NIGHTMARE Solar Linear Actuator's Instal

We decided to fit solar actuators to our camper van solar panels so we could raise them with the flick of a switch was a total nightmare
🔴 Check out or tilting solar video here • An EASY Solution To Ma...
fitting the solar actuators drove me crazy so many times but in the end, they worked out just fine and will allow us to get more power from the sun's free power.
#vanconversion #vwcrafterconversion #urbanvanlife
ECO FLOWS WEBSITE uk.ecoflow.com...
ECO FLOW RIVER PRO EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station 720Wh amzn.eu/d/a16pAAh
Actuator controller ebay.us/dxZl7G
Linear Actuator's ebay.us/HVwdDG
wicks middle bracket www.wickes.co....
cable gland amzn.to/3bCa2WK
🔴 SUBSCRIBE FOR WEEKLY VIDEOS
www.youtube.co....
🔴 MERCH
shop.spreadshi...
🔴 OFFICIAL WEBSITE
www.urbanvanli...
🔴 CHECK OUT MY AMAZON STORE
where you'll find all the van gear, upgrades, and all the stuff we use in the van
www.amazon.co....
🔴 DOWNLOAD ECAMM FOR LIVE STREAMING www.ecamm.com/...
🔴 DOWNLOAD TUBEBUDDY FOR FREE www.tubebuddy....
________________________________________________________________
🔴 Some of the music we use is from Music by CreatorMix.com
you can sign up for free bellow
/ @creatormix
creatormix.com/
________________________________________________________________
EPIDEMIC SOUND MUSIC VIDEOS www.epidemicsound.com/referral/0sqaby/
DOWNLOAD TUBE BUDDY FREE www.Tubebuddy....
________________________________________________________________
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter - / theurbanexplor2
Instagram - / urban_vanlife
⚠️ Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Also as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases also at no extra cost to you.⚠️

[@UrbanVanlife]

🔴 Check out or tilting solar video here www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zAuM...

[@user-fs4fd3gv3r]

You already have a voice activated system for tilting the panels.. it's called Emma lol

[@user-fs4fd3gv3r]

You already have a voice activated system for tilting the panels.. it's called Emma lol

[@paleogeology9554]

Get yourself a driver board like thhe ESP-32 or Rasberry Pie and you could program them to even go down and lock with small solenoids. Dont get discouraged, you have a very nice prototype. With alittle finishing and some add ons your system can easily be controlled by your phone, tablet or even a control panel inside that will give ya the voltage your bringing in, the pannels would auto move to the best angle ect... all these seamingly tough things are EASY to do with those driver boards and all the mods, motors ect you can now easily get

[@LVNITUPM8]

Instead of putting 3 actuators you should have just left it at the middle one and added aluminium angle line or chanel along the back of the solar panels so they don't bend In the middle

[@WillsWhereabouts]

Eyyyy if you ever need a hand or some advice and tips on how to do something I’m your man! 😂😂 Glad you got it all sorted and working because it is a bloody cool feature to have ☀️

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hello son, just watched your recent upload and I think we will pass on the advice and tips, but just for now, you are doing good though and we are both proud of you 👍

[@philbrooke-little7082]

The thing that screamed at me was the hard shading the sticky up brackets will put on the panels as the sun moves round. 1/2 of one cell shaded can lose you half the output of the panel particularly marked in direct sunlight on non cloudy days.

[@jockspice]

First time watching one of your vids and immediately subscribed 😁 Great honest project and you've paved the way so the rest of us don't cock up! I don't mind the power bank stuff, it's the way ahead. Looking forward to many more vids and binge watching the old ones 👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hi and welcome! Thanks for joining our crazy neighbourhood, we do say things how we see it even if we get ourselves into a bit of trouble from time to time! Thanks for the commenting bud!

[@johnbrownboots9884]

A lot of cost and effort to have electric motors pushing the panel up. You could use a long alloy telescopic pole. Still have to climb a ladder to tie down the thumb wheels.

[@UrbanVanlife]

That’s what we swapped over from, the reason for the actuators is so we can control the angel of the tilt easier

[@r1ckatkinson]

Thanks Neil, I was wondering about the angles and offsets for making this work, so you've probably saved me a lot of trial and error. (Keep up the good work)

[@Chris-ut6eq]

Thanks for the honest thoughts. ....am I glad I've done it, no! LOL. Hope the added power over time makes you happier during your journeys!

