MK111 Rear Hatch Solar Panels 300W

[Phil G]

Any chance of the part number please ?
Might try order direct

Gas struts are on Tracktrailer's website:  http://tstore.tracktrailer.com.au/store/store/products/tvan-gas-strut/

As far as panels go, I'd be buying the normal glass panels unless the weight is critical (which is the case on the rear hatch).  The 100W flexible panel I had weighed 2 kg;  I replaced it with a 100W mono panel weighing 8kgs.  For the roof of a caravan I'd use the normal glass panel every time for longevity.

[Patrol Dude]

The panels I bought where from eBay - I bought 10 of them for me and me mates, paid approx $175 per panel delivered[emoji106]



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Patrol Dude
4.2TD

[Patrol Dude]

The total thickness of the solar panels was 15mm. This in compassed the 12mm channel and the 3mm flat plate or 3mm angle.
The overall thickness of the panels was crucial for it being able to fit between the rear deck and the hatch. After much research I found that even 16mm was just to thick!!!
When the rear deck was pulled up it would just hit the centre of the panels, as the rear hatch is actually bowed out in the centre!!!
To make sure that the rear deck would not touch I had to extend the bump stops on the rear hatch so the panels had at least a few mm of clearance.
Now the passenger side was easy as the white bump stop hits the hatch out side the sail track, so installing an additional bump stop where it hit the hatch was easy.



The bump stop on the drivers side - well that's a totally different story.
The bump stop on the rear deck hit right on the edge of the 12mm channel. Bugger.
I had to relocate the bump stop on the deck as far to the outer edge as I could so it would miss the solar panel channel and hit the new bump stop I installed next to the channel.




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Patrol Dude
4.2TD

[Patrol Dude]

Now one would expect that after all this, all would be OK, but no, the over centre latches did not have enough length to compensate for the added bump stop on the hatch [emoji37]
So after trying several places for longer threaded catches and not finding any, I found some long joining nuts and some threaded bar [emoji6]
Fixed



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Patrol Dude
4.2TD

[Patrol Dude]

Now we have plenty of space between the hatch and the deck



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Patrol Dude
4.2TD

[Patrol Dude]

Overall very happy with the project, just allow a couple of week ends to get it all done, although this thread should help. Some additional parts used.














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[Cruiser 105Tvan]

Patrol Dude,

How much room did you have to create between the Deck and the Rear Hatch?
Were the Stops you fitted rubber or solid nylon?

Thanks.

[Patrol Dude]

Stops are made of rubber. I trimmed them down to around 16mm, just proud of the panel.



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Patrol Dude
4.2TD

[monktm]

Also upgraded to new gas struts with 770N


Holds it up real nice [emoji6]


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Patrol Dude
4.2TD

. FYI

Just spoke to track trailer bayswater and Paul from spares told me they don't use a 700 strut the highest they have is a 600 . Any bigger he said is to hard to close the door and can damage the strut mounts . 

[Patrol Dude]

. FYI

Just spoke to track trailer bayswater and Paul from spares told me they don't use a 700 strut the highest they have is a 600 . Any bigger he said is to hard to close the door and can damage the strut mounts .

The added weight of the panels, requires some additional force to push the hatch up. BooBooks research was invaluable here. I think he is spot on with the 770N.
It is all about the balance between the weight and the ease to pull the hatch down. As I was constantly in the Tvan bolting the next thing through the hatch I was putting the hatch up and down a lot and crawling inside with the hatch down. I found it quite OK, with minimal effort. Again Boobooks experience helped here a lot.
In regards to the strut mounts, I'd be surprised if they could not handle the added weight/force. From Tracks perspective they can not advise any different to what Pauls response was - as we all know, we do these modifications at our own risk not Tracks!!!
I suspect the total weight of the panel completed would be approx 10-11KG - and as the weight is spread across the entire hatch area distributes the weight well. I had a look at the hatch hinge point and was comfortable with the strength of the hinge. The shear force of the bolts would be massive in contrast to the weight of the hatch. The hinge point brackets are also very well made and mounted to the Tvan.

Wait a couple of years and I'll give you an update on the longevity of all the components [emoji6] Cheers


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Patrol Dude
4.2TD

[monktm]

Thanks for the response . I went ahead and ordered the 600 nm Struts I think I'll be fine as mine are tired and not lifting as well as they use to . And I have no additional weight to worry about .. Thanks again

[Patrol Dude]

Hi Monktm, you actually brought up a very valed point. My old struts where also very tired and you had to coax them the last 6 inches to the top of their full lifting height. I was sceptical of the 770N actually being enough force to compensate for the additional weight of my set up as I thought mine would be around 3-4KGs heavier, as Boobook just has the panels directly attached to the rear hatch. Boobook did do a bit of trial and error with the amount of pressure, as his first struts had around 800+N in them and he did find it a bit hard to close the hatch from the inside. So mine are great now, with the weight I have, nice and firm. But I suspect in a year or so like your they may start to get a bit softer and easier. Time will tell. Cheers


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[weonatvan]

Thanks for the response . I went ahead and ordered the 600 nm Struts I think I'll be fine as mine are tired and not lifting as well as they use to . And I have no additional weight to worry about .. Thanks again

How much $?

[monktm]

How much $?

40 per strut and 22 for delivery and 8 p&h .

Delivery isn't cheap imo

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

Jeff,
Would corflute sheet be an alternative to your plastic tunnel sheet as a backing.
It would reduce the thickness of the panel from the hatch surface.
Maybe improve clearance to the Deck when folded into travelling position.
Would still provide venting under the panels if the sheets were oriented correctly.
Would also allow servicing of the panels when necessary.
Might be less rigid than your tunnel sheet, which might not be such a bad thing.

Just putting it out there for discussion.
Fors and against?