Inventing Motorized Solar Lift for DREAM DIY Van Build / S2E1

[@juliemac5604]

So many awesome things happening in this video!! 1. You’ve definitely been picked by this kitten. No escaping your fate. We need an official name. 2. I love that you are skydiving/jumping. So brave!! 3. Ladi gets so excited, it’s like he’s five years old again. It’s infectious!! 4. Can’t wait to see the final product. It’s a brilliant solution.

[@trulylivinggood]

You and Humble Road are my two favorite van life innovators. Thank you for sharing with us!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thank you, George is great!

[@alainnjel]

I couldn't understand what Ladi was talking about, I just understood that it worked and that made me happy too!😊

[@Hitycooking]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX-xmniAh8t6pdWcehe

[@k.j.2481]

You can always look at the close captions sub titles to get the details.

[@alainnjel]

@@k.j.2481 Sorry, I meant about the project I perfectly understood his english, it's the tilting project that made my brain go numb for a sec. Lol but thank you.

[@BlurpImaDinosaur]

I'm constantly in awe of Ladi's ability to find a solution. Can't wait for the next video! Also, pet the kitty for me please 💛

[@JTCCDEL]

You 100% need to be on the Discovery Channel or Netflix or Amazon or Lifetime or HGTV or CBS or PBS or, or, or, or..... fascinating, fun, adventurous, educational, inspiring, inventive, creative, positive and every other “tive” out there! You are both, amazing human beings and I hope everyone in the world gets a chance to see you! THANK YOU for sharing your beautiful brilliance, your adventurous spirits, and your passionate souls, with the rest of us❤️

[@ladiandmargaret]

Happy Wednesday! It's been a big week! We're finally feeling like this project has everything we've wanted. It's light-weight, around 11cm tall, and the craziest goal of all... as close to 45 degrees as we can get! Wishing you a wonderful week, and don't forget to smash that "like" button if kittens bring you joy

[@michaelbrinks8089]

Off subject question.....How long (many miles/km/years) will a decent 750w mid drive kit or 3000w rear wheel e-bike kit last? I heard the 1000w $200 rear wheel kits often don't last very long under normal use. I have a cheap 2 stroke motorized bike kit and really want an e-bike kit but can't afford to pay $1,000 for a motor & battery kit only to have it last a year or get destroyed from water damage by getting caught in the rain a few times.

[@miriamortiz8040]

Someone is falling in love with a kitten.....

[@johnventevogel7415]

OMG, you guys have to add that little kitty to the family!! 🐱❤️🐱

[@rebeccavalencia4247]

Please patent and trademark everywhere internationally! Protect your intellectual property and intellectual genius! Everyone will want this! Thanks for sharing your brilliance!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thank so much for all the support Rebecca! For this we'll keep open-source for the whole community to benefit from :)

[@VensystemsUk]

great to see the logic and analysis behind your decisions

[@ellipszilonq]

Ladi has a great treeclimbing technique, exactly what I would expect from him.

[@ladiandmargaret]

it's best when done in crocs

[@paulechols]

The kitten is awesome! We have Mia, a Mackerel Tabby that looks, talks, and acts just like her🤠 Excited to see the solar get mounted!

[@brendariley8982]

I'll never understand why you would want to jump out of a perfectly functioning air plane!! Okay, All joking aside. OMG you guys. You are amazing. How FUN that must have been for you both. What a rush. LOVE IT!!

[@sprinterdiscovery]

Very cool. The same concept/mechanism can be used to level the bed that you sleep on. Let's say if you are parking on the street for the night, the passenger wheels are typically in the street gutter. One side of the bed is higher than the other. Ladi's mechanism can then raise the bed so it becomes level. The rest of the van will not be level of course, but having a level bed for sleeping is a requirement.

[@ladiandmargaret]

It’s better to level the whole floor so it’s comfortable even for cooking and general existing 😂 Leveling air suspension would be the dream!

[@mackenmd]

I love it when ideas pan out! Can't wait to see the brilliant invention on the roof :-)

[@Hitycooking]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX-xmniAh8t6pdWcrhr

[@jonasmichaelmoir9378]

Physics is so fun in reality, not in a textbook.... Great design!) Looking forward to see the stress test on the finished prototype!) Cheers!!!