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks Chris, this one really tested our patience but got there eventually 😂😂

[@IslandMusings]

Love the fact that you film the fails too. It's all a learning process.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Everyone has to learn somewhere and we don't always get it right first time so its better to be honest about it and show how things can go wrong because it could help other people!!

[@Reaper4367]

You pair are Gold! Cheers for making me smile.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks for watching

[@chrisrothwell69]

I just love watching your relationship play out on the telly.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Nearly wasn’t a relationship left after this one 😂😂😂😂

[@chrisrothwell69]

@@UrbanVanlife Gladly very much doubt that. I had a v heavy week, you 2 had me crying with laughter.

[@PECorbit]

Sorry the install caused you so much trouble Neil but it was still a great video just to watch you figure out ways to solve all the problems it had! I guess this is just one of those 'live and learn' experiences.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Every day is a school day with us two 😂😂 But it’s always good to learn new things, inwards and upwards!!!

[@adafoe7350]

Great educational video, love your style of presentation with a wonderful and beautiful interaction of how a relationship should be like.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hi and thank you 🙏

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

I think it was a good investment. Having panels angled correctly makes a big difference. I would like to fit these.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks Chris, we agree that having the panels tilted definitely helps get more efficiency from the panels

[@madforit9661]

Watch out Ant and Dec we have a funny duo. Great video guys

[@GregBurghart]

Hope you got your tilting solar working. I have a 2015 Sprinter 170 with 1020 Watts of solar on a motorized lift that has worked flawlessly for over 2 years and DEFINITELY is worth the effort for the lift. I can produce 2-3x more power daily by tilting, which is especially handy in winter months. The key to troublefree motorized lifts is calculating the proper lift mount angle and good mechanical design.

[@UrbanVanlife]

This video shows the full set up working buddy . It all works perfect

[@mnvm-videos]

Nice video Sir. a lot of details, great. I have one suggestion, there is a good chance sometimes you may forget to remove the Safty lock before raising the panels. please come up with a plan on that. good luck!

[@Alivefrom45]

Glad to see you finally got them working.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Us too, it was getting a bit emotional for a while there!

[@kalef1234]

Nice vid, glad you made all the mistakes so I don't have to! Pretty straightforward for the functionality it provides

[@UrbanVanlife]

Oh man and did I make them all lol . Good luck buddy

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

In the long run I think you'll enjoy the ease of use with the actuators, ass long as they last. Great vid guys 👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks buddy it’s much easier than getting up a ladder every single time to prop them up 😂😂😂

[@Witteringtrucker]

I got an Ecoflow River Pro sent to review and its simply BRILLIANT!!!!!

[@UrbanVanlife]

Great bit of kit!!!

[@kevingalloway9338]

A lot of work went into that, hopefully you get more energy out of the panels. Brilliant

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yes 🙌 they work great and yes we getting all the solar!

[@ian9963]

Waiting for an update video with solar test when in down position and up position, pls. Now you are an expert can you fit them to my Motorhome 🤪

[@UrbanVanlife]

We tested them at the weekend 150% more solar with them tilted and if you want me to fit them for you I charge £1500 per hour but comes with free fudge ….. bought from the local Poundland…. Hopefully this price puts people off we are willing to go lower at £2000 per hour with no fudge…. Hope this helps 🤪🥜

[@cliftonmassey3143]

Why not use one actuator between the two panels with a support beam prevent the panels from flexing? Also why not use a electronic locking device to secure the panel in the down position?

[@UrbanVanlife]

One still left us with a wobble in it we did try one, we also tried it with a bad in the middle but till wasn’t right, and for us manually securing them was a fail safe way, even if it means we still have to get up the ladder

[@johnarmstrong6242]

Brilliant video I love your honesty about the fails and you's provide quality humorous content keep them coming

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hi John thanks for the nice comment, sometimes things don’t go how you think they will and we think it’s important to show the fails too as we aren’t professionals and if it helps someone not do what we did then that’s a win for us!

[@B.Walker.]

Still alot cheaper than wills blinds.. I love you Neil x

[@UrbanVanlife]

This made us smile I Love You Too!

