUBTV via linktr.ee/gdubtv
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‘Neptune Beach’ soundtrack licensed from SoundStipe: app.soundstripe.com/referrals...

[@GDUBTV]

If you could go anywhere in your van to experience the sun where would it be and why?

[@RebelsInc969]

Some place in Portugal that has the highest waves in the northern hemisphere cant remember the name of it then down to Gibralter goin bac up the coast of spain to grab a ferry to the southern tip of Italy making my way bac home with the last stop being Amsterdam before the ferry home, cool as F bruv all with my kayak and my motorbike. I gota quote for a guy to come supply n fit solar panels he wanted £950, i dont feel confident enough to fit them myself but i think i may have to (bollox !) cool vid bro do like the Vdubs but i gota stand up in the morn put mi trousers on and i gota have my bike and my kayak i can hitch my car upto if i realy wana take it all lol, cool vids bruv i gota flat black sprinter 👍🙏

[@RebelsInc969]

Would you say this was easy am dead nervouse about doin myself

[@GDUBTV]

Sounds ace!

[@GDUBTV]

Yep, pretty straightforward really. Take your time, measure twice, do the job once! Allow two clear days to let the sealant cure if you can

[@vincentfinkel4213]

Go Surfing in France,Portugal,... Motocross, Mountainbiking in Croatia,Italy,...

[@SpyderLEE]

Great vid as usual. Looking forward to whatever the next project is 👍

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks buddy! 😎👊🏻

[@caravancol1]

great video, i fitted this exact panel last year after seeing your video review, great panel and sorted us out last year really well, its kept my leisure battery topped up great over the winter aswell whilst i havnt been using it. i have mine linked to a Cteck dual, great bit of kit also.

[@GDUBTV]

Sounds ace, thanks for the feedback

[@anthonyfarrell4419]

Cheers for that Gordon,I’m doing the exact same job on my T5, was wondering how you would feed through the pop top, now I know, thanks again. 👍🏻

[@GDUBTV]

Not too difficult once you've seen it

[@Krak_Fox]

wouldn't you turn the gland box around so as not to have the flat front hitting the wind?

[@marcw3725]

That’s what I was thinking

[@vinnieatkinson7227]

Great video and a solar panel is something I need to fit to our T5 soon 👍🏼👍🏼

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks bud, it's a nice easy job. Aim for a couple of sunny days, should only take 3-4 hrs tops from start to finish. Mine was longer due to recording.

[@vinnieatkinson7227]

Cheers Gordon and i’ll re-watch your video when we buy 1. Was your set up expensive?

[@GDUBTV]

It was free, Lensun Solar sent it to me to do an honest review & install. Bit of a bonus!

[@vinnieatkinson7227]

Bonus 😃👍🏼

[@neilwilliams1229]

Hi GDUBTV I was just wondering what size cable did you use from the MPPT to your fuse box ?

[@rooster3266]

Wow my friend you’re way to clever for me ! I m buying my first van next week 2/6/19 and will save up and get a man in to do my electrics . Beautiful van by the way . Oh yes I almost forgot does anyone know how much it would cost for a man to fit solar , thanks guys .

[@GDUBTV]

Depends on what work they need to do. Prob best to call some local autoelectricians or can converters to get a better idea.

[@SUPDubbers]

Hi Gordon. Thanks for all your videos. Helped me out loads! Top man. Quick question, did you notice your Split charge relay clocking in and out after installing this? Fitted mine today and noticed that when the leisure battery reached 13.2v the split charge relay would click on meaning my leisure battery wouldn’t charge properly.

[@GDUBTV]

Hi, you might need to check to see if your alternator is interfering with the split charger. Some smart alternators don't work well with Durite relays. You may need an alternative one which has a different voltage threshold for cutting in and out.

[@sosteve9113]

Nicely done,I just died a road trip trough the Uk

[@GDUBTV]

Hope you enjoyed it

[@GDUBTV]

@@lomate1963 😂🤣

[@PaulMi11s]

Hi Gordon, How do you remove the top inner lining of the Austop where you feed the power in? I've been watching your videos for a while and ended up getting a panel van myself. great work, keep it up. Thanks

[@GDUBTV]

Hi mate, on mine I was able to prise the panel on the underside of the roof cap down a bit and fed the solar cables through the gland and put under that prised panel

[@shanewiltshire1007]

Brilliant vid. Gonna fit a 150w to roof of my T5. No poptop so going onto metal. Do I still need the plastic cardboard that goes between metal and panel?

[@GDUBTV]

Sorry mate, on mine it doesn’t have any plastic cardboard, probably best to check with manufacturer!

[@darrenjones3681]

Dude would be a road trip through France , Austria and crossing the Alps into Switzerland and onto Romania to visit and old friend, that said I would also like to do the ring road that goes right around Iceland, by the way what’s coming next from yourself are you going to build another camper? I’ve found your channel very useful, though in the end I bought a Nomad Ranger lwb Riemo hightop, it basically sleeps four in any weather, had a propex heater, refillable gas tank under the van, an outside shower, 230v hookup, 230v hot water, fresh and grey water tanks, and a Riemo sliding rock and roll as well as hob sink ect, mainly because work and home commitments would have not given enough time to convert myself, she’s a bit more wieldy to drive with the extra height but cruises very well, if anything it just stops you pushing it a bit to fast

[@GDUBTV]

My hope is to start another van at the end of this summer/start of autumn. Maybe a T6, maybe not! 😎👊🏻

[@hockeyanimal37]

Great video, so useful. Do you wire your mppt straight into the leisure bat or do you go via the EC160? I've got the same setup and about to go solar. Cheers

[@GDUBTV]

I went straight to battery with my MPPT controller

[@KingOfCromwell]

Hi there. Great video and hugely useful. I'm about to do the same but install polycarbonate sheeting under the panel to (hopefully!) keep the panel slightly cooler. Quick question: did you have to cut and re-crimp the solar cables leaving the panels before running them through the entry gland fittings? Cheers, Pete

[@KingOfCromwell]

Ignore me: just seen someone has asked the same question!