[@carica952]

I love you guys, yor energy, optimistic approach to evry problem and constantly trying to find crazy and original solutions. You are so inspiring. Keep going to live your dreams.

[@wr4mobil]

Brilliant idea to make the first few degrees a sliding mechanism to overcome the hardest part to lift the solar panels. And it benefits a perfect locking mechanism to

[@NinaThoren]

It is so inspiring seeing Ladi so excited and focused on these projects for the van! And omg I have always wanted to go skydiving! I don't know if I will ever try to jump alone but I really want to jump before I turn 25 :)

[@ladiandmargaret]

Tandem skydiving is amazing! I tandem-jumped twice before deciding I wanted to get my license and learn to do it solo! Can't wait to drive around the world and skydive everywhere haha

[@ScarlettKitsune]

I loved skydiving. I only did it once, but found it oddly relaxing in free fall. Didn't get the adrenaline buzz everyone else got, but still loved it. 😁

[@FrancescPinedaMunne]

When I saw the problem, I would have thought of a design using a small second vertical actuator just to push the first few cm. Your solution is much more efficient. Congrats!

[@kathrynvivier9789]

GUUUUUUUUUUUUUURL. just. wow. I skydived at 20. was amazing. but once was enough. you're a WARRIOR BAD-ASS.

[@maelsimon2201]

Ladi, you're a genius, I wanted the same inclination technique for a van I will build, but couldn't find a solution, and there you go, you give it like this, just... Genius

[@chrismartin5772]

Wow never seen that before it like a power assisted ramp or door incredible idea

[@823Labs]

3 things: 1. Great job on the mechanism 2. Congrats on your jumps 3. Keep the kitten... it's so cute

[@belindachappell9875]

You are such a good kitten mother Margaret ❤️

[@gingofat]

You guys are aammaaazzing!! Ladi is so gifted and both of you project so much positive energy! The quality of your work and filming is brilliant! Keep them coming as I can't get enough!!

[@CreekRanger]

That is a clever mechanism. I considered a bladder to start the initial motion on scissors but after evaluating pros and cons decided on portable panels. When I park I set out the portable panels. The additional benefit is camping in shade while panels are in the sun. When driving alternator and the panels on the roof provide sufficient charge.

[@paullehto1823]

How many nights you stayed up until you figured it out? As many as it takes. There is almost always a solution. You know that and won’t quit tell you solved it. Smart man

[@divekatdreaming]

So cool that you are skydiving!!! It is on my bucket list!!!

[@ladiandmargaret]

absolutely love it! Definitely do a tandem jump when you have the chance!

[@lostcaper5747]

You two are the absolute best, so refreshing.😊

[@critterkarma]

Great solution, Ladi!

[@hardwoodharry6364]

I love to see a man excited by what he has achieved well done to you both

[@ladiandmargaret]

thanks for the support, Harry!

[@markytuck]

To optimise this further, it will be ideal to know the panel tilt angle, as you will need/can vary this depending on your location and time of year. Once you reach a new location you can refer to sun charts for the zenith angle and a simple tilt angle calculator for that day. You can certainly put it at 45deg and be done, but when you have an adjustable tilt angle mechanism already there you can easily optimise it further. Just a thought.

[@alisinwanderland]

So Ladi is a cat (with his tree climbing abilities) and Margaret is a sugar glider...got it! Good thing Millie is around to run the shop with all these wild animals around. ;) When it comes to the van build, you never cease to amaze me with your ingenuity. So excited for you to have it all come together.

[@ninnelis]

I just can’t get enough of you. I love your videos and they are in my waiting list number one in YT. I would be happy to have a warehouse like you to do all my crafts. Plus that I would like to have a camp van to travel in Europe. Have a nice summer!

[@johnebell1022]

You two are amazing! You really know how to keep a mess of people on edge for a whole week, dying to know how did they do it???? It also was so cool to see how Happy Ladi was to finally get it figured out. Reminded me of my niece when she finally got something she really really wanted for Christmas LOL. i eagerly look forward to your next installment. I don't subscribe to You Tube Channels much at all, but after seeing a couple episodes I didn't hesitate. The Discovery Channel should pick you guys up and give you a series! Best of luck on your build, your business and keep enjoying Life!!!

[@suewiltshire8092]

I so love your enthusiasm, it's brilliant, what a problem solver 😄

[@a-aron2276]

L&M If this doesn't pan out in the long run, have the panels on a pivot on the side you have a and link the ends on a shaft and have worm gears on either end and the middle, speed isn't an issue, the panels could take 10mins to get open but that doesn't really matter. A support pole could achieved using other actuators but you'd have your low profile with the work drives being in line with the roof and a hell of a lot of strength having less structural failure points. The actuators would be supportive but not required .

[@johnnybuschmann7827]

I was so waiting for this video! Had this idea also in my mind since about a year. Ladi, you are such a good tinkerer ☺️

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thank you. This was the only single solution I did not find a bigger problem on 😂

[@abecoulter8550]

isn't it amazing how an idea in the back of your mind becomes a reality

[@PtangPtangBiscuitBarrelSmith]

I think a simple concertina air bag to lift the panel would work perfect and less than 10cm when flat to roof. YW.

[@paulineala8578]

Love seeing all the thoughts process !

[@StefanAPagel]

I've been waiting for this video since you announced a solar lift. Finally it's here !

[@ladiandmargaret]

Hope you like it!

[@StefanAPagel]

@@ladiandmargaret most definitely ! Can't wait for the next episode. I have 2 x 250W on my Opel Vivaro and a tilting option would be so fantastic ! My main problem so far was to find a solution that does not add much height, as I still need to be able to get into my underground parking space. I only have a few centimetres to play with... I am amazed by Ladi's idea !

[@ladiandmargaret]

It looks pretty promising so far, It will look very futuristic once it starts sliding and tilting 🤞

[@jupiteradventure5284]

@@StefanAPagel use the sides, hinge from the top then adjust the bottom out to the Sun angle.

[@richarddinning6901]

That girl looks like you jumping out of a plane. What can't you do your awesome 😎 👏.x

[@ladiandmargaret]

haha thanks Richard! We try our best!

[@belindachappell9875]

So clever Ladi 🤗

[@ladiandmargaret]

thanks, Belinda!

[@sorchaoconnor3750]

So cool!! Both the lift and the skydiving!

[@irishpilgrims]

so impressed! brilliant!

[@SamSam-yb3ls]

My goodness that little ball of fur is amazingly cute! btw, did I spot a cheeky 'bird' during the sky drive...? That jump was pretty amazing too - huge well done from a fellow curly girl!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks Sam! haha probably did see a bird! Was lucky enough to jump 5x this weekend! Need to pass 3 more levels and then I have my license!

[@juliemac5604]

I wonder what that person said, to earn a bird! It bet it was funny!!!

[@FHRider-o1m]

Amazing week you guys have had, invented a solar lift, jumped out of a plane, and taught a kitten to lay upside down, brilliant, lol! 🤩

[@rosiebateson4498]

Just found your channel today. I’m watching the van build from the start and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve subscribed ♥️👍

[@poncho6784]

An unbelievable coincidence! I've spent the past 2 weeks scouring the internet in search of ideas and designs for a tilt mechanism that has a low profile. No luck until I saw today's video. I hope you will make the plans available somehow. Realizing that each solar set up will be different in layout, size, and weight, t would be great to get a close idea of how to build a similar mechanism for our first van build.

[@ladiandmargaret]

I’ll be building it in the following video. You are welcome to copy the same principle - figuring that out was the biggest time sucker.

[@jeffsteinmetz7188]

I look forward to seeing it work on top of the van. Then please please build it for my Transit 148 extended. 😄

[@alanculbert7630]

Tabitha would be good name for the kitten

[@paulschimel3572]

I like your prototyping process. Excellent!

[@ladiandmargaret]

thanks Paul!

[@Mats.van.Deursen]

looks great guys, cant wait for the final product

[@Cynicide1]

Ahh, awesome work, was waiting on this one! I also love how the video title overlay says 'Titling' lol. I assumed a mistake at first, but then again you do have a great sense of humour, so who knows...hehe

[@ladiandmargaret]

that was a straight-up typo lol but I really appreciate you giving us the benefit of the doubt on that one haha! That's what I get for doing the thumbnail 20min before upload XD

[@niemma2]

Some reason came into my mind those hook lift trucks, lift cylinders are almost lying down flat but there is small help piston upright under boom on frame what assist at the beginning of the lift so that main pistons gets better angle.

[@caution1100]

when you see them tinkering with designs that didn't fit their needs at around 16;15 you can see them try something similar to what you're suggesting, using a spring in place of the helper cylinder. presumably it didn't fit their requirements, (maybe too tall?)

[@ladiandmargaret]

Too tall and requires a lock. It would be bouncing on the spring when driving.

[@niemma2]

yes but i didnt mean spring, there is short actuator under and push that frame up same time when main actuators start lift, i would do something like that and use also clamp locks. Its hard to design something functional in such a low space and that it will last a long time.

[@KeithofPlanetEarth]

I love it! Have you named the kitten Gladys yet? And accepted that you now have 2 cats!! x

[@dciuri]

Thanks!

[@robertwayne3567]

😻 loving your trademark convo-with-cats openers 🐈

[@Bennytet]

I love watching your videos. You are a great inspiration. You take it on no matter what the challenges. Great example of initiative, creativity and fun. Very well done guys. It would be awesome to meet you one day

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thank you. This feels like one of the hardest challenges I remember. Hopefully it will work out 🤞

[@pamelarw58]

Congrats on the solution with Solar lifts! 👏😊 Does the little kitten have a name yet, maybe Snow? Where is Millie hanging out .... somewhere away from kitten?

[@lisamillerbuchert9447]

That kitten is so cute. I could even say it’s going to be beautiful. Won’t be hard to keep the kitten if you don’t find a good home for it.

[@ladiandmargaret]

We think we found one! Fingers crossed it works out! Couple more weeks until we know for sure!

[@jonc67uk]

Your cat's gorgeous 😁 I hope the tilt is worth it for the power increase. I mounted mine flat & managed fine in summer. It would definitely be a good plan for winter though.

[@MrRamkulov]

20 minutes of Lady playing with sticks and saying: "Wow"

[@ladiandmargaret]

Hi 👋🏽

[@floor5818]

If you like to have an extra row you can do a sliding system both ways and tilt it down that could be posible

[@theauthenticword8732]

I look forward to the next video.

[@wkmingus]

I like the fact that you both try to reuse and recycle the materials on your property, instead of sending them to the landfill. Your property is really looking better. Maybe your apartment build in 2022?

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks. We wish but the Czech legislation is very behind with the land approval. We hoped to move in at the end of 2021 😂👎

[@dciuri]

Hello guys my name is Dario DeCaro I live in the USA Laguna Beach California. I just I just joined your channel SS fully subscribe member. I’ve been watching your show and following since the COVID-19 shut down I saw what you have done with the junkyard do you have a transformed that place in awesome studio/workshop excellent job guys.

[@critterkarma]

Cool new hobby, Margaret! You dare devil, you! But where’s Millie? Kitten scared her away?

[@colinbarton3960]

Just loving your videos, thanks. CB

[@ladiandmargaret]

thanks for joining us, Colin!

[@BlastedFreak82]

05:23 OMG Margaret 👍👍👍 this is not for me :D :D 18:28 Ladi you can make everything work 💪 💪 💪 stay healthy 😀

[@melinafioravante8136]

Mini Millie is adorable 🥰 But where’s Millie?! Too jealousy to hang around the new kitten?

[@ladiandmargaret]

omg she HATES the kitten haha! Only child syndrome to the MAX lol

[@melinafioravante8136]

@@ladiandmargaret I’m dog is like that; I try to preserve a special routine that I know how much he likes it, but the rest of the time is shared! He took it well (or at least better) with our moment preserved ☺️

[@afeminame]

I'm just nodding my head in agreement. Feeling like Ladi is speaking in the buildish techie language. I don't know what he was saying, but it sure looks like it's working.

[@will_and_rory]

I knew my wedge idea had something to it ;) just needed sprinkling with some mad scientist genius from Ladi. On another note, where's Millie?!

[@bigbird2100]

Great video 👍 Nice solution if you need a small powerful drive have a look at car wiper motors!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thank you. I considered it as well for the threaded rod option.

[@bigbird2100]

@@ladiandmargaret Your solution was ace amazing what modern electronic motors can do on a size power output!

[@3DPrismaPrint]

Good job 👍🏼

[@airchie2]

Great video guys, looking forward to seeing the next one with the fully mocked-up prototypes! I noticed your car's licence plate was visible in the background at one point. Can't remember if you blanked it out when you the the VLOG on getting it so not sure of you're bothered about it or not? Keep up the good work! :)

[@susanscovill6817]

My Satchmo stretches right out upside down. He also plays fetch and comes when he’s called. Nooooo he’s a cat. I’ve been working on my actuator design too I think I’m close to dialing it in. Tweety is home. Get used to her chirping around the shop. Where’s Millie? Cheers from Canader eh!

[@Zaraqkhan1]

u must use Almunium frame, it will reduce some weight

[@SC-cr6vb]

Just an idea if you havent tried already... If you wanted to use the 'scissor lift' option, could you not flip the folding point and have the actuator in its 'extended' position when the solar panels are flat to the roof but when you operate or 'retract' the actuator it pulls the hinge and lifts the solar panels up? My theory is that its using more leverage then force? Love you guys all the way from England!!

[@AdrienRenaud]

Could you please add the relevant parts to your description. Such as, the actuators in this video. Where did you buy them? Do they have a website?

[@ladiandmargaret]

We did that already. Please see the parts list.

[@ab-ym3bf]

Hope you bought a good quality actuator. The ones coming from China will not last more then a year. I am on my second set for my home solar tracking system, and one has already broken down again. Average is around 1 year life span.

[@ladiandmargaret]

Depends how you stress them, how mounted they are, how waterproof (if) they are, how overloaded they are…Ours are from China as well and I bought heavy duty for a purpose. I’ll be waterproofing them later as well.

[@LilyWasHereMB]

Okay, this is at least 2 posts w/o Millie. You two are great but, I watch for Millie. Is she all right?

[@ladiandmargaret]

Millie is good, thanks for asking, Carl! We didnt get much footage with her the last few weeks because shes either napping in the bushes or busy hunting in the cornfields haha, dream cat summer! It's easy to capture this kitten because she's always around when we have the camera out lol

[@nefetirisiannephele5725]

Patent that ISH!!!

[@nick-hq]

hey, have you thought about electric tailgates kits? and also the way the they work? They work pretty much like on the dude's video, and are super stable even in the windy conditions no matter where you stop the tailgate while opening. The highest backforce is indeed when the actuators start opening the tailgate and there is no "scissors" mechanism, the struts are attached almost parallel to the tailgate itself. I have them on one of my cars and actually installed the *trusted* aliexpress kit to another car. Really strong and stable. Try to mimic the mechanics of it to see how it will work for solar panels.

[@gopnik638]

The first good idea i came up with is to use a worm drive or worm gear, while one of the gear is fixed to the stealbeam holding the solar panels That should also allow a quiet flat desigm Is there a reason why that was no option? It may cost alot of torque to get it going but to prevent that u could use a finer thread on the rotating thread

[@ladiandmargaret]

It’s a complicated mechanism so at this point you just need to work on it. I think it required more material making it heavier.

[@gopnik638]

@@ladiandmargaret thats certainly true I just finished my university exams and watched ur new video about your solution for the solarpanel-roof mechanism. U nailed it! It must have been really hard to find the sweetspot between weight,height and stability. I am looking forward to see that bad boy of a camper van completly finished!! Thanks for taking the time and best wishes from germany

[@lawrencetarget3059]

I think the sliding out option is still doable ? As you could also tilt the panels once they have slid out very easily by a disc in the middle at either end of the panel with very little force as it's balanced and the good thing is you could panel the entire roof, getting 1000w plus and then still have 2 fans, a AC unit and a viewing deck underneath the panels ?

[@jansmejkal8088]

I was so early, the video was only in 1080p when i clicked

[@ladiandmargaret]

Sorry, we publish in 1080p 😂

[@donnacox5283]

Missing Millie. New kitten is cute. Is something going on with Millie?