[@GimpyCamper]

I can understand… I rigged an actuator on a lawnmower trail once and there was a lot more trigonometry involved than you would think, also said actuator that was rated for outdoor use only lasted a year

[@mr-biz]

The motor goes on the top of the linear actuator so water ingress into the actuator gear cannot happen. I found out the hardway. My solar tracker was static (not on a van) so I made a frame that moves and then put the panels in it. You should use one actuator per object that you are lifting.

[@mickwolf1077]

You could support both panels together with a length of aluminum angle across the top edges, also instead of actuators what about those chain type window winders for houses? where the chain only bends one way and could be adapted with a geared motor. That would be quite secure in wind in up or down positions and would be low profile.

[@UrbanVanlife]

You could support them with 1 but the slightest bit of wind and the thing would buckle on its self . Having 3 makes it super strong and also makes it so not just one actuator Is doing all the work

[@teuscftp]

Ladi & Margret has a channel and they have solved it so it even locks in safe in down mode..

[@RockyMtnGobblers]

Looks like the wind will get under your solar panels while driving and tear it up, I hope not, I found your video helpful, thanks.

[@UrbanVanlife]

No mate not a problem to be honest . And even more so now with Then TOTALY hidden inside the mule rack

[@xconsultancyuk8838]

You two are lovely ! Well done !

[@garywalker3818]

YOU GOT THERE IN THE END GOOD BLOG A GEN KEEP THEM COMING AND YOU MAC ME 😊😊😊😊😊GARY FROM CREWE 👍👍👍👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks Gary, took. While but made it through and eventually got there… may have a few more white hairs now though!

[@MrCPPG]

Yes, realizing that the actuator cannot rest at horizontal but rather an angle is a revelation if you have never used them before. I would have opted for one actuator and stiffened the panel assembly with aluminum binding plates on the end. But in the end you got it working which is all that matters. I think the video is more helpful because you also showed mistakes thus helping others avoid them.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thank you and yes we show mistakes so it hopefully helps others to not do the same thing!

[@davidbloomfield4135]

In the end mate it looks great, but i think we all felt your pain in that video....well done mate

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks buddy, everyday is definitely a school day!!

[@ysesq]

nice Linear Actuators

[@BuiltbyD]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I figure you should know now. Those linear actuators will get out of synch with each other. As they age, they will slow down, each at different rates. That will put your panels in a bind and likely damage them. Keep a close eye on them every time you use them. Additionally, they can't handle outdoor use. Moisture will get in the motors, gearcases and the RF receiver and cause havoc. I use 4 to lift my pickup truck topper. I built a switchbox so I could quickly disable one or more while a slow one or more catches up. They are inside the topper, shielded from rain and still only last a year or two. Don't let the challenges discourage you; cheers for giving it a go!

[@kroozer5215]

Really nice job

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks kroozer, got there in the end!

[@rogerrabbit6522]

16 minutes in. I'm thinking you need a sprung closer latch similar to a car bonnet that you can release when needed, a latched pin solenoid may work for the release pin but if you are climbing up to unscrew the securing bolts you can do it manually. That will give you that initial lift you need.

[@UrbanVanlife]

What if it fails and springs open . Then it’s good bye solar

[@daz.r1994]

Great job.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@anthonyellis1409]

Love it Neil and Emma.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks buddy, took a bit of timer but we got there in the end!

[@guywhoknows]

Cantilever. Single actuator. Slide bracket. Panel rails. Done.

[@markmcculloch2570]

From South Africa. What an enjoyable and entertaining video. First watch and I am now subscribed 😂

[@DavidLaFerney]

No project ever goes quite as planned on the first go. If you actually use the camper off grid and it works for you - in the long run you’ll be glad you did it.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks David, we do a lot of off grid camping and so far so good (touch wood) 😊😊

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid neil and emma on the channel thanks lee

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thank you Lee 😀😀

[@SparkysTravels1512]

Should have asked DIY Guru Dan, lol, good job well done.

[@UrbanVanlife]

We know NO such guru 😂😂😂

[@Boppa1260]

It was wills fault. 🤣👍🏻

[@aberdeendeltaforce]

Love your honesty, absolutely brilliant your not just another wanky family friendly channel. I personally have no intention of tilting my panels, with 300ah of lithium batts, 2 victron B2B chargers and 480 watts of flat laid solar Im way overpowered, never dropped below 85%, even in the depths of winter. 👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

To be honest we only did it because we saw it on someone else's van, but had we known what we know now probably would have just left the old system as was to save on the extra white hairs gained lol!

