Mounting Renogy Solar Panels on our DIY Van Roof Rack | Van Build Series (Ep. 4)

We're continuing our van build series! In this episode, we mount 400W (2x200W Renogy Solar Panels) onto our DIY Unistrut/Superstrut roof rack and install a cable entry gland.
If you find this video helpful/entertaining, please let us know by liking it and leaving us a comment :)
We plan to install our passenger swivel seat in our NEXT episode of our #vanbuild series, so stay tuned and subscribe to our channel. Thanks for supporting us!
[Renogy] Save 7% off Renogy products: 73renogy.refr....
Chapters:
0:00: Intro and overview of hardware/Renogy solar kit
1:08: How we plan to mount our solar panels to our roof rack
1:52: Up on the roof - measurements & channels
2:33: Mounting solar panels
4:03: Final mount setup - explanation of what we changed
5:24: Overview of entry gland
6:29: Step-by-step walkthrough of installing an entry gland
8:38: Solar wiring
11:32: Final product and outro
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Follow us on IG: itstimetocrunch ( / itstimetocrunch )
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For Solar Panel Installation:
-Renogy 400W 12V General Off-Grid Solar Kit (www.renogy.com...)
----The full kit we ordered included: Solar Panel: 2*200W 12V Rigid Solar Panel, Charge Controller: Rover 40A MPPT W/ LCD & BT1 Module, Accessory Set: Premium
----Note: we don't have a code, but if you search around, you should be able to find 10% off!
-(2) Renogy 200W PV (58.70” x 27.5”)
-Premium Accessory Set
-(8) Renogy Z Brackets
-(8) Renogy 1/4” Nuts/Bolts/Split Ring Washer
-(1) 10' Unistrut/Superstrut cut into (2) 5' long cross arms (see our roof rack video)
-(16) SS 1/4” 1” Hex bolts
-(16) SS 1/4” Lock Washers
-(16) 1/4” Strut Nuts
-(16) 1/2” Saddle Washers (if using brackets upright)
-Larger diameter ensures the 1/4” bolt aligns with the strut nut
-(16) 1/2” Strut Washers (if using brackets upside down)
-Larger diameter ensures the 1/4” bolt aligns with the strut nut
For mounting cross arms to main roof rack:
-(4) 3/8” 1” Galvanized Bolts
-(4) 3/8” Galvanized Split Ring Washer
-(4) 3/8” 1” Galvanized Washer
-(4) 3/8” Strut Nut
For Entry Gland:
-BougeRV Entry Gland (amzn.to/3vAnMLp) - Includes (3) Phillips self tapping screws
-Dicor Lap Sealant (amzn.to/3SpJQBj)
-1/2” Butyl Tape (amzn.to/3vAnTGP)
Tools:
-Milwaukee M12 Cordless Driver
-Socket Wrench + sockets
-Crescent Wrench
-Driver Bits
-Caulk Gun
Our Amazon Van Conversion Product List: www.amazon.com...
- Full disclosure: if you click on the Amazon links above and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. We will only ever recommend products we actually use. Thanks for supporting us!
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Music: www.bensound.com
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#diyvanbuild #diyvan #vanconversion #vanbuild #vanbuildseries #renogy #solarpanels #solarpanelsinstallation

[@gregmgm06]

Looks like a great job on the solar set up! I especially like the Unistrut/ Superstrut pieces. Definitely gives me ideas for solar on my truck shell.

[@itstimetocrunch]

Thank you, it has been working out very well for us!

[@bazailzb4737]

That’s great info thank you will chek out your other tubes,happy trails Man🤘

[@hellolaurenstone]

Did you use 12g or 14g unistruts?

[@itstimetocrunch]

We used 12g!

[@bazailzb4737]

Hi looking good,how did you attach the unistrut to your van🤘

[@itstimetocrunch]

Thank you! We ended up purchasing brackets from DIYvan and they have been well worth it! Others have used 2x2 square aluminum or pivot joint mounts. On Transits, there’s a 5° slope that you have to deal with to keep everything square. We have a full video on the roof rack on our channel if you’d like to check it out!