Anyone had a hole drilled in their roof

[Jester]

As above and have you had any problems since and what was the hole for and its location.

 

[The Merle]

As above and have you had any problems since and what was the hole for and its location.

I’ve had hole done in both jokers I’ve owned.
Did use westy dealer for job.
Old van 3yrs no issues apart from the gland outlet and sealant discolouring over time (was white).
On the new joker I’ve had black gland and black sealant all looks fine still.

 

[Jester]

I’ve had hole done in both jokers I’ve owned.
Did use westy dealer for job.
Old van 3yrs no issues apart from the gland outlet and sealant discolouring over time (was white).
On the new joker I’ve had black gland and black sealant all looks fine still.

Morning Keswick now.

thanks for the advice as wondering if I should fit my WiFI antenna externally for better reception, also concerned about expansion and contraction regarding the GRP roof. Bit wet today.

 

[California_Ocean]

Yep, drilled it myself for a Scanstrut cable gland to get the solar panel connections into the van without using a curly cable. So far it's been totally waterproof and has survived heavy rain and car washes.

 

[The Merle]

Morning Keswick now.

thanks for the advice as wondering if I should fit my WiFI antenna externally for better reception, also concerned about expansion and contraction regarding the GRP roof. Bit wet today.

I was there first thing for a dash round the coop and to get my new achievement sticker.

That’s what I used for roof.

 

[Jester]

Yep, drilled it myself for a Scanstrut cable gland to get the solar panel connections into the van without using a curly cable. So far it's been totally waterproof and has survived heavy rain and car washes.

View attachment 98009

Very nice installation looks great. Thanks for sharing

 

[Jester]

I was there first thing for a dash round the coop and to get my new achievement sticker.

That’s what I used for roof.View attachment 98011View attachment 98010

Amazing we are looking at them now as we are parked on the lake, funny you are so close heading into town shortly, then down to Leathes Head tonight.
Thanks for the information re the cable glands.

 

[The Merle]

Amazing we are looking at them now as we are parked on the lake, funny you are so close heading into town shortly, then down to Leathes Head tonight.
Thanks for the information re the cable glands.

Market day in town so maybe busy.

I’m on a campsite doing chores, clothes wash, van fill and loo empty.
Day chilling with Netflix I think, need to give the old legs a rest not just the dogs.

If you don’t want to do install then give Rob at campersales a bell, they have great workshop they done my solar install

 

[Eber123]

As above and have you had any problems since and what was the hole for and its location.

Hello,

I was hoping at some stage to get the Maxview Roam installed on my GC600. I hope it won't be a big issue to get the aerial installed, but I am more concerned from where to get the 12 V for the router.

At the moment I can't find a company in ROI that is able to install this professional and reliable without doing any damange. So for the moment I give up with the idea to get it done.

So I watch these thread to see how it is going and how other GC users might get this sorted.

Best of luck,
Eberhard

 

[Jester]

Looks like you have hijacked somebody’s drive who is away on holiday! Thanks for Robs info but I use a Team in Poole Advanced in car Technologies who specialise in VW, all VAG.

 

[Jester]

Hello,

I was hoping at some stage to get the Maxview Roam installed on my GC600. I hope it won't be a big issue to get the aerial installed, but I am more concerned from where to get the 12 V for the router.

At the moment I can't find a company in ROI that is able to install this professional and reliable without doing any damange. So for the moment I give up with the idea to get it done.

So I watch these thread to see how it is going and how other GC users might get this sorted.

Best of luck,
Eberhard

Hi Eberhard
It’s my understanding that it is already pre-installed as if you were having the Wi-Fi router option.
There are three wires leading into the back of the VW OEM Wi-Fi router i’m not sure what they all do but they do lead back to the control panel which turns on and off the router. From the existing wiring that is there it should turn off the router when you lock the van thus having to turn it on again at the control panel.
The other wire is the antenna cable that currently sits above the sliding door this runs within the B pillar
Hope that helps.

 

[The Merle]

Looks like you have hijacked somebody’s drive who is away on holiday! Thanks for Robs info but I use a Team in Poole Advanced in car Technologies who specialise in VW, all VAG.

Friends drive, to sloppy for me to stay on!

 

[Eber123]

Hi Eberhard
It’s my understanding that it is already pre-installed as if you were having the Wi-Fi router option.
There are three wires leading into the back of the VW OEM Wi-Fi router i’m not sure what they all do but they do lead back to the control panel which turns on and off the router. From the existing wiring that is there it should turn off the router when you lock the van thus having to turn it on again at the control panel.
The other wire is the antenna cable that currently sits above the sliding door this runs within the B pillar
Hope that helps.

Hello Jester,

I was reading about this as well. But I think this is not the easiest way to get an aftermarket Internet LTE outside aerial installed.

First the power cable under the drivers chair is not standard and needs to be amended to fit for a different router.
Second the aerial cable has to be brought down on the B pillar and over the the drivers chair.

I was hoping to get the Maxview Roam outside aerial installed just over the seating area. I hope there is enough space between the wet room and the roof window. The cable just needs to be then not even a meter to bring it to the router, which could be fixed on the wall not far away from the original 12 V socket if one ordered the Sat dish. Some people say that the 12 V cable is there (even if no dish is installed). But to check this the panel has to be removed...

What I don't know is from where to get the 12 V connection from. I don't understand why VW has not installed at least 1x 12 V connection here as standard (TV, router, etc.).

As a workaround a Maxview style aerial could be installed as mentioned above, but than connected to my Netgear AC 810S. That works with USB. This also should improve the LTE connection.

My problem is that I can't find a company who can professionally and reliable install the aerial for me. I wouldn't be able too (to nervous).

Regards,
Eberhard

 

[RSMarco]

Yep, drilled it myself for a Scanstrut cable gland to get the solar panel connections into the van without using a curly cable. So far it's been totally waterproof and has survived heavy rain and car washes.

Hi,

Hi,
Can you share the link to the Hess solar carrier please?
Much appreciated.

 

[California_Ocean]

Hi,
Can you share the link to the Hess solar carrier please?
Much appreciated.

trending_product_page_template | Hess Automobile Alpnach AG

shop.automobile-hess.ch

They are based in Switzerland so shipping can be expensive. I went on holiday to a really nice campsite just down the road and collected mine. You can then fit it to the van roof on their premises to get it home ... takes about 15 mins to fit.

 

[Peter Bucknell]

Market day in town so maybe busy.

I’m on a campsite doing chores, clothes wash, van fill and loo empty.
Day chilling with Netflix I think, need to give the old legs a rest not just the dogs.View attachment 98014

If you don’t want to do install then give Rob at campersales a bell, they have great workshop they done my solar install

Great install. Looks like you have found a good solution to avoid glue-on panels. What make of panel is that and how many watts?

 

[The Merle]

Great install. Looks like you have found a good solution to avoid glue-on panels. What make of panel is that and how many watts?

It’s a Solbian SP118QJBE bought from bardens (ecobat fareham)
118W but I’ve had 130W! comes with 5yr warranty not cheap retail is £750 but managed to get trade discount.
Campersales got frame made up (panel is flexi type) and bonded bolt mounts on roof, I need to paint them black.
Very pleased havent needed hook up all summer, and panel doesn’t over heat as has massive air gap.
I think Rob campersales was looking into providing a install did give them info on panel.

 

[Peter Bucknell]

It’s a Solbian SP118QJBE bought from bardens (ecobat fareham)
118W but I’ve had 130W! comes with 5yr warranty not cheap retail is £750 but managed to get trade discount.
Campersales got frame made up (panel is flexi type) and bonded bolt mounts on roof, I need to paint them black.
Very pleased havent needed hook up all summer, and panel doesn’t over heat as has massive air gap.
I think Rob campersales was looking into providing a install did give them info on panel.View attachment 98082View attachment 98083

Thanks for the info. Very good output for size of panel. Looks like the way to go - air flow under panel should keep it cool
Best
Pete

 

[RSMarco]

trending_product_page_template | Hess Automobile Alpnach AG

shop.automobile-hess.ch

They are based in Switzerland so shipping can be expensive. I went on holiday to a really nice campsite just down the road and collected mine. You can then fit it to the van roof on their premises to get it home ... takes about 15 mins to fit.

Thanks for the link and information, much appreciated.

 

[CaliCampMianch]

Yep, drilled it myself for a Scanstrut cable gland to get the solar panel connections into the van without using a curly cable. So far it's been totally waterproof and has survived heavy rain and car washes.

View attachment 98009

Thanks. I'm planning to install my solar panels with a Scanstrut solution. Would it be possible to give a bit more details about the exact location and maybe pictures how it looks from the inside?

 

[California_Ocean]

Thanks. I'm planning to install my solar panels with a Scanstrut solution. Would it be possible to give a bit more details about the exact location and maybe pictures how it looks from the inside?

The exact location of the hole is in these German instructions ... google translate will sort it out if you don't speak German ... I'd maybe go an extra 1,5cm towards the rear ... the roof lining is glued and has about a centimetre of hard-cell foam which you need to dig out to route the cable. Otherwise fine, and tap the holes in the roof and lubricate them before putting the screws in, if the holes are too small the screws will bind and shear. Good luck

https://shop.vwcamper.de/media/pdf/3c/53/8a/Anleitung-Solar-V4klKjUF2WZU6Y03p.pdf

Mark the hole approx. 220mm behind the solar support system. Exactly in the middle extension
of the cable duct (approx. 40mm from the edge of the black end piece of the roof rail)

Pics ...

 

[CaliCampMianch]

The exact location of the hole is in these German instructions ... google translate will sort it out if you don't speak German ... I'd maybe go an extra 1,5cm towards the rear ... the roof lining is glued and has about a centimetre of hard-cell foam which you need to dig out to route the cable. Otherwise fine, and tap the holes in the roof and lubricate them before putting the screws in, if the holes are too small the screws will bind and shear. Good luck

https://shop.vwcamper.de/media/pdf/3c/53/8a/Anleitung-Solar-V4klKjUF2WZU6Y03p.pdf

Pics ...

View attachment 124102

Thank you very much. Today I'm going to install the CaliFactur panels. Keep you posted on the progress.

 

[CaliCampMianch]

Progress