[@UrbanVanlife]

just seen the second scomment mate and it totally goes again youtube community guidelines , we cant let comments like that go at al or we would risk losing the channel , and to be honest wether its a quote from some one or not its not something id personlay put in some ones comments section , we like to have a laugh but there is a point when your going to offend some one just cos you feel like it and we aint in to that to be honest , please keep comments respectfully within the terms and conditions of youtube (neil)

[@EricPeelMusic]

With al that spare electricity, why don’t don’t you aid the diesel heater with a small electric space heater? Pollute Earth less?

[@aberdeendeltaforce]

@@EricPeelMusic because in my opinion the carbon agenda is nonsense created by MSM and elites to control our movements. The only thing that will solve pollution to the earth is mass de population, starting with those billionaires at the top who have exploited every single natural resource this planet had to offer.

[@EricPeelMusic]

I’m not talking about carbon emissions or greenhouse gases. I’m talking about diesel exhaust as well as an ICE’s consumption of oxygen. There are many toxic poisons and particulates that are emitted from an ICE. If you think diesel exhaust is safe or beneficial for Earth then go ahead and run a diesel engine with exhaust fed into your garage or home with no ventilation and remain in there without a breathing apparatus. Everyone knows this is deadly, dark stuff. Use your common sense, instead of making this a political thing.

[@leesylvester8713]

I still would have run a rail on the leading edge of the panels just for stability and looks. Nice work.

[@UrbanVanlife]

No need to be honest and with out new roof rack it would have had to have come off .

[@010Tracer]

NICE JOB ! maybe could use gas struts to spread and damping the movement ?

[@khill1101]

Just a thought. You could've used a single actuator if you would have mounted the actuator parallel to the rack on it's own aluminum track and made a set of "X" pattern sliding bars. Picture a one sided scissor lift. Each end of the X is labeled 1 through 4. 1 is hard mounted to the front most solar panel. 2 is mounted in a sliding track mounted under the rear solar panel. 3 is hard mounted to the aluminum track the actuator is mounted to at the forward end of the vehicle (opposite the actuator). 4 is sliding in the aluminum track closest to the actuator. When you extend the actuator it will scissor the "X" pattern bars. The hard mounted connection points (1&3) would be limiting the height (1) as well as providing something sturdy to push against (3) to allow the mechanism to close. The sliding mounted connections (2&4) will allow the "X" to raise up off the roof in turn pushing the panels up. Something similar to this. www.zoro.com/dayton-scissor-lift-cart-1000-lb-cap-31-12w-63l-4zc18/i/G1107784/?msclkid=50e8bc45acbb185ce575d8cc5862e044&gclsrc=3p.ds

[@lyfandeth]

100 watts is just the new USB3 standard. USB3.2, I think. Also called USB3 Power Delivery. (PD)

[@awesomusmaximus3766]

I have three Diy 2.4 KW tracking arrays two of them using optic feedback actuators

[@ToddlerVan]

Aw man, what a nightmare! Nothing worse than when your ball deep in something and you just need to grind it out until its sorted, Well done for getting there in the end man, think i'll just stick with manually tilting solar though😮

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yeah it was one of those situations where it was not going to defeat me no matter what! It may of taken more time and money than I wanted to but I won in the end! VICTORY was MINE!!!

[@ToddlerVan]

@@UrbanVanlife ha! lap of honor required sir

[@marks-0-0]

Neil, it might be worth checking out the channel "Ladi & Margaret" as they built a powered tilting panel system.

[@UrbanVanlife]

We will defo give it a watch thanks 🙏

[@adamhempshell5429]

I was going to say the same there van build is a bit slow but they are profectionists

[@karlospappy8908]

Nice job guys if a little noisy. you did well to find a weather window to do all that work given the amount of wind we seem to have had this spring/summer. I think people are getting fed up with power banks being pushed mainly because a KZbinr will promote one make raving about how good it is and then 6 months later a different one which is why I am unsubscribing from such channels and dipping in and out when I feel like it. All the best K.

