How To Install Solar Panels on the Roof of a Narrowboat in UNDER AN HOUR

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  • Опубліковано 5 вер 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 206

  • @andrewwmitchell
    @andrewwmitchell 3 роки тому +35

    You say it's easy Cath but I don't think it would have been for me. Your ''easy" is due to your meticulous research, planning, forethought and calm, unhurried execution. Well done to both of you. You did yourselves proud.

  • @Goldie644
    @Goldie644 3 роки тому +24

    A tip when tapping - for every half turn clockwise, do a quarter turn anticlockwise to clear the metal cuttings. Makes it a lot easier 😉

    • @etheroar6312
      @etheroar6312 3 роки тому +1

      And when tapping aluminium, use WD-40 to lube the tap. Works better than oil.

    • @billmielke7395
      @billmielke7395 3 роки тому +1

      All about feel, that's a through hole so you can tap a lot deeper before needing to break the chip.

  • @jonny7491
    @jonny7491 3 роки тому +4

    In this mad, mad world at the moment I find your videos reassuring that not everyone has gone totally nuts.😄

  • @erikandreassen6531
    @erikandreassen6531 3 роки тому

    You guys are awesome, your cat's have fascinated me. There are not many that love water. Precious. There are times I wish I'd been born elsewhere Love you guys and take care

  • @thewunder-lusters9644
    @thewunder-lusters9644 3 роки тому

    'Measure thrice and cut once' is a handywoman's mantra. :) ... cue Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin belting out, 'sisters are doing it for themselves.' :)

  • @andrewhilton8142
    @andrewhilton8142 3 роки тому +15

    ‘Easy’ she said lol. Great vlog, even for those of us who struggle to make a cup of tea let alone go at the roof with a drill.

    • @TheNarrowboatExperience
      @TheNarrowboatExperience  3 роки тому +3

      I was worried about being on the roof. It’s my least favourite spot!

    • @TheTezz100
      @TheTezz100 3 роки тому +4

      Certain parts aren't people's favourite job.
      But in this, research & planning help's loads.
      Kath maybe a little like me. Tad technical minded when it comes to gadgets & gizmos like this.
      Planning & research help's to get the job run tad smother 👍

  • @keithpeacock6048
    @keithpeacock6048 3 роки тому +3

    To say I'm impressed with your DIY skills would be an understatement. The pair of you work so well as a team and your meticulous planning and preparation is amazing. Fantastic work ladies.

  • @Martin-se3ij
    @Martin-se3ij 3 роки тому +2

    The real forward thinking was your mooring spot, I'm impressed.

  • @tangowhisky14
    @tangowhisky14 3 роки тому +3

    I think your brave drilling and tapping into the roof of your boat. Well done.

  • @curtisemery807
    @curtisemery807 3 роки тому +3

    Just brilliantly done. Easy to do if you've installed 100 or so before, but an excellent, well-planned job for a couple of enthusiastic tyros. You should be proud of yourselves. A job very well done.

  • @skinteastwood2358
    @skinteastwood2358 3 роки тому +1

    Hi Cath next time you have to tap holes, put the tap tool into your battery drill and proceed in slow drilling. x

  • @simao_bacamarte
    @simao_bacamarte 3 роки тому

    Dear Annamarie and Kath, I am a Brazilian who traveled around the world for decades for business and pleasure. Those travels took me to both England and Australia several times. In 2020 I am living that inconvenient but unavoidable pause caused by the pandemic. I have just finished binge-watching all the episodes of The Narrowboat Experience, and it was delightful. You have shown me an England different from the one I know - luxuriously green, tranquil, hiding history in the form of small bridges, locks, aqueducts, picturesque villages at every corner of the many canals you navigated through. A cat lover myself (I have five cats at home), it was endearing to see Munchy and Alice in every episode. Your channel is informative, relaxing, great photography, Annamarie's artwork is just beautiful, and the highlight is the sweetness and caring you show each other. For all that, I thank you. I will always be waiting for your next video. Stay safe.

