So Ive had a few days off work to install the solar set up; the bulk of it is finished and working. I am pleased with how I have got on! Ive started off with quite a simple set up ,180W German Solar Panel via a circuit breaker to a Votronic MPPT Controller, 75A AGM Leisure Battery on to a pair of USB Sockets, Accessory Socket and a separate plug for the Fridge. Mounted the Votronic Monitor on the wardrobe whilst the MPPT inside the middle shelf. All of the wiring is run down convoluted tubing so its protected and tucked discretely away from sight using wiring sizes recommended by Photonic Universe. This afternoon was switch on time, it worked!! The battery showed 12.8V before the switch on and charged at 14.4V as per the battery charging setting..I was surprised as normally I dont do electrics. Tomorrow I'll do the rest of the wiring and tidy up etc and try the system out with an iPad or the fridge.
Excellent! Any links to the panel you went with? Is it mounted to your roof bar? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Here you go mate: MPPT: https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...ler--regulator-for-up-to-50V-solar-input.html Circuit Breaker: https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...-over-current-DC-circuit-breaker--switch.html Solar Panel: https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...r-panel-with-5m-cable-German-solar-cells.html Mounting kit: https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...torhomes-caravans-boats-or-roof-mounting.html The panel is mounted directly on to the roof via the mounting kit (x 2 as per recommendations) seated on 2mm rubber pads bolted through the roof.
Thanks. I've a CTEK unit in the engine bay which has a built in MPPT controller so I should be able to hook it up directly to that via a circuit breaker in a similar fashion.
2021 in review. Mileage covered: 1,223 (20183 - 18960). Nights away: 18. Fuel consumption: ~ 34 mpg when I monitored it over summer. Oil consumption: ~ 100 ml (due to the oil pressure gauge hose leaking from the fitting). Improvements: Koni Classic Front and Rear Dampers fitted, KYB fronts / Sachs Boge rears removed. EMPI HD Front Anti Roll Bar fitted, standard one removed due to corrosion. Jobs for winter: check steering box adjustment get the rear bumper repainted & maybe fit a set of overriders (maybe). Planned (hopes) for 2022: Techenders 3 weeks exploring Scotland Camping in the Cotswolds Derbyshire Yorkshire Lets see what happens..
After the success of fitting the over riders and getting them looking nice… It was MOT day so off we trundle and go through the motions..everything is spot on except for the right hand rear brake having around 50 on the gauge compared to 270 on the left hand wheel with no equal balance when both are checked. Whilst we was there, we found the issue, the brake shoes and drum are covered in bearing grease hence the inefficiency. We cleaned them enough to get through but I guess next weeks jobs are defined I was planning on repainting the rear bumper.
I guess either the seal wasn’t seating correctly as it sat crooked and has a slight kink in it or the grease blew it out. It’s a bit messy but it will clean up. I’ll order a new seal, brake shoes and some brake cleaner / degreaser and sort it next week. Onwards & forwards!
Nice one fella. Shows the value of at least having an annual brake test as per MOT. I guess you had no real inkling until it went on the rollers?
No idea at all mate, it’s been running a treat since he came back from Matt this time last year. Least it’s caught now & I’ve got time to sort it out!
Technically speaking, the bottom spring should be behind the shoes with the long end on the left poking out to stop the possibility of the handbrake cable falling off the lever when the handbrake is off.
It’s an easier fix when I put the new shoes on than degreasing the whole assembly. I’ll sort it next week when the replacement parts arrive!
I’ve spent the last few evenings reading the thread from beginning to end and what a great read! Great to see the resto through and inspiring that you’ve done all of it yourself!
Thanks buddy much appreciated! Credit goes to my Dad for the welding etc and Matt (Pkrboo) for the Subaru conversion which I’m loving! And the good folk on here for advice etc!
Bits and bobs to refresh. Both wiper arms have been on the bus since we got him in 2011 & are showing signs of wear, what with that and the wiper blades acting up in Scotland, it was high time to replace them. Schofields do a kit which has wiper blades, arms and spindle seals and new nuts etc so here we are, replaced! Hopefully these will last a few years
