How I Built Motorized 1kW Solar Panel Lift / Van Build S2E2

Having a 1kW solar lift was our van life dream from the beginning! This van build is our ultimate DIY project, and we’re so excited to share it with you. This off-grid tiny home is going to have everything we’ll need for a great time on the road here Europe!
Van Build Parts List: www.ladiandmargaret.com/
Our eBike business: mysuperebike.com/
Subscribe: / @ladiandmargaret
Amazon Wish List: www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/...
0:00 Intro
1:09 Template
2:39 Mounts
9:01 Wheel Runner
11:02 Wheel Frame
11:46 Base of Actuator
14:15 Intermission
14:37 Actuator Support
16:05 Weight Check
18:12 Sliding Groove
18:54 Slider
23:33 Rotating Pin
26:57 Fitting Test
28:08 Locking Lever
30:44 Top Actuator Attachment
32:08 Lift Test
34:32 Weight Test
🌐 More tools, ideas, and information on our website: www.ladiandmargaret.com/
⚡ Take a look at our powerful DIY eBikes: mysuperebike.com/
🌎 Join this channel to get access to perks: bit.ly/3Fzc1W6
📸 Follow along on INSTAGRAM @curlyhaircamping / curlyhaircamping
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The Ultimate Van Build Journey:
In Season 1 of the van build, we stripped off the old DPD stickers, rust-proofed the entire van, painted it our favorite matte grey color, redesigned the cab, planned our van's design / layout, created our epic water tanks, built our custom panorama roof windows, installed new wheels, & installed an insulated floor! PHEW! Building a home is something else! bit.ly/LM_SEASON1
Season 2 ❤️ bit.ly/LM_SEASON2
--
🐾 Who are we?
We’re Ladi (from Czechia) & Margaret (from USA) and we love eBikes, campervans, & cats. In 2020 our van life lifestyle flipped upside down, & we needed to stop traveling in our camper to lockdown in eastern Czech Republic due to the pandemic. With no travel plans and some new time on our hands, we decided to sell our old van, start an electric bike business, begin a youtube channel, build our ultimate dream campervan, renovate a junkyard into a tiny house homestead, plan a container & upper workshop space… well, some other smaller projects in-between 😅.
What we thought would only be 6 months of “stillness” has become 2 years of innovation, progress, and so much fun, and most of that is thanks to YOU. Although we’re excited to be back on the road and traveling the world again soon, we’re so thankful to lay a foundation here in Central Europe & bring you with us on this crazy journey. Thank you for supporting us and being part of this incredible community!
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How I Built Motorized 1kW Solar Panel Lift / Van Build #17
Music By: Epidemic Sound, Artist, Musicbed
SyncID: MB012O27WPLDPCC
#vanbuild #vanlife #solarlift

[@ladiandmargaret]

It's a long one, but we included as many details as we could! If you enjoyed this video, make sure to smash that "like" button! We'll be responding to as many comments and questions as we can :)

[@melinafioravante8136]

Not long enough: WHAT AN AMAZING BUILDING!!!! Thanks for all the details :)

[@juliemac5604]

OMFG. Genius.

[@KeithofPlanetEarth]

Time flies when you're having fun - that was awesome x

[@thomasperez365]

Not one second was unnecessary. What a brilliant mechanism !

[@harryhes9074]

Hi Ladi, do you have an email I could contact you? Thanks and regards, Harry

[@robtrueblood853]

Ladi has some serious skills. Sending love from the uk x

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks Rob!

[@craggyislsnd]

There are people who spend years studying to be an engineer. Then a cabinet maker from the Czech Republic comes along & makes them look human. Margaret, you're one blessed lady.

[@ladiandmargaret]

Don’t I know it ❤️

[@juliemac5604]

The cabinet maker comes along and makes Einstein look average!

[@diyandy3172]

My name is Ladi and I have a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career, skills that make me a.... shit hot engineer for projects like this!!! Can't wait for the next installment guys. 👍

[@TessGlimmerveen]

Loving this extra long video 😁!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Yay so happy to hear it, Tess!

[@erikribes2721]

It makes me so happy when I open youtube and I see that you guys have upload a new video😊😊

[@ladiandmargaret]

Hope you loved it, Erik!

[@MrMrmysteria]

I mean, we need to start to see something what Ladi mess up otherwise we would feel unworthy. Lost my words, this is pretty huge!

[@ladiandmargaret]

😆😆

[@Hitycooking]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJCVnZupeb6HgLeprut

[@simondavid4084]

I cannot explain how happy this video made me. No reason why it should, other than the sheer delight in watching someone succeed at something which they worked so hard to achieve. Outstanding work, both on the solar lift but also the production quality of the video. You two are an amazing team.

