Frequently Asked Questions

- Why dont' you have a phone?

- I operate on my own, and if I'm not preparing mail orders I'm installing kits and I simply can't fit in answering the phone. It rang all day when I had it active, and customers were sending me text message sales enquiries - I can't work with text messages, it is not a way to keep records. I do check my emails frequently, and any non urgent enquiries will always get answered in the evening when I'm finished working. Email also gives me a record of all conversations which makes admin a lot easier. If you have an enquiry please list all your questions and I'll answer them one by one. No question is a stupid question!

- Is it easy to install? Is there a video?

- Yes - I provide full instructions covering all the installation options with colour photos for tall of our kits. One of my happy customers has made a video of his Bongo installation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pktEeRDCfBw

Here is a VW Beach  Install: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ykDjBRmfpU

And an Ocean/SE Cali install:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmhIV6PCyZY

Even one of my Aussie customers! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1lNRXMkLN0

- I already have a split charging relay system installed, will the solar charger work with this?

- yes it will. The solar charger / regulator only charges the battery when needed, it won't charge your battery once you are driving as the split charger will take over.

- Can I run mains 240v appliances off the solar power with an inverter?

- yes you can, although inverters are not very efficient and you are better off buying 12v equivalent appliances. You connect your inverter to your battery and let the solar power charge the battery.

- Can I charge both my leisure battery AND my starter battery with the solar kit?

- yes you can -  We can supply you with a special charger that charges both batteries, though under normal circumstances, it will spend 90% of it's time charging the leisure battery as your starter battery will be full nearly all of the time - as you have a leisure battery.

- I would like you to install the kit for me - where are you and what is the cost?

- I'm based near Taunton, in Somerset. Installation is £160 for the Bongo kit which includes a permanent installation with hidden wiring throughout the vehicle. Please contact me for Cali and MP prices which start at £80.

- I have roof bars fitted - is your kit compatible?

- Bongo - Usually, yes. If you have the bars that bolt into the existing roof mounting holes and run up the length of the vehicle then you simply slide the solar panel bracket under the roof bar rear mounting "foot" and refasten it using your existing bolt. If you have bars than clip into the guttering and run across the width of the vehicle then they usually clear the panel. If not, you can just slide the rear one forwards a bit to accommodate the solar panel.

- VW - usually yes. Most VW roof bars are adjustable so you can slide them fore and aft to clear the panel/s. This is easy with 1 or 2 panels, but you won't fit roof bars on with 3 panels as they take up all the space on the VW roof.

- I have heard that the flat solar panels overheat - is this true?

- When glued to roofs, yes, they get very hot. This is why we don't glue panels down any more. Ours are all bolted down and the nature of the design means there is always a small air gap underneath.