[@UrbanVanlife]

without companies giving KZbinrs things like power banks a lot of channels could not survive. it takes time and gear to make and create videos, and them more time to edit do thumbnails and everything else that goes on with them, but then as soon as people see paid promotion they get upset. the way i look at it is no one ever moans to the BBC as to why they run adverts, but it's ok to mention it on a youtube channel, it personally does not bother me at all, and yes there are a lot of power banks and stuff out there and it constantly changes, but that's life the tech on gadgets is changing by the week and that's why there always seems to be a lot of people doing it , on average i spend about 7 days and a good 5 to 10 hrs a day on creating content editing and doing everything else that is required to have a youtube channel if you times that by 4 then tats a lot of hrs a month and for all that time our channel gets about £300 off youtube which when you think of it is about 1000% lower than minimum wage, I get that it annoys people but people put a lot of time into a passion to grow there channels and the way I look at it its a little bonus that normally helps people

[@spiritzweispirit1st638]

Thank you for the mechanical experience to help others out, by saving them head scratching time! My thoughts are, the faster power gains from the tilt, on a day the weather changes to darker later on, made it worth the gains!😶👍⚡🌦️ ... I personally would think of how i could mount it all on a weather sealed framed 4'x8' and then on a spinner table and antenna motor, so no matter what direction your parked , you can always be at your most optimum angle!⚡🌞

[@EricPeelMusic]

Those are not outdoor rated. It will quickly get gunked up with dirt and potentially fall apart endangering others on the road. More importantly not designed to handle forces pulling upwards axially on it. Trust me, bad idea. Must at use a bearing or combination of bearings designed to handle axial loads in both directions.

[@Pugwash.]

I might have a go at this after all the other jobs!

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yes 🙌 Learn from our mistakes and you’ll do it in 30 mins 😂😂

[@theellmersadventures]

Hello hope your both ok and dolly and poppy great vid sorry I had to leave the live early but loved it lol all the best love from us all

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks Jamie and family we are all very well and just about recovered from the live stream, can’t believe it went in for 2 hours 😂😂😂

[@theellmersadventures]

@@UrbanVanlife 😂😂😂 omg you must of been enjoying it lol I had to leave early as kids for school lol

[@functionalvanconversion4284]

Nice work!

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks!

[@iaincook2493]

love that glasses push. Hey from Texas but Blackburn born.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hellllloooo!!! Bit of a difference Blackburn to Texas how long have you been state side?

[@waveydaveydiver]

Great video both! Automation, motorisation, remote control is awesome. Maybe gas struts like the ones they use on popup roofs would be the answer?

[@EricPeelMusic]

Super dangerous to work with and difficult to select appropriate force rating, for a novice builder.

[@raykeogh1972]

Great video, love the humour side of it, that's what I used to do when lecturing photography back in the day. Ive just bought the EF EcoFlow Delta Pro portable power station 3600W solar Generator. That will give me full electric like a house would have. I also have two 1000W jackery's which helps me NEVER to use EHU totally dependant. If in winter time I can go to any EV station and top it up under one hour. I can go off grid for life lol. subscribed and a RED hope you don't hold that against me. as I an typing this I am at Glide-rite on the Wirral just through the new tunnel expencive but worth i£1750 comes with 5 year warranty getting my Air suspension sorted, This helps me with getting on ferry's and over big rocks. Anyway thanks for sharing Ray K UK. YNWA.

[@andysteptoe6310]

Neil, after percevering for so long with that set up, will you now use it or, are you going to dismantle it?. Could you not maybe lift them manually & use some kind of wedge device to hold them up?. I love the way you innovate I really do, I do attempt the same but on a far lesser scale. Never give up, No retreat no surrender 👍👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hi Andy we did already have another system in place where we did lift them manually, but to answer you question we have already used them when we where away last week and today when I cleaned the roof and we intend to use them continually from now on!

[@stevehutton6055]

you guys are so smart and fun

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks Steve, although we do sometimes question the smarts, but we do try and just keep it light

[@theoteam4641]

Well done, ya things tend to cost more than we budget for. If you add a switch to the actuator that way it won’t come on as you drive, that’s what we did 😊

[@EricPeelMusic]

It should be engineered well enough to handle a 75mph (driving) wind load when raised anyway. Otherwise you endanger others on the road.

