Installing downlights in Solarspan roofing at Earthship Well-Grounded

The roof goes on at Earthship Well-Grounded in Marulan with instructions for installing the downlights in Solarspan panels.

[@k1m625]

its really making progress ....looks good

[@damianj4700]

Great video mate; thank you

[@1981rhino]

Awesome 👍

[@innersynergy]

Thanks for this - was wondering if they are a particular LED fitting for the foam ceiling and brand etc as I haven’t seen led light with longer LV leads ? I was thinking of just using some 2 Core flex cable for bit more protection. Any tips on what and where to get the LV light kits appreciated. Also what diameter did you use - std 90 mm leds?

[@maxyoung2307]

Hope you enjoy your journey of earth ship living.

[@peterbeyer5755]

When I drill into a metal sheet I put a tape on the metal and the drill bit doesn’t slide, try it on a piece of waste colour bond and you will see the difference. I have seen these panels with track lighting installed.

[@aaronpirie6710]

cheers dude

[@Jeff-mz3cy]

Hi, I have Bondor brand, I think the same manufacturer as solarspan. However, do you have loud creeking and popping sound from your roof? Mine is very noisy mostly when roof warming up and cooling down of the day. Makes noise at all other times as well but no where as bad. Thanks

[@paulhenare6665]

You still need conduit as if the low voltage cable is a petroleum based cable ( most are ) you now have a fire risk. Best to get a kiwi spackie to do it for you

[@gloriahernandez7107]

Any ideas on how I would it install a fan on one of these panels?

[@barellegroup4531]

Great video mate. I'm using Solarspan on my patio project with Edge Guttering. Do you happen to have a video on the gutter installation?

[@wellgrounded-nswfirstappro1336]

I didn't do one for guttering, sorry. Will put some photos of the guttering on my page this weekend. facebook.con/groups/wellgrounded

[@barellegroup4531]

Thanks mate

[@brendabalanced9957]

Just found this product so this video has been very useful for seeing how it is used and installed. How did you go with the section where the gap was slightly larger than the product?

[@wellgrounded-nswfirstappro1336]

Yet to be resolved as I only get to work on the place every few weekends. Doesn't look like it will be difficult, I have a cutoff section about the right size that I will just need to trim down.

[@wellgrounded-nswfirstappro1336]

Slid a piece into the gap and then covered with a wide flashing. It has endure many storms now without a leak but did require some timber trim inside the house to cover the ugly gap.

[@peterbeyer5755]

also have a look at the video of the Stoddard installation of these panels, it all went wrong and the panels rusted.

[@rogerrodriguez4281]

Great video. What brand of recessed lights and model if possible you used for this project?

[@wellgrounded-nswfirstappro1336]

They were supplied by Bondor, we got them with the panels.

[@MELODYMUNRO]

Sounds like someones cracking the whip...looking good.

[@wellgrounded-nswfirstappro1336]

Yep, my son giving lessons on whip cracking in the background, I didn't even notice, I must be tuning it out.

[@samrowe1834]

Have you tried to replace a light yet before the go up??

[@3210randy]

Morning just came across your roofing video I'm located in south Australia where in NSW are you located

[@wellgrounded-nswfirstappro1336]

In Marulan, half way between Sydney and Canberra.

[@xx-fp1in]

Hi mate, did you use butyl sealant tape between the overlap sheets and did you use polymeric tape between the undersides of the panels and the pitching plate ??

[@wellgrounded-nswfirstappro1336]

No I didn't and there a couple of minor leaks so wish I had. Live and learn. Still happy with the roof though.

[@timcollins982]

The insulated roofing is a great idea. Do you mind me asking how much it cost?

[@wellgrounded-nswfirstappro1336]

Not cheap, I went for 200mm which is a non-standard size so it was costly, 150mm would have been a more economical choice and probably whould have performed as well. My roof cost me just over $40k materials but I was able to put it on myself with a bunch of teenage boys in a weeknd, so saved on labour costs significantly.

[@Ms2Chill]

@@wellgrounded-nswfirstappro1336 how many square footage was the roof for it to cost 40k and be an R-30 insulation?

[@stoneworx09]

If you're not worried about the look? U could always just have the conduct on the under side

[@phillipmancini1536]

How do you replace cabling if any of it fails or is chewed by rodents in the future?

[@wellgrounded-nswfirstappro1336]

Pretty much hoping it never comes to that, so it is a good question. I would hope I could use the existing wire to pull a new one through. Worst case would need to unscrew and lift the panels either side. Not a nice option.

[@gloriahernandez7107]

Hello could you please share the name of the lights?

[@tinnedanger]

Styrofoam affects electrical cable insulation and breaks down it's insulating properties. Low voltage might be ok . for a while.

[@jef159]

Yep. I didn’t like the look of that tps sitting directly in the styrofoam. 😬

[@aramishernandez6109]

where do I find the product

[@maxyoung2307]

Bondor insulated panels.

[@TheOneWhoMightBe]

One thing to watch out for is the metal swarf if you're using a metal saw to cut the panels; it gets *everywhere*. Always a good idea to give your head a quick rinse under the tap every so often. My installer was driving home one day and had a metal shaving fall out of his hair and into his eye. Fortunately it got caught up on his eyelashes. Other than that, the panels are fantastic and easy to install.

[@jeffbell65]

You just bypassed the insulation.