  • @rmsflorida
    @rmsflorida 2 роки тому

    Me as a Machinist ,You did a excellent job!....Robbie

  • @johngreen1741
    @johngreen1741 11 місяців тому

    Well done ladies- I’ve watched many other videos re installing solar panels, particularly on a sloping roof! Yours is clear filming and the commentary showed me for the first time that you used adjustable feet to compensate for the sloping roof which was brilliant for me. Thank you. Your commentary is slow, considered clear and very useful. Well done and thank you

  • @rotinkerbell
    @rotinkerbell 3 роки тому +6

    you two are really impressive individuals. I love the variety and depth of your vlogs. xx

  • @ralphwood9865
    @ralphwood9865 3 роки тому +2

    This illustrates how analyzing the whole installation makes the rest a piece of cake .Well done ladies another feather in your caps.
    Cheers from Canada

  • @itzel1735
    @itzel1735 3 роки тому +3

    “Link to the tool I wish I’d bought”
    Thank you. This is my life too.

  • @ST-jq
    @ST-jq 3 роки тому

    Normally I will not watch these DIY episodes, which is probably why I am so hopeless at such tasks. However your easy to watch style has appeal, so you must be doing something right. I am looking forward to your update on how the solar panels are performing and all the pro's and con's as you find them. Meanwhile keep up the good work, I look forward to your vlogs.

  • @MrBblhed
    @MrBblhed 3 роки тому +1

    I like that Alice supervised and only stood on you once, but I am not really happy with the lack of Munchy in this video. Also I would recommend coming up with an inspection schedule for the hose that is protecting the wire that runs through the mushroom cap.

  • @richardclark148
    @richardclark148 3 роки тому

    Easy if you have Cath to organise it....and Alice to supervise everything......great paint job on the roof Anna Marie...didn't you all do well....what a team

  • @ralphwest8156
    @ralphwest8156 3 роки тому +12

    Great job, very thorough and meticulous' ...well done with the tapping, that will be a very solid fixing. Roof in cream has made a world of difference and enhances the panels, very nice indeed. Thanks for sharing, take good care.

    • @TheNarrowboatExperience
      @TheNarrowboatExperience  3 роки тому +5

      Thanks. We like the new colour and it makes a difference to heat in summer.

    • @alan-sk7ky
      @alan-sk7ky 3 роки тому +1

      @@TheNarrowboatExperience A bit reflective to look over all day perhaps?

  • @thelastpilot4582
    @thelastpilot4582 3 роки тому

    You ladies (wives) amaze me you tackle these jobs that I would find quite daunting. Pity we don't have a canal near us as I have a few jobs you could help me with. Ha Ha.

  • @jadawin01
    @jadawin01 3 роки тому

    Good planning ahead of time is always a good idea, clearly your research paid off.

  • @lv_woodturner3899
    @lv_woodturner3899 3 роки тому +2

    Nice installation. Well done.
    I do a lot of metal work, including tapping holes in aluminium and steel. The tap handle you were provided is far too short, even for aluminium. FYI if you need to tap into steel in the future, there are several types of taps, straight flute - least expensive but require most force, spiral point a bit more expensive but not as much force required and spiral flute, the most expensive but the least force required. I have been able to tap into some steel projects with the spiral flute tap but not the straight flute.
    Good idea to be able to tilt the panels. Solar panels are not very efficient and need all the light they can get. If the sunlight is at too low an angle, the light will reflect off and reduce the efficiency even more. Well worth the cost and added installation for the frames. The handles to lock the frames seem small which may be a problem on cold days with cold fingers. Consider replacing the handles with regular bolts with hex head and use a socket on a cordless drill. So much easier on the hands in the cold weather.
    Dave.

    • @Martin-se3ij
      @Martin-se3ij 3 роки тому

      Dave, isn't there also a back and forth movement for tapping also, cleaning out the threads as you go?

  • @lesleysilverstone2868
    @lesleysilverstone2868 3 роки тому

    Well done you two. And a big thank you to Munchy and Alice for their supervisory efforts. Hugs.

  • @PupsandpawsNetRosie
    @PupsandpawsNetRosie 3 роки тому

    Good work Kath. Planning the task seemed to be the key.

  • @jonnyjones5201
    @jonnyjones5201 3 роки тому

    Always good to see diy vlogs, is anna painting the entire topside cream, i didn't notice any tape but lots of wonky lines 😁

  • @martinworrall5888
    @martinworrall5888 3 роки тому +5

    A very professional and neat job,well done ✅

  • @CB71SS
    @CB71SS 3 роки тому +1

    Wonderful job, well done. I would suggest that after a couple of months to check on the fuel line you used at the vent to see if there is any significant wear on it, just to be on the safe side. A rocking boat, wind and weather ( rain or snow) could cause it to move just enough to wear. Look forward to the next weeks video.