[@theoteam4641]

@@EricPeelMusic true, it’s more technical than people think. The switch would stop the actuators being live when driving as a safety feature

[@EricPeelMusic]

A manual switch is okay but it can easily be forgotten about before driving. Only way to ensure safety is adequate engineering, redundancy and eliminating human error during usage. An automated switch that turns off the system when lowered, which must be turned back on manually combined with a rack that can be safely tilted at highway speeds is probably the easiest way to ensure safety. Its fine to do fun DIY projects like this on one’s own time but encouraging others to do the same if not engineered properly isn’t responsible.

[@EricPeelMusic]

The upper pivots will block sunlight at almost every angle from the front and rear of your van. Block one cell and whole panel is blocked. Nice. Would have been better to raise the entire mechanism up a few inches.

[@robincastree]

Great your fails are our lessons. Thank you . Thank you

[@UrbanVanlife]

Allll the fails . But hey we all but human

[@PK_Blinder]

My bank balance and my sanity doesn't need this video....😲

[@Paulsvanlife]

🤣🤣🤣

[@PK_Blinder]

@@Paulsvanlife Ahhhh the instigator... 😉

[@UrbanVanlife]

Blame MR PAUL for this one 😂😂😂

[@PK_Blinder]

@@UrbanVanlife I made the mistake of researching the word Bifacial..... 🤔🙄

[@NorthernersonTour]

Goblin in the corner i’m not surprised you didn’t to have a mark moment on them ladders them neil 🤣🤣🤣🥾🥰🥰 vlog far to technical for me but i love the panels going up and down and yes just blame paul 🤣

[@UrbanVanlife]

Cheeky isn’t he Lisa, I will not lie there where moments where I thought about ways of injuring him 😂😂😂

[@NorthernersonTour]

@@UrbanVanlife 🤣🤣🤣i bet you did em that little bungle bear 🤣🤣

[@markmangan845]

Great vid again guys 😊👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thank you Mark!

[@tony35842]

use a cam link at the actuator to panel connection. the first couple of inches of actuator travel pushes the link to lift the panel. then the actuator will lift it directly. If you design the link correctly you can use it to lock the panel down.

[@EricPeelMusic]

Far too complicated for him.

[@timmayshevchenko8722]

Hey, i have been playing with same idea myself. What happens when you forgot to take the screws out and pressed the button for actuators to go up. Build a solenoid locking system and wire it with relay so the system will never work unless e-latch is off.

[@UrbanVanlife]

I’m honestly not that daft mate . Screws out then turn the system on then raise them . It’s kind of like driving away with the awning out something I’d never do

[@YankeeinSC1]

I sure wish I was fluent in what ever language this was filmed in. Certainly much inflection, subtle humor and innuendo, are lost in the translation via closed captions. On a serious note 25 years ago I built a hydraulically actuated aircraft hangar door for my hangar. It weighed 3 tons (about 6k US pounds). It has always worked flawlessly, virtually the entire side of the building swings open. Fast forward to today and now I find myself wanting a window in the house that operates the same way...which I plan to build (that's how I found your video here). Mine 10 foot by 6 foot (2 meter by 3.5 meter) window however, will use electric linear actuators instead of hydraulic rams like my hangar door design. Not my first rodeo. Might I suggest that the hurkey jerky motion of your installation is self induced? The rams should be anchored near the hinges NOT opposite them. Kind-or engineering 101, but I guess this is why us Yanks don't run out to purchase many Automobiles nor electronics built in the U.K.

[@UrbanVanlife]

It was filmed in scouse. They where Chinese products not English, it’s only engineering 101 if your an engineer, which we are not, but hey our automobile is a German brand … pretty sure plenty of Americans have sprinter vans … also German and just one quick question .. did it work in the end?…. We’ll answer that though … Yes it did and still going strong!

[@ianhadfield65]

Thanks for the vid. Be aware your address is readable .

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yer mistake in our part but hey what can ya do

[@joeabad5908]

You can stay..embraces the wife. Lovely..

[@UrbanVanlife]

Who’s wife is he embracing? Do I need to have words 😂😂😂😂 But we do love hugs 😍😍😍

[@dannyclark131]

You need to look at the development of solar panels which now use silicon beads rather than flat. No need to angle solar panels as the spherical nature of the beads means the angle of the sun should be irrelevant. Consider it like light entering a camera lens and distributed on to a focal point. Not sure what stage that is at but you shouold check.