[@GDUBTV]

Sorry for the delay, but yes!

[@stevenhamilton3374]

With the extra ridges on a standard roof would these be okay on that.Accept the sikaflex will have to be added carefully due to the larger gaps cheers

[@GDUBTV]

As long as you bond it on and seal it all the way around the edges properly (so wind isn't able to rush underneath it) it should be fine! (DISCLAIMER: All solar panel related mishaps that occur as a result of my videos, or advice, are not my fault!) 🤣🤣🤣

[@waynegoode1]

Im thinking of doing this to my pop top, Did you have to cut the cable on the solar panel, to get it through the glands on the black box, the connectors on the solar panel look bigger than the hole in the glands

[@GDUBTV]

Yes I did

[@petercollins7157]

Any update on the panel and it’s performance? Are you going to fit one on your new camper?

[@GDUBTV]

It’s still going strong on the van (I sold it to a mate!). I was so impressed that I fitted 4 of them onto the roof of my T6 project!

[@jasewale]

Lovely solar install! Where's the link to your mates van?

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks, here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fICqf4aJeLCZgZI

[@timwilson1737]

Did you leave a gap in the silicone to stop water pooling infront of the panel?

[@GDUBTV]

Hey bud, didn't leave a gap, but these panels are made for marine applications so wasn't too concerned about water pooling.

[@marktuckey1840]

Looking to fit a solar panel to my van, wondered what Watt panel you installed and how you got on with it? Assuming you have fridge etc in your van as well. Cheers

[@marktuckey1840]

Balls, its says 80 watt right there in your description! Did you find that was enough? Looking at 120Watt but wonder if its overkill

[@GDUBTV]

Hi Mark, the 80w panel was ok in the summer. It managed to keep the fridge going for a few days, and obviously the amount of decent sunlight the panel is able to harvest. Much of it depends on how your using your van. Are you likely to be parked up in a field for a week without driving whilst on holiday? In which case you'll want a decent battery and a stronger panel. On the new T6 project I've got I'm putting 4x 100w solar panels on the roof and am having 2x 100Ah batteries so that it can be off-grid without any need for electric hook-up for a week in most conditions. I would recommend going for 120w over 80w if you can. It will only benefit you! Hope that helps mate :)

[@jameshydes6499]

You didn’t show how you got the MC4 connector through the shuffling gland. Did you take the MC4 connector apart or cut it and re crimp it?

[@GDUBTV]

I took it apart and put back together again

[@uptowndisco2]

I bought Silcaflex 221 , have I bought the wrong stuff ? , not yet fitted the panel to the roof , thanks

[@GDUBTV]

221 is fine. 512 sets a bit faster in lower temps apparently but it'll do the same job regardless 👍🏼

[@uptowndisco2]

@@GDUBTV thanks , save me spending more on another tube :-)

[@XXPC01]

Whoop whoop 🚐👍🏻👊🏻

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks 👊🏻😎

[@jonathanroper5866]

Hi Gordon So do you need 2 leisure batteries or is it connected to just 1

[@GDUBTV]

Mine was just one on this build, but would recommend having two leisure batteries if budget can allow with a smart controller to help distribute the current to battery which needs it most. With a solar panel that is a great setup!

[@fin0328]

Alright, do you have a link to where you got the sikaflex 512 in black? I can only see it in white. Cheers

[@GDUBTV]

I actually used Sikafkex EBC+ (in black) but you could also use 221 which comes in black. 512 is the one they recommend for motorhome exterior use, but yes, only comes in white. The ones I just mentioned are also fine

[@fin0328]

@@GDUBTV Thanks for the reply. One more thing to ask if you dont mind. Whats your thoughts on your bed for comfort? Its look great for switching from seats to bed. I have a Jac campers one and although it looks great its a pain to move between the seat and bed and feels like your sleeping on a board 😕 Would you put the same bed in your new van? Thinking about swapping mine for something better.

[@GDUBTV]

Would 100% recommend Captain Seat. I've already arranged for them to do the setup in the next van, hopefully a T6 from autumn onwards. They're a really good company. We've sent quite a few people their way and everyone has come back with glowing reports. Plus George the owner is a legend! 👊🏼😎

[@fin0328]

@@GDUBTV Thanks for the recommendations and thanks for the work you have done with your channel. It was and still is a massive help to my build.

[@ianlivermore2981]

Hi Gordon I'm just doing the same setup as this. How do you fit the wires into the gland. Did you have to cut the wires and fit new connectors. Ian

[@GDUBTV]

Yep bud, I removed and refitted the connectors 👊🏼😎

[@drewery1958]

I am told the solar panel can get hot Does this cause any problems ?

[@GDUBTV]

We didn’t experience any issues in my case. Some panels are made of glass (will get very hot!) and others, like the one I used, have a rubberised coating which in part helps with heat.

[@colinturner2336]

What is your next VW project?.

[@GDUBTV]

Hopefully a T6, aiming to get one in the autumn 2019

[@spen75]

Now you have sold your van, what's next for GDub TV?

[@GDUBTV]

Not 100% sure in the short-term, but longer term plans are awesome! #TOPSECRET

[@spen75]

G Dub TV T6?

[@GDUBTV]

hopefully 👊🏻😎

[@josephcoutts7347]

WT actual Fuck is that van? Is this a spoof?

[@GDUBTV]

lol