  • @terryrigden4860
    @terryrigden4860 3 роки тому +1

    Well done ladies, another excellent technical video. Looking forward to hearing how the panels perform especially if one is partially shaded, as well as the comparison with the flexi panel. I expect you will stay cooler next summer with the lighter coloured roof. We certainly noticed when we repainted our roof a lighter colour.

  • @susanmcnamara1173
    @susanmcnamara1173 3 роки тому

    OMG what a star you are Cath well done 👍🤗

  • @abefrohman1759
    @abefrohman1759 3 роки тому

    Excellent job on the installation and the explanation of the installation.

  • @yonatanbenavraham6598
    @yonatanbenavraham6598 3 роки тому

    Both of you ladies are remarkable and talented. Great DIY Vlog, I am sure many narrowboat captains will be encouraged by your get your hands dirty attitude. Wishing there was another Vlog before next week!

  • @nbflyingfox4672
    @nbflyingfox4672 3 роки тому

    Excellent professional job and the Finished installation looks brilliant.. Nice job..

  • @vbart1776
    @vbart1776 3 роки тому +1

    Good job. Yes as a solar engineer never have the pv cables in a rubbing situation since the pv if shorted is a low voltage arc welder and cannot be turned off unless you disconnect the mc4 connectors. Most pv fires are the “homerun” to the solar electronics and not the electronics. In America drilling your solar panel frame voids the warranty.

  • @grh6439
    @grh6439 3 роки тому

    Excellent job (and no bolts in the canal!). I think your video will give many boaters a lot more confidence to install panels themselves. Thank you.

  • @donnybigboy
    @donnybigboy 3 роки тому

    Well done. It can be a scary process fitting either solar or turbine systems. You made it look easy and thank you for sharing.

  • @oletrenner
    @oletrenner 3 роки тому +2

    Great work, very impressive! I was a bit surprised that you used only two bolts per panel and just glued the adjustable feet to the roof. But I am terrible at estimating how many fasteners are actually needed :) Anyway, the panels look great! Thanks for sharing this with us. Best, Ole.

  • @MakeDoAndMend1
    @MakeDoAndMend1 3 роки тому +1

    I am a big fan of watching your vids. I prefer panels in parallel as in series if one panel fails you lose the whole solar energy as power through one panel goes through the series next one, or doensnt if panel fails. Failure of panels is normally caused by vibration. But Narrowboats dont suffer with this problem but motorhome do caused by road potholes and rough roads. Cheers from grumpy George

    • @TheNarrowboatExperience
      @TheNarrowboatExperience  3 роки тому

      Thanks for watching. I keep such a close eye on power coming in that I would notice fairly quickly if suddenly there was no power coming in and run out to test the panels and rewire if necessary. So I wasn’t too worried about one panel failing!

    • @MakeDoAndMend1
      @MakeDoAndMend1 3 роки тому

      @@TheNarrowboatExperience Cheers guys. Jane's brother built his own boat. But not the metal shell. It's called Still Water and it's based around Derbyshire? 👍👫🐟

  • @ianofsjkartwork
    @ianofsjkartwork 3 роки тому

    Amazing work girls......well explained and brilliant workmanship......stay safe........thanks for sharing

  • @brodie2711
    @brodie2711 3 роки тому +1

    I'm totally naff at anything like that but I do remember one pearl of wisdom from an old friend and she would always say Measure three times before you cut once or in your case drill once, and it looks like you did that. I'm really impressed with your DIY well-done guys

  • @countyman100
    @countyman100 3 роки тому +1

    WOW,Very professional,also like the way you finished painting the sides of your roof (very neat)which i thought you had missed.

  • @MrFroglips69
    @MrFroglips69 3 роки тому

    As always, two very talented and entertaining women. Well done, well done indeed.

  • @andybennett2457
    @andybennett2457 3 роки тому +1

    Without doubt the best solar video I have seen and I’ve seen them all . What was the reason for wiring in series? The roof looks much nicer too , you are a great team and a inspiration thank you

  • @davidselby1754
    @davidselby1754 3 роки тому

    Great job and video as always. Also Odin in the background 😍

  • @britz3864
    @britz3864 3 роки тому

    Goood job ladies. Can't wait to see how well it works for you and how much power you can actually use from it. Thanks so much .

  • @starman9921
    @starman9921 3 роки тому

    Good job well done your planning was 👍 meticulous and impressive.

