![]() While some people recommend that you try to locate a roofing strut as an attachment point, others argue that if your roof is strong enough for you to walk on, it’s probably strong enough to handle 200 pounds of solar panels going down the highway at 60 mph. The Renogy Solar Kits come complete with “z” brackets and self-tapping screws that assist with installing rigid panels directly onto the roof of your rig. This van install video from “Not Waiting to Live” has the right idea. Some vehicles are designed with roof rack options, so building a custom rack and using the predetermined bolt locations seems like a really good idea. In this case it’s easy enough to simply bolt the rigid panels to the roof rack, or customize the rack to fit the panels. Many DIYers have a vehicle that already includes some kind of roof rack. But we have literally hundreds of screw holes in the aluminum skin of our vintage trailer and we’ve been able to manage with a few simple strategies - make sure the hole is clean, the screw or bolt is tightly installed (don’t overtighten) into the roof material, and well-sealed with an appropriate sealant. Anytime you put a hole through the roof there is the potential for water leakage. The biggest worry for any rigid panel install is the “putting a hole through the roof” issue. ![]() We’ve seen them on the top, on the back, and on the side of many vehicles from homemade box vans to luxury motor coaches to any kind of RVs. Tough and rigid, they are able to be placed on just about any kind of surface in numerous ways. Seriously, this is what we do - we help people go solar! Even if you’re ready you still need to make some decisions about the type of panel, flexible, rigid, or portable. Also feel free to contact us via our website with questions. And if these resources still have you scratching your head, let’s unpack things by starting at the very beginning. If you haven’t read our recent blog with tons of solar resources for the new RV’er, give it a read. To make your DIY solar even easier, we’ve perused some of YouTube’s better videos and created a watch list for different ways to secure your panels in place, in addition to adding our own two cents.īefore you grab your portable drill and sealant applicator gun, you might want to ask yourselves a few questions to see if a DIY project like this is within your skillset. While every install is unique, offering its own set of challenges, there are some really good ideas and practices that will get you rolling in no time. Plus, every Renogy component is made to seamlessly integrate together so you can just plug and play. This is awesome because Renogy has your back! With a team of engineers, a ton of resources and helpful videos, this company sees the DIY installer as one of its core customers. ![]() With the dramatic increase in people choosing to travel in an RV, as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and an international travel ban, we’re going to see more DIY RV and van solar installs. A lot of it is good, some is bad, and some is just plain ugly. From vloggers to preppers, from vandwellers to anyone with a smartphone and a YouTube channel (ourselves included) there is a wealth of advice out there. Back in 2012, when we were installing our first solar panel to the back of our truck, there simply weren't any accessible resources for the non-physic major handyperson on how to do it yourself. Or use an Invisible Zipper anytime you'd prefer a hidden zipper, like in formal wear.We live in a DIY world, with more and more DIY resources out there each and everyday. Molded Plastic zippers are commonly used in outdoor, kid's, and casual clothing. For straight seams, heavy materials, and an upscale look, a Metal Zipper is a good fit. It depends on your project! Nylon Coil works the best for curved seams, tolerating horizontal stress, and as a general-use zipper. If using a metal zipper, be sure to remove some of the teeth with pliers before cutting to avoid damaging your scissors. If a zipper is too long, you can cut it to any size and close off the new end with a zipper stop (or two zipper stops, for separating zippers). A zipper foot allows you to sew very closely to the zipper teeth in a smooth, straight line. While you can sew a zipper with a regular foot, using a zipper foot is much easier. If you're replacing an existing zipper, you can also check the back of the zipper slider or measure it in milimeters to find the size.ĭo I need a special foot to sew a zipper? A higher zipper tooth size means a larger zipper. Choose a zipper weight that makes sense for the size of your project and the weight of your fabric.
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