[@Dirt-Diggler]

Cheers for that 👍 You've confirmed the route I've taken with panel tilt 🤔 gas struts and some rope 🤣 gas struts for the UP and rope for the DOWN, it's still a win for you guys 👍 cos i learnt from your mistake,, so i guess i win more cos you saved me money but you get the what i mean 🤔 i appreciate the honesty 😎 way better than the perfect life BS the internet usually force feeds us, THANKS GUY'S 👍😎👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hi ya! Yes that system you have sounds like a much cheaper and easier option, but we do like a channel over here 😂😂😊😊😊

[@anthonyellis1409]

BLOODY ACE idea though 👌 pal.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks Anthony!

[@kamranharandy3738]

Your patience and trial & paid off nicely - well done. Can I ask how the actuators are holding up after a year or so mounted in the British weather?

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thank you and they are still going strong 💪

[@user-fs4fd3gv3r]

Hope the actuators are reliable. If one stops working then it could damage a panel

[@UrbanVanlife]

So do we buddy… or Emma will be very miffed and we don’t want that!!!

[@ivecamperbuild_thomas4084]

You should of got the actuator with the motor on the side they are much stronger then the model you have and one in the centre would of lifted the 2 panels up on its own . Mine lift and turn and I have 4 ,120 watts all bolted together and they lift and turn to face the sun

[@UrbanVanlife]

The one actuator will easily lift up both Panels . But with the weight of the panels you still have a massive wobble in the wind ( that’s just science ) unless you frame the whole thing . Fitting 3 makes it as strong as a frame but a lot less weight .

[@ivecamperbuild_thomas4084]

I have 1 lifting 4 120watt panels which also turn to face the sun which are bolted down while I’m driving I also have a brake on them so when they are being lowered they don’t crash down but I don’t have the actuator fitted the way you have yours I think I have a few photos on my Instagram account if not I will put some up

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yer but with one in the middle there is nothing stoping a wobble in the wind or a breeze . . Like I said it works great and we wouldn’t change it now

[@BentleyOnTour]

Fab video Neil, I am looking forward to part 2 where you install a turntable under the panels so they align with the sun! 😁👍. Ps, thought I had subscribed as I keep bloody seeing your vids, every time I log on. Now I have 🙂👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hi Bentley on tour, Emma here …. Please stop giving him ideas we do NOT need any turn tables 😂😂😂😂

[@BentleyOnTour]

@@UrbanVanlife I don't know if it easier Emma but you could build one on under the van. Have air struts to lift it up. Simples 👍😁. Martin

[@HappyPlaceCamping]

Ok I'm going to agree with Em. I think it could be done in a tent. If someone really wants to pack it all with them and set it up and tear it down a lot. We may be doing tent stuff pretty soon. But we won't be packing all that stuff with us. We have one bluetti that we'll take. But we may very well take an ac unit and extension cord and hook up to an electric campsite. Cuz it's hot! I know solar can be great to have, but I feel like this is all such a pain to get hooked up and installed. Do you have enough sunlight over there to even bother with solar? I swear every video I watch from UK it's always cloudy. Strongly recommend you don't aaaaaahahaha! I'm going to take that advice and not do it LOL. Great video. You guys are always so entertaining.

[@UrbanVanlife]

I literally love your comments and I look forward to reading them and replying, really feel like we would have a great time if we ever got to meet up, and we would all be very well fed! Yes we do get enough sunlight to have solar, slightly less in the winter obviously but enough to keep us off grid for our adventures and keep our batteries nicely full, we even pull in off the moonlight on occasion! Hope you are all well!? Big hugs from us 🥰☺️🐾🐾

[@user-fs4fd3gv3r]

How about 1 actuator per panel so that if one breaksdown then the panels won't be twisted and damaged?

[@aberdeendeltaforce]

You know what they say about gingers……the rustier the roof, the wetter the basement 😂

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hhhhmmm …. Comment of the week??? 😂😂

[@user-cp1ze1hu3y]

That’s a gooder job Neil, if you can say it, it a word, I’m also dyslexic two and I know what you mean 👍🏻

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks Neil I knew someone would understand my thinking 😂😂

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

I see why you were stressed out now 🤯 you did well to stick with it and get it finished It works a treat I'm not sure if I'm gonna bother after watching that plava 🤣🤣🤣 crack video you guys 👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks buddy and the thing for anyone else doing it is they can see where we went wrong so it would be a lot easier for them!!!