  • @jrodd999
    @jrodd999 3 роки тому

    Looks great ladies! Thanks as always for the video.

  • @alanpeart2367
    @alanpeart2367 3 роки тому

    Thanks for the comprehensive information. Really helpful 👍

  • @AndyCutright
    @AndyCutright 3 роки тому

    Cut once, measure twice. Well done Kath.

  • @johnmehaffey9953
    @johnmehaffey9953 3 роки тому

    Very impressive ladies and I heard in the background the gulls queuing up to decorate it for you and to show off your polishing skills, take care ladies and stay safe

  • @michaelhiggins7365
    @michaelhiggins7365 3 роки тому

    A truly awesome job Anna and Kath, well done ! Now you can beam with pride over your DYI accomplishment, including repainting the roof first, a most wise choice.

  • @philanderson5138
    @philanderson5138 3 роки тому

    great work! it must be so disconcerting to drill into your roof!

  • @barrylytle5118
    @barrylytle5118 3 роки тому

    Great vlog! GIRL POWER!! Way to go ladies! I wouldn't have known where to begin. Roof colour looks great!

  • @paulsedman7876
    @paulsedman7876 3 роки тому

    Great video, yet another one to save.

  • @pfalzgraf7527
    @pfalzgraf7527 3 роки тому

    As I am relatively new to the channel, I’m watching the current videos and some pretty old ones (for catching up) at the same time. I have to say, lady, you’ve learned some camera presence since the beginning, I’m impressed!
    And even though I currently have no practical use for the info from this video gives me, it was interesting and I watched the whole thing. So, all in all: thanks, good job, and I hope to see much more from you (both)!

  • @DonP_is_lostagain
    @DonP_is_lostagain 3 роки тому

    Glad you subscribed to the "measure twice, cut once" school of thought. Always makes things go more smoothly. Great job on the installation. Cheers! DonP

  • @sharon2180
    @sharon2180 3 роки тому

    Handy girl really enjoyed.

  • @DonaldF73
    @DonaldF73 3 роки тому

    Busy bever girls always doing great things

  • @19friday55
    @19friday55 3 роки тому

    Great job ladies....I know this will make a huge difference....you've come a long way!!!!

  • @etheroar6312
    @etheroar6312 3 роки тому

    Very nicely done. Kudos to you both.

  • @christinehammell6365
    @christinehammell6365 3 роки тому

    I am in awe of you Kath. Annamarie too ofcourse. Great job .

  • @davidsedlickas8222
    @davidsedlickas8222 3 роки тому

    Superb planning before fitting paid off in gold.
    Excellent work well done to you both.
    Keep safe and dry and virus free

  • @zameed1
    @zameed1 3 роки тому

    A job well done. Bravo to you both and I'm even speechless after seeing you both install those solar panels. Kudos to yoy both.

  • @hellyavard8552
    @hellyavard8552 3 роки тому

    Very good Kath you are a wizz!

  • @andrewwest7934
    @andrewwest7934 3 роки тому

    I am very impressed by your knowledge and practical skills. Well done and thanks for such a descriptive series of videos.

  • @theoldhobbit3640
    @theoldhobbit3640 3 роки тому

    Brilliant install and very well planned. Well done to you both.

  • @ynys_mon6928
    @ynys_mon6928 3 роки тому

    It only looked easy because of your meticulous research and prep. Good job!

  • @johnsanders2266
    @johnsanders2266 3 роки тому

    "Proper Job" Gals! Well done!

  • @c2c0rider
    @c2c0rider 6 місяців тому

    Excellent video - thank you!

  • @grahamlewis3387
    @grahamlewis3387 3 роки тому

    Great job girls! Looks good.

  • @ae-ribae6426
    @ae-ribae6426 3 роки тому

    Great vid Kath, you made it look easy. It's looked rather daunting to me. I'm sure your new light roof will help keep the boats interior cooler come next summer. I'm now looking forward to the comparison vid.

  • @mid-niteryders5523
    @mid-niteryders5523 3 роки тому

    The old measure twice cut once seems to be what you did, nice job.

  • @karlasabineweber
    @karlasabineweber 3 роки тому

    The colour of the roof does look wonderful. Now back to the vlog :-)

  • @martinwise2898
    @martinwise2898 3 роки тому

    We love watching your travels😃❤️ and hello from Queensland Australia👷🏽&👨‍💼

  • @michaelpeters5056
    @michaