I found a great replacement for the special square IKEA nut: a Unistrut channel nut works perfectly. www.mcmaster.com/strut-channel-nuts/strut-channel-nuts-6/ The zinc plated would probably outlast your van w/o rusting, but they are available in 316 stainless as well. A local Fastenal should have them as well.
I'm looking to do the same thing, Do you know of any new panels same size as this with more wattage as per 4 year old vid, I was thinking of putting 3 100watt panels in series but if i can find one that is same size with more watts that world be great to charge my Pecron E600LFP Voc 32V~95V / 400W Max / 15A Max, it will take higher then 400watt panel but will max out charging to 400Watt
@@ceezauto213 Thanks. I've long since put some panels on my van though :) That said, this video was the basis for how I connected my panels to the rail. Almost a year later and all is well.
@@ceezauto213 Just a couple 100 watt ACOPOWER panels that I send to my main Ecoflow River Pro. I also have a cheap 200 watt foldout panels I'll send to my backup solar generator. Between the two of them I can do a lot.
The Indian space program was bragging that they went to Mars for "only" $73M, but it looks to my eye like you did it for 40 cents in copper wire. Talk about bang for your buck! :-)
Heeeey, 1/4"-20! I guess those t-nuts and some 1/4"-20 threaded rod are the hot ticket for Rube Goldberg-ish (if you're me, anyway) DSLR camera mounting setups, eh?
Yeah this was the only point I saw for improvement. The wooden stopper nut could fail in the future. All around great design though very sleek and steathy
Just sand the nut down to fit, that's my Plan B. This is a good choice for a 48v or 3 14.4v at 43.2v battery and 4 of these would put you at 57.6, but the amperage is less thane the original, but at least you don't need a boost converter. I realize you're using lithium cells with different values. I'm just using an example
nice comparison of solar panels , like to see what you think of makeskyblue after using it for a long time , some love them and some say they have an unacceptablely high failure rate , they interest me . does makeskyblue have a heat sink.
The aluminum case is the heat sink, I think. It looks like it's just a cheap knock off Made in China controller so I don't have much hope for it. But for Li-ion batteries, there are not many choices for charge controllers out there.
@@vuaeco Maybe your next pack could be LiFePo^4. They can be charged with constant current alone, so you can safely charge them to 95% capacity with a lead acid charger, charge controller or probably even your alternator charging circuit (I'm sort of assuming 4s LiFePO^4 packs paralleled for charging, then perhaps in series for discharge). Of course, I'm sure however you roll in the future will be awesome. You never cease to amaze me with your creative problem solving. Cheers.✊
@@fun_ghoul FiFePo4 is perfect for 12V because 4S pack is 3.6V x4 = 14.4V which is exactly what the alternator charges the 12V lead acid battery at. But LiFePO4 is still expensive, hard to come by, and has low energy density.
@@vuaeco Low energy density for sure, but high power density, most tolerant of abuse, most cycles (apart from LTO), and least likely to burst into flames near your family (!). Generally not cheap to buy tho, even if they work out cheaper per Wh. I got very lucky recently and acquired an ebike from Kijiji with 2 Magic Pies -- with blown internal controllers -- and a Headway 15Ah (1P)16S pack with 4A charger, on a deal to do 20 hours of yard work for the seller in the spring (he was originally asking C$500). Anyway, there are other ways. Those first DeWalt lithium packs (i.e. "Nano") contain twelve A123 18650 LiFePo^4 cells each; maybe you can start accumulating faulty packs for cheap from pawn shops, Craigslist, etc. Then, eventually build a super-duper pack with your nice little spot welder! :-)
@1:58 Seriously? Suppose you live in a country with short people? I'm dutch, every man here is taller than a minivan.. I'm 6'4" and not among the tallest here Like your channel!
Love the support of the barking dog in the background in the first few seconds of this video😊
Nice solution
Your trip to Mars is very funny. But be careful, man.
You're so creative.
love the hardcore Viet accent!
Great fit. Huge panel and still stealthy. I'm planning something similar wedged between the rails
I found a great replacement for the special square IKEA nut: a Unistrut channel nut works perfectly. www.mcmaster.com/strut-channel-nuts/strut-channel-nuts-6/ The zinc plated would probably outlast your van w/o rusting, but they are available in 316 stainless as well. A local Fastenal should have them as well.
I'm looking to do the same thing, Do you know of any new panels same size as this with more wattage as per 4 year old vid, I was thinking of putting 3 100watt panels in series but if i can find one that is same size with more watts that world be great to charge my Pecron E600LFP Voc 32V~95V / 400W Max / 15A Max, it will take higher then 400watt panel but will max out charging to 400Watt
Amazing installation! Congrats!
How did you get that panel? I can't find it available for sale anywhere
What brand solar panel did you buy.I have a sienna with 300 watts on the roof.I would like to upgrade it.
Very useful e projects, definitely Subscribed.
😎👍
Van looks great! Kept it going thanks V
Love the video, love the humor, lol
What year Sienna is this? I just bought a 2007 Siena XLE hoping to do similar.
Applies to any 2004-2010 sienna
@@ceezauto213 Thanks. I've long since put some panels on my van though :) That said, this video was the basis for how I connected my panels to the rail. Almost a year later and all is well.
@@adventuresinportland3032 Nice I'm planning doing the same. What kind of solar panels did u end up installing?
@@ceezauto213 Just a couple 100 watt ACOPOWER panels that I send to my main Ecoflow River Pro. I also have a cheap 200 watt foldout panels I'll send to my backup solar generator. Between the two of them I can do a lot.