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

@@UrbanVanlife what it's all about sharing and learning 👍 Tonight live stream was so funny loved it 🤣

[@ivanmccaffrey316]

I did think about that Neil. After seeing what you went through, I’m thinking flat for now. 😀

[@UrbanVanlife]

There was a lot of trial and error that’s to be sure!!! But got there in the end!

[@ivanmccaffrey316]

@@UrbanVanlife you sure did. Like me you won’t let it beat ya.

[@ivanmccaffrey316]

@@UrbanVanlife my main question is, when are you going to put the pop up flux capacitor on the roof?😂

[@b-ranw801]

Interesting to find someone whos done exactly what I'm looking to do. Only, I have the crazy idea to do it on my roof of the house. Main things I am concerned with is the constant electrical load on the actuators during the tilt for season long holdings. Is there any advantage from the cost of electricity to hold the panels up compared to the gained advantage of having that tilt? I'm sure if I did the math I could find the answer, but its nice to know the real world implications. Also, thinking about any wind blowing loads onto the panels while they're sticking up in the air. I'm sure the actuators wouldn't hold up over time in these conditions... idk

[@UrbanVanlife]

Good points . The actuates are a screw so they are never under a electrical load . Only when lowering them or putting them up . Other than that you can TOTALY turn off the electric to them and they stay put because if the screw they won’t move . But total nightmare if they were to fail your kind of stuck till you get another one . Hope this helps

[@b-ranw801]

@@UrbanVanlife That helps, thank you!

[@UrbanVanlife]

That’s great mate . Most think there kind of like a hydrolic kind of thing but there a screw . Which is a bonus cos it makes them a lot stronger

[@ivecamperbuild_thomas4084]

And the bonus was it free

[@UrbanVanlife]

Free ??? We paid for every part . But he suns free

[@MMMM2MMMM2MMMM]

I would have mounted the actuactor to the other side. This way the mount would be on the highest level of the PV panel. I would have but all panels on a strud before i would have mounted the actuators too. This would have made it stronger.

[@UrbanVanlife]

I didn’t but it works . And a lot of ppl woukd have done it there own way just like we did . The main thing is dose it work if so you won . Do yours work

[@MartinHoferBRASIL]

Hi, did you at the end glue the angles on the roof ? Weren't they fixed at the pole first ? What was the reason ? Thanks...

[@1981dasimpson]

i think if you had the actuator mounted the the same rail as the hinge then they would push out and up

[@DaisysOnTour]

Great job, still looks flippin impressive though!!!

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yer it kind of dose look cool as when it’s going up . Plus we get to controll the angle of the tilt . But oh my what a bloooddy faff that all was lol

[@Mad109R]

Ah but its always easier second time around 😉👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

This was probably 4th if I’m honest lol it really messed with my head this one . But hey stuck in there and you find a way ( many holes later )

[@MartinKennedy636]

I wouldn't even bother after seeing you with a nightmare thank you for show me not to do it

[@UrbanVanlife]

Lol I may have made it look harder

[@TheNiteinjail]

you should be using a folding scissor lift type mechanism imho

[@erinjuniorteague-suradi3196]

Love your work mate. 💪🏽

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks buddy, gotta have a go ain’t ya !!

[@stephenjobe9944]

It would probably be cheaper to consider the top of the van as a shaded area in terms of solar gain, the use of half-cut solar panels & microinverters or power optimisers is a cheeper, lighter & less labour intensive alternative.

[@thedicksons1284]

Great video as usual and I love your honestly. I've got 4 panels (2 each side) and I've made both sets hinged so at least one set can be angled to the sun if I want to but, I climb a ladder and put 2 poles in with wing nuts (the same wing nuts that hold them down). Basically, the way you had yours originally but I was thinking of doing what you have but, thanks to your video, I'm not going to bother so if I ever meet you I owe you some beers. Also, I live on the West coast of Scotland so those actuators probably wouldn't last a year here lol.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks buddy, we feel that there’s no point in showing everything perfect and that it’s all gone okay when it just plain hasn’t that way if anyone does want to try it they know what problems to look out for!!! Lucky you living in Scotland we love the place!!!

[@raykeogh1972]

@@UrbanVanlife Me to going to Mull on Sunday 10th July. did 6 weeks of the real coast not the NC500 this was 1000s of miles sticking to water mostly at my side lol.