[@joanmcerlean7158]

Woohoo! Yes, Ladi’s got the prize! But you know, I couldn’t appreciate the genius and your excitement about it, if you hadn’t produced an equally brilliant video that captured and explained it all so well. So bravo to you both. It was very inspiring and exciting to watch.

[@TeodorKanar]

This is just unreal engineering. I'm so pleased to be able to see such an amazing craft. Best wishes from Poland! Ahoj!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks a lot🙏

[@ellipszilonq]

Y'all need to make a patreon and when you reach a certain goal let Ladi build a spaceship. Bezos who?

[@PureMocro]

Saying that this was incredible is an understatement. This man achieves whatever comes up in his mind. What a talent. Compliments my man.

[@Mr.Chok71]

This man, whatever he imagines, he does. Of course, Margaret is also there as a great support. Greetings from Novi Sad

[@brambekkers]

I think Margaret is equally important!

[@drexxboban8277]

Hhahah jos neko sa balkana gleda!

[@pinepcdesign8459]

This is extremely informative for all of us that want to build the same type of solar lift sometime! Thank you!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks for watching!!

[@firpofutbol]

You guys are brilliant. Before we know it this van will be able to fly, sail, who knows what else it will do.

[@ladiandmargaret]

Haha thanks so much for watching this Saturday!

[@michielmeijer5653]

At the end, the shot where the locking mechanism did its part so smoothly, so soothing! Like an episode of How It’s Made..

[@sufianmohdyusof652]

This guy is really a serious genius..he able to build almost anything....thanks for the video...

[@waynenicholls6362]

A masterclass in engineering. Ladi takes van building to a level so far above anything I’ve ever seen. . Hats off to him 👏👏👏 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@alexfilippidis]

Thumbs up...super clever..patience, repetition, inventive and still using basic tools materials! Bravo guys. Big hug from Greece

[@annette8770]

Margaret gets double bonus points for the editing that made such a technical video so entertaining. I’m not even a cat person and found myself smiling during the cameo appearances and intermission. Great video!

[@hriattearalte]

Ladi.... you are a great creator and inventor and Margaret is your inner spirit, you both are great... Lots of love from a remote place of India.

[@MagnumiPad]

Ladi is a fantastic fabricator, Margaret you are a great explainer.

[@manuelgomes3421]

Just one word, OUTSTANDING!

[@paulasosa94]

Men I was thinking about one system like this for the past two weeks and is amazing like you do, You are a genius!!!

[@afroborilafemme]

The engineering is crazy!!!! Ladi is a master.

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks for the love!!

[@commuterbranchline8132]

Well done Ladi, you definitely got the prize!

[@paulcurtis5496]

you know, I come back and watch this marvelous conquest like once a month!

[@Rich-n-Cooper]

Simple! Strong! and Elegant solution all made with tools that most would be able to have access to. Im sure others will copy you on this too!

[@unimog404]

Cool system!! Make sure you fill up the inside of the metal bars with paint. They rust easily through from the inside. I think rust will be the main failure point for the system. I like the sliding blocks in the tube. Only a tiny bit of rust will get it stuck. I can't wait to see it complete on the roof!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Good point. I might consider better rust protection.

[@fredtdtje]

Maybe not paint but keep it lubricated at all times. You might be able to put on an automatic chain greaser like those you can buy for motorcycle chains. It could be tweaked to release a drop of oil every time the system passes a certain tilt degree.

[@wighty654]

@@ladiandmargaret you could get it dip galvanised so it properly protects the inside. Can always prime and paint the outside afterwards with the right kind of primer if you don't want a galvanised finish

[@chriscox5568]

I was a fitter / mig welder for 18 years in really big specialty fabrication shops and I've got to tell you , I ran across you and your wife's van upgrade video's and I've been really impressed with your skill, creativity and ingenuity 😊 ! Love the video's ❤ ! You and your wife look really happy being and doing everything together. When someone can find their "True" Soul-Mate, that's what makes life worth living and your cat's are really cute and sweet and they make also give happiness and love. Keep on making your video's.

[@marcothehammer]

Ladi "won the prize" when Margaret allowed him to keep company with her. 😁🤭 Together you are remarkable. Apparently, you deserve one another.

[@auxbuilt4190]

LEGEND! I know how it is not being able to sleep with the ideas in your head!

[@thomasperez365]

This is incredible ! I've been busting my mind around this exact problem and then you come with the perfect solution on a silver plate. THANK YOU ! You're amazing, both of you. And Ladi really does have golden czech hands 🤲

[@caseyjones94]

Engineering and skill level? GENIUS. 👏👏👏

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks for watching, Andrew!

[@asmera4547]

I sincerely hope Ladi is patenting these custom build ideas..ESPECIALLY THE SOLAR PANEL LIFT!!

