So we've had a wonderful first Holiday in our new Bongo around the sunny west coast of France. Very happy unconverted at the moment, but when carrying a lot of big gear in the back (camping and watersports stuff) it would be really useful to have somewhere up front to store small and oft-used things...

Apologies for confusion, I was actually talking about the loom wiring which runs ultimately to my fuse panel in the cockpit. Now this actually has a multi-fuse box after a shortish (?12 inch) run from the +ve terminal. So there are fuses, but they are not as close to the battery as they might Is thi...

Well spotted, describes my kit perfectly, and thanks for sharing. On my LB +ve terminal the split charge kit sends 3 wires converging onto 1 ring connector. Can't tell what current they are rated to but guests somewhere between 20-30A. Presumably then I should pick a fuse rating appropriate to the r...

No, that's quite expensive for a PWM controller if you ask me. I went for one of these MPPT controllers with the optional remote meter for an extra £20 and I'm very pleased so far:

http://www.bimblesolar.com/offgrid/mppt/Tracer1215BN

I was ready to buy from Photonic but they didn't have stock. Instead I bought one of these: http://www.renytek.co.uk/semi-flexible-solar-panels/?Page_ID=3610&refpid=17675&id=39498 Good service, delivered rapidly. The dimensions are exactly as billed, 106cm long. This fits really nicely acros...

Got it. Thanks. Will help my poor roof out from now on

Thanks, clearly I should have RTFM! Although I don't have one...

Is it wise to have the alternator running to put the lid down too, even with gravity on its side?

1. My solar panel sends no measurable current when my surfboard is on the roofrack, covering approx 1/3 of the area, yet with the rest of the panel in bright sunlight. Is this normal? Not a problem if so, just thought it was a bit odd. 2. My AFT opens effortlessly with the alternator running (approx...

Brill, thanks Geoff

Hi - more electrical Qs I'm afraid! So my nice shiny new Waeco compressor fridge wasn't running at all well off my rear ciggie lighter, as folks have observed previously. I've now wired it up to the load terminal of my solar controller (mainly because it's easier than doing a cable run to the LB) an...

I've just done my own install of a 100w semi-flexi panel, MPPT charger and remote LCD, quite easy and very satisfying - but would have been difficult without this forum and the excellent wisdom which populates it! Roger, Geoff and others have provided lots of help with basic electrical issues regard...

Brill, thanks I knew you'd come through for me!

My 100W PV panel was supplied with 5m of cable, 1.25 square millimetres. It has come up a couple of metres short as I have chosen to install my 10A MPPT controller under the glove box in the passenger footwell. As a total novice, I unsurprisingly have a few questions! 1. Given I have 100w panel and ...

Thanks for that Jaylee I did eventually get it sorted yesterday afternoon! For the benefit of anyone searching this in future I'm going to describe :) Described for unconverted, 2001 AFT 1. From hole drilled in AFT, route cables through rear O/S rubber grommet into roof space 2. Remove 2 plastic bun...

Thanks all for the replies. I'm sorry to say I'm still a bit unclear! Do I just get my hands on some of those push/pull rods and go "blind" once I'm through the grommet? What happens then when I get to the B pillar? I've picked up a trim tool so might just get lairy with the van and take e...