[@ladiandmargaret]

she's ok! It's been pretty hot out so she's been napping in the bushes more this week haha!

[@SanderStrijdhorst]

I think tilting your panel is only more efficient for such a short period each day, in my opinion it is hardly worth the trouble. In winter the sun goes from east to west, in summer in large parts of Europe the sun goes from north-east to north-west (the more north you go, the more north the sun comes up. Tilt is only efficient the short period when the sun is coming somewhere perpendicular to your tilt, while for the rest you better just leave it flat (or you should arrange a mechanism with al ball bearing).

[@ladiandmargaret]

Data actually speak otherwise.

[@SanderStrijdhorst]

Seen over an entire day in Czechia, sunrise till sunset, keeping your van stationary, what is the gain in percentage over leaving them flat on top of your van? (Although in winter I have less of a doubt of its usefulness, because of the sun coming up less from the north and staying lower.)

[@ladiandmargaret]

We showed a graph in one of the videos. It’s a big difference.

[@tomaskato834]

I agree with Sander. The whole lifting construction is only dead weight. Maybe active sun tracker brings more power, but tilting barely... If you want more power ? Add more panels, better panels, more batteries and charge them with car alternator. Tilting in summer is useless, in winter is good only for clening snow :-) There is a BIG difference between theory and practice, ask someone with FV about winter

[@jaredtrenholme9884]

Great follow up video guys. Loving the videos and how engaging your videography is. Will you be releasing plans on the solar lift system ?

[@katj8120]

🖤🖤

[@jamiemac3727]

If you have 4 panels could you not have 2 tilting to the left and 2 to the right that way as the day gets later and the sun moves to the other side

[@joshuacobb6319]

Awesome activity Margaret! I am looking at doing the same thing this summer. I'm glad you figured out your tilting solar. I forgot you had actuators to use. My recommendation last week was more rudimentary using a manual lifting force to push the panels up. And then the gas struts would finish pushing the Penelope to max height. But great job! Also, do you think you could ship the cat to Germany?

[@ladiandmargaret]

We aimed for automated mechanism and looks like it is doable! No shipping living creatures 😂

[@thedistinguished5255]

20 minutes passed like 5

[@VictorSylva]

Finally

[@ladiandmargaret]

hope you liked the video!

[@VictorSylva]

Oh yes I did.... my wife was like “I don’t get why you are so invested in these guys, it’s not like you are ever gone wanna build a van...... I told her it’s the principle and work ethics for me.... the idea of learning to always look for a solution to every problem.... thinking outside he box” love you guys.... Ladi is my DIY hero

[@ladiandmargaret]

That’s cool to hear!

[@rachidben4833]

pneumatic cylinder or spring hinge. 👍🏼

[@ladiandmargaret]

I bet there would be a way to make it as well.

[@jupiteradventure5284]

What a fascinating thought. Default in the up position and pull it back down closed against the spring?

[@gregjohnson9051]

Did you consider a rack& pinion at the hinge point?

[@zanetamcgaha1900]

What about the “scoop” windmills on a van. Since you are driving this would create power….? Check them out

[@patrickkayser]

You can get energy directly from your engine (alternator charges the lead battery), why would you waste energy on creating even more drag. because of its height and less than flattering aerodynamics a van is already a lott less efficient than a coupe. With EVs this is even more pointless as each percentile higher CW costs a couple of kilometers. and even if you are stationary, i doubt small windmills about 3m off the ground will generate a lot of power.

[@davidmcclean8872]

That steel tubing and bar you are using looks very heavy. Would using aluminium/aluminum section not be lighter but still have enough strength? Mind you, that steel is free!

[@stahliclaassen6466]

I think they were just using the steel to test how much weight it could handle. If you watch the preview for the next episode, he is pulling some lightweight metal out saying that it should hold 4 solar panels. (I could be completely wrong though.)

[@ladiandmargaret]

You are right, that’s what I did. I wish I knew how to weld aluminum. I’m choosing 20x50x1,5 metal for the whole length of the van to support all the solars. It’s around 5kg. I’m going for metal just because I’ll be welding great amount of custom parts and all the welds must be very strong.