[@judischarns4509]

I love watching Ladi work. He's a mechanical genius. Thanks for the cat and kitten interlude.

[@ladiandmargaret]

Kitten intermissions get us all through

[@kendewachter1614]

Waaw!! The inventions, DUDE!! This is the best thought through van ever!!!

[@catherinelmeyer6248]

I wish I had a 16th portion of Ladi's brain....he is brilliant...love following you all!

[@greeneyedggirl]

Awesome job! This is so cool, and all the kittens just makes it so much better!!! Congratulations!!!

[@neboder]

Unreal. I like these guys. Ladi is a genius.

[@richardneal394]

Ladi you’re a genius, I love the way you design everything, you two ( plus cats) make a great team and by far the best music on any blog I’ve watched!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Eeep thanks Richard! I’m always nervous about the music cuz everyone has different tastes, so I’m thrilled you enjoy our content!

[@samanthaelliott9487]

SAVING VIDEO NOW!!! Thank you 🙏🏼 for this beautiful design!!

[@stuartgibson9432]

Brilliant! Now all you need to do is make a base that will rotate the whole unit through 360Deg to follow the sun accross the sky. Perhaps linking it to a gyrocompass so that it moves automatically!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Good luck with that. On a house easy but I can’t imagine fitting it on a van and staying under 3,5 tons.

[@jupiteradventure5284]

Stuart, there just isn't the space on a van roof. Not only that but you can't put them far enough apart to prevent shadows - and shadows destroy the output. What Ladi has done is spot on to maximise the charging current in a mobile situation.

[@VanVeenTraining]

Super cool! What a feat of engineering!!

[@120Livi]

Now you need to get a controller and write a little bit of code that takes the van's GPS location, the time of day and works out the optimal angle. Park up all day the the panels slowly track the sun's elevation in the sky!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Just a compass and calendar would do the job I think. Automation will be great but I’m in the welding process atm🙃

[@michalj.1594]

I found out Ladie's secret. his super powers come from that yellow blanket. he is at every job 🤣 great job keep it up

[@neilvend]

Wow - just okay is not Ladi’s motto. Bravo!!

[@jhvisual5393]

That is IMPRESSIVE! wow! Really great stuff. My new favourite van channel

[@Webernbg]

Even now very late, but congrats for this lifter really. Amazing job and i love to see your perfect planning and made all with brain. Super cool all your videos and i love to see you as a great couple also. Greetings from germany. Uwe

[@alexyustas4148]

So cool!!! You are my heroes, guys! 😀

[@unkawill7077]

Dude. Mad Skills in the shop.

[@bedclintred]

We bow to the master. 👍😁😍🐱

[@keriezy]

I'm impressed, jealous, and excited by you two and your kitties. Another amazing Saturday morning.

[@caddymickey]

Wow ! Fantastic engineering. Nice greetings from Austria.

[@Magie7079]

ridiculous how good this works!

[@philipbrett4230]

LADI the wizard ✨nice design

[@terristenacious2279]

Ladi, so many people need those lift for their solar that you could mass produce and sell them to van lifers.

[@mrmotofy]

The van mount is too model specific

[@nicolawibbz7182]

Ladi really is a wizard!!

[@Nickle314]

The home made mill - very cute.

[@kjoshua125]

I love the long video. Also, three kitty’s in one video made my day :)

[@ladiandmargaret]

All about the cats! 😅

[@itisconsulting]

all I can say is WOW!

[@kitakado7113]

Wow! It’s so beautiful!

[@mp180170]

CLEVER CLEVER CLEVER CLEVER CLEVER CLEVER fantastico!!!! love your work 👌🏼🇬🇧😊

[@katfran492]

Ladi, extremely impressive! You are one smart & determined man. I cannot wait to see the final product.

[@minutemark]

Ladi DOES "have a particular set of skills."

[@ladiandmargaret]

😂😂😂👍

[@Alberto_Abad]

I think I'm right if I say that we ALL celebrated seeing how the structure raised it... BRAVO!!

[@kai-uweheinz]

The female commentaries and graphics add so much to the story! ty f your awesome videos! God bless you mightily!

[@Newpb77]

Been waiting for someone to come up with this😍🧠💪

[@brucelangseth8566]

Absolutely incredible! Congrats,, Thanks for sharing.

[@banarne71]

Just amazing. Very well done! 👍🏻

[@MarcoMartinsM]

Wow! Just... wow!

[@rodmann]

Ladi you're the best !

[@spritzpistol]

AMAZING! You guys (and fur babies) are so cool and this is by far the best mechanical and designed project I’ve seen on KZbin. The attention to detail is phenomenal and sits still in my own perfectionist mentality. Thanks for your generosity in sharing your build. Can’t wait to see the final result.