Very resourceful and funny. I like to buy the solar panel but it was out of stock on EBay. Is it available in other stores ? Thanks
Have you found it. If so can you leave me the link please?
Where can I purchase Sunpower solar panels? It seems that they are only for sale from authorization dealers doing roof top installation.
Lol I did the same thing with one of my Leaf batteries and it was not fun! Good video, thanks.
You plan on upgrading to a TH-cam 350 at some point?
@@fun_ghoul You mean a youtube 5.7? lol
Link for this solar panel ?
The Indian space program was bragging that they went to Mars for "only" $73M, but it looks to my eye like you did it for 40 cents in copper wire. Talk about bang for your buck! :-)
So I beat the Indian! :D
WRT size, I think what you mean is "any bigger would attract -flies- thieves", LOL.
Yes because bigger panel will have to go on top of the rack. If I park my car in a bad neighborhood, the panel would be gone in 60 seconds.
@@vuaeco Depending on the neighbourhood, the whole Sienna might be gone in 60 seconds! Lol
I like the new bracket setup; it makes for a clean install.
@@fun_ghoul LOL. I gotta keep an eye on Nicholas Cage! :D
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍🏻
You are amazing man
Anh ơi . A cho hỏi mua pin ( bettery ) ở đâu ạh . A có thể hướng dẫn chi tiết một bộ gồm những gì và mua ở đâu được không ạh . E cảm ơn anh
How much was the panel ?
Heeeey, 1/4"-20! I guess those t-nuts and some 1/4"-20 threaded rod are the hot ticket for Rube Goldberg-ish (if you're me, anyway) DSLR camera mounting setups, eh?
I like that idea!
Yeah this was the only point I saw for improvement. The wooden stopper nut could fail in the future. All around great design though very sleek and steathy
@@craigslaunwhite579 Maybe a channel nut for unistrut could work. Those are easy to find, and could be sanded down to fit
Lmao nice trip to Mars 🤣🤣💪❤️✌️
Please How can i get the mounting kit (brakets, nuts, etc)? Im not handy man but i gotta add this to my sienna thanks
No links?
Just sand the nut down to fit, that's my Plan B. This is a good choice for a 48v or 3 14.4v at 43.2v battery and 4 of these would put you at 57.6, but the amperage is less thane the original, but at least you don't need a boost converter. I realize you're using lithium cells with different values. I'm just using an example
wow bring out the leaf car batterys dont we .
TRUMP MAFIA! 😃
See my 1800 Watt solar van at: th-cam.com/video/v_XY2aEWY3M/w-d-xo.html
It sucks to have the worries about thief's . They're lazy inconsiderate lowlifes. Bottom feeders. Good job with this idea.
Is that 327W panel the same size/wattage as the broken ones from a while back? Or just the same make? Defo a nice upgrade.
Yes, it's the exact same model. It's a shame the glass is cracked! This is the best panel in its class.
@@vuaeco Where on earth did you find this SunPower panel??? And how much did it cost you???
nice comparison of solar panels , like to see what you think of makeskyblue after using it for a long time , some love them and some say they have an unacceptablely high failure rate , they interest me . does makeskyblue have a heat sink.
The aluminum case is the heat sink, I think. It looks like it's just a cheap knock off Made in China controller so I don't have much hope for it. But for Li-ion batteries, there are not many choices for charge controllers out there.
@@vuaeco Maybe your next pack could be LiFePo^4. They can be charged with constant current alone, so you can safely charge them to 95% capacity with a lead acid charger, charge controller or probably even your alternator charging circuit (I'm sort of assuming 4s LiFePO^4 packs paralleled for charging, then perhaps in series for discharge).
Of course, I'm sure however you roll in the future will be awesome. You never cease to amaze me with your creative problem solving. Cheers.✊
@@fun_ghoul FiFePo4 is perfect for 12V because 4S pack is 3.6V x4 = 14.4V which is exactly what the alternator charges the 12V lead acid battery at. But LiFePO4 is still expensive, hard to come by, and has low energy density.
@@vuaeco Low energy density for sure, but high power density, most tolerant of abuse, most cycles (apart from LTO), and least likely to burst into flames near your family (!). Generally not cheap to buy tho, even if they work out cheaper per Wh.
I got very lucky recently and acquired an ebike from Kijiji with 2 Magic Pies -- with blown internal controllers -- and a Headway 15Ah (1P)16S pack with 4A charger, on a deal to do 20 hours of yard work for the seller in the spring (he was originally asking C$500).
Anyway, there are other ways. Those first DeWalt lithium packs (i.e. "Nano") contain twelve A123 18650 LiFePo^4 cells each; maybe you can start accumulating faulty packs for cheap from pawn shops, Craigslist, etc. Then, eventually build a super-duper pack with your nice little spot welder! :-)
@@fun_ghoul Totally agreed on the LiFePO4. That's a great deal you got on the battery pack there. I'd do anything for batteries! LOL
what do you use the power for???
Cooking rice duh! Lol
7:30 history tubing for wire protection from sun and rain.
@1:58 Seriously? Suppose you live in a country with short people?
I'm dutch, every man here is taller than a minivan.. I'm 6'4" and not among the tallest here
Like your channel!
He lives in usa
5:20 t nut prong quarter 20 by 5/16
Obviously the man's mother tongue is not English. How about you? How many languages can you speak?
@@MrHoaLuu ? Just using it for reference