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

[@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

[@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.

[@robtrueblood853]

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

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks Rob!

[@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. 👍

[@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!

[@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.

[@PureMocro]

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

[@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

[@TessGlimmerveen]

Loving this extra long video 😁!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Yay so happy to hear it, Tess!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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..

[@waynenicholls6362]

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

[@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!

[@ellipszilonq]

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

[@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

[@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🙏

[@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 🤲

[@dizheller2101]

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

[@terristenacious2279]

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

[@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!!

[@divekatdreaming]

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

[@EatSleepVan]

I thought about creating a lift for the solar panels 3 years ago, and then quickly gave up. But this is the solution, well done! Awesome engineering

[@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.

[@wrayxphoto]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I watched your vids over a year ago when I had just bought a Vw T4 swb. I realized very quickly that I should have bought a bigger van. I was looking for a Vw lwb crafter and found a cheap Vw Lt35 lwb campervan. Though the interior had been replaced by someone not skilled at woodwork and has to be completely redone. But I saw your amazing aluminium tilt solar rig and then this more comprehensive instruction from your initial build. I too have a couple of sun windows and would have to build my frame more like a roof rack than low profile in order to open them when the solar array is down. I absolutely love the new modification of the locking on the frame with an angle piece. real genius brother. You guys are so inspiring. Again thank you so much...Ray

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@paulasosahdez]

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

[@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.

[@Alberto_Abad]

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

[@keriezy]

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

[@alisinwanderland]

Unbelievable!!! The brain and technical skills Ladi has are ridiculous!!!

[@ladiandmargaret]

❤️❤️

[@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.

[@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

[@sufianmohdyusof652]

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

[@catherinelmeyer6248]

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

[@katfran492]

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

[@auxbuilt4190]

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

[@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

[@afroborilafemme]

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

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks for the love!!

[@VKBKK]

Omg 37mins of watching Ladi the genius, artist & craftmanship at work...awesome💪 love from Thailand 🇹🇭

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thank you

[@pablotroncoso3101]

Now I know what must be living in the same years with the great Leonardo!!! Ladi: you are such a genius! Congrats. And Margareth: Your skills to catch & edit these videos are superb!!! Congrats to both of you!

[@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.

[@MagnumiPad]

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

[@alexfilippidis]

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

[@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.

[@colinbarton3960]

That man is a very smart cookie. Always makes me smile 😊. Love these videos guys, keep them coming. 👍 CB

[@WileHeCoyote]

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

[@ladiandmargaret]

So glad you felt it too!!

[@petefletcher984]

Hi Ladi and Margaret, Myself and wife Jan found your channel about a week ago , just finished number 17 of the conversion, great job both of you. I have got to say that your solution to your solar lift was very impressive, top marks and cannot wait for seeing the completed motorhome. All our love from the UK, Pete and Jan xx

[@caseyjones94]

Engineering and skill level? GENIUS. 👏👏👏

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks for watching, Andrew!

[@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

[@paulcurtis5496]

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

[@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!

[@bryanwhitehouse1078]

Ladi is one of the most skilled engineers i have ever seen

[@neboder]

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

[@markcoleman3752]

For us mechanically inclined people your videos are awesome showing every detail just amazing I wish we all had mines like yours on building things keep up the great work

[@greeneyedggirl]

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

[@kendewachter1614]

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

[@asmera4547]

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

[@managainsthouse]

I’ve been waiting for this since you first mentioned you were going tilted solar. Watched this 3 times to soak up the details. It’s an outstanding video, explaining the phases and giving context with time lapses. Pioneering engineering. Gonna be a good while before anyone tries this in 80/20 ally.

[@ollydogtravels9465]

all ready done it

[@kjoshua125]

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

[@ladiandmargaret]

All about the cats! 😅

[@tabbypodger3923]

I just binge watched all the videos today and I'm so impatient I can't wait for the rest to come out this is the best van I've ever seen

[@rascalsmom05]

Honestly sad when it was over! One of the most entertaining things I’ve watched! Way to go Ladi and thank you for sharing your process.

[@samanthaelliott9487]

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

[@ariseas]

Ladi's skills are completely mind-blowing !!!! And the video editing ?!?! Come on! This is incredible content.

[@poncho6784]

Congrats from the US on your brilliant engineering, mad skills, and fun video talents!

[@deewhitman2812]

Ladi…I want you to stay safe and healthy. Please wear eye protection at all times. (The drill press.) Love your videos Margaret and Ladi’s genius and mad skills. Hey from Canada.

[@hallieissetfree]

Didn't even realize this video was over 40 minutes long. Truly amazing to see the dream of this solar lift come to life! Beyond impressive, Ladi is a genius engineer

[@suepersinger7247]

Hello from Wisconsin. Ladi is amazing. His skill and the ability to design the pieces for your very custom van build is outstanding. So looking forward to the finished van.

[@Hozomean]

Ladi is a genius. I can't get enough of this. So well done!

[@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.

[@kai-uweheinz]

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

[@neilvend]

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

[@Khalinakhe]

That's one very neat job Ladi! Make sure to stress test it without solar panels to take into account wind gusts! That's a lot of surface area. Really, tie a rope to the thing and both of you pull until you rock the van, if anything gives, it's best it gives now. You know how it is, building it the first time is the hardest! Great job once again.

[@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 🤟🏾

[@Nickle314]

The home made mill - very cute.

[@richardclark8520]

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

[@jackelpubs2728]

Seeing that little wheel role down in that last scene is everything 😊 Congratulations y’all!

[@KishanKumar-rs8sx]

Love from India 🇮🇳!!! Best and intelligent people that I love and admire!!!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks so muchB

[@evolutionvans]

The self locking mechanism is the icing on the cake!! I hate having to remember to lock the two pins on my tilting system... NICE JOB LADI!!

[@graffitisoftwerks]

Thank you for some great inspirational ideas, I bought a Chevy Express 157 Mini schoolbus and I am about to start the conversion. Cheers.

[@jentommyontheroad8089]

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

[@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

[@manuelgomes3421]

Just one word, OUTSTANDING!

[@commuterbranchline8132]

Well done Ladi, you definitely got the prize!

[@ashleyvandokkum]

Ladi needs to patten all of this! I know the time/energy to build these would probably not be worth what people would pay for them, but if you could sell this to a mass producer, these could become a van life staple! AirMax fans, dometic fridges, and Ladi’s tilting solar panels on every van/camper.

[@unkawill7077]

Dude. Mad Skills in the shop.

[@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🙃

[@brunovanclemen7584]

The last shift of the lock is fabulous!

[@ianhoughton3349]

The boys is a genius but we missed seeing you in the vlog Margaret. Well, done

[@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

[@nicolawibbz7182]

Ladi really is a wizard!!

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Terrific result Well done on the ingenuity 👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks for sharing

[@sandygraetz5166]

Wow wee hat a video! Love you guys…Margaret you have found yourself a mad crazy genius 🤪in Ladi…. What a mind! So good to see you work out what you needed this to do and win!😀

[@Magie7079]

ridiculous how good this works!

[@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.