[@terristenacious2279]

Margaret, Ladi is so innovative and creative. What a genius.

[@edtelis264]

Ladi you are one extraordinary genius. We need to clone you. This world needs more Ladi’s. Love, love your channel guys. I just wish i was this creative 😂🤣

[@WileHeCoyote]

That last excited "YOOOOOO!!!!!!" had me grinning from ear to ear!

[@ladiandmargaret]

So glad you felt it too!!

[@billinns7676]

So you always park East West to follow the sun (Since it tilts to one side only)? My brain hurts. Ladi is a master fabricator. 👏🏻

[@glendashields9834]

Ladi should be so proud of himself, he is a very intelligent and gifted young man. You are both a joy to watch, keep up the good work.

[@JeanettGilmore]

My mind is blown. What a genius this man of yours is - to be able to make all of those things. I take my hat off for you guys!

[@VictorSylva]

My DIY hero does it again..... anytime I travel to Europe I hope I can spend a few days working for Ladi on any build for FREE ..... this was amazing

[@Boltercon]

YUSSSS Ladi and Margaret videos always make my day. Sure you already are, but don't forget the loctite on all those nuts and bolts

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks. Don’t worry, it would punish me forgetting loctite.

[@dizheller2101]

"Ladi's got the prize." - Yep, definitely! Simply genius! Congratulations!

[@SecurityisaMyth]

Well Done!

[@lenardvandermaas6893]

Wow! I just found your channel like a week ago and I love it! You go above and beyond to make sure everything is low profile and as compact as it can be and I love that! it makes everything so much better, and finally seeing it lift the target weight without problems was awesome! I can't wait to see more, good luck building it :)

[@RevGerryRM]

Magnificent work 👏

[@nickgenericusername]

Damn this is so sleek and elegant!

[@carolecooper4210]

Ladi is very clever you too are amazing

[@divekatdreaming]

OMG! The kitten break in the middle of fabricating!!! Love Ladi!!! Congratulations on your brilliant solution!

[@yolandaimontalvo4739]

The ‘junkyard’ is looking so much better than when first showed it. It’s really coming along with everything else. Love the repurposing and upcycling of materials.

[@CurtisDrew1]

I used electric car trunk latches for mine. The accuators pull the panel frame into the latches and hit a contact switch that stops the lower and only allow raising if the trucnk latches are open. My panels are mounted on a double frame like a "Z" with pivots from garage door spring shaft bearings. The lower frame raises the solar array that is mounted to a second frame. Then the second frame tilts on the tip of the raised lower frame with a second set of accuators. This way my panels tilt east to west with a solar tracker and I can get the most sunlight on my panels all day. And the best part is all I have to do is park my RV north to south and the panels will track from either side. I can start the tracking from either the driver side or the passengers side. And at the end of the daythey are tilted back to face the sun the next morning. Your ramp roller and slide pivot to lock down are ingenious!

[@jentommyontheroad8089]

Glad you went with the longer edit! Fascinating! The animation definitely helps with understanding the features of this amazing design! So exciting!

[@alayejon]

Amazing Work Ladi and Margaret just knows how to keep the adrenaline levels up. Great Work Guys, thanks for sharing your process and ideas in such a free spirited manner. You inspire professionals and Non Professionals with enthusiasm. Keep it up 🤟🏾

[@rbstride]

Amazing Ladi! To bring it from mind, to computer is great; but the fabrication and technical ability is what is most impressive. I salute you! Cheers from Canada

[@richardclark8520]

Brilliant in it’s simplicity and functionality. Excellent job.

[@SlaveData]

Ladi.. Do you have any intention to produce these for resale at all? Or even maybe a self build guide?? I need one! 😃

[@ladiandmargaret]

This needs to be tested first, I don’t want anybody to get hurt.

[@Hitycooking]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJCVnZupeb6HgLeprur

[@markjaik]

Awesome shop, great build! Nice

[@paulschimel3572]

Pretty sweet solar lifter. 😎

[@erwanruiz7179]

What a work ! Enjoy your succes !!

[@justinecormack2464]

Excellent video. Love how the whole process is shown in such detail. Fab editing. Ladi is a great designer and has amazing craftsmanship skills.

[@bettinablankenship1096]

Margaret you do a fantastic job capturing all of Ladi’s genius ideas and build. I love how you both work together. I am a grandma & my husband & I have worked together for years on projects . We finished an add on room last year during the COVID. I just discovered your channel last week & have been watching nightly on your van build it’s so interesting. I told my husband you make the coolest e-bikes and wouldn’t it be fun to build one together, he smiles at me and says yes dear :). Keep up the great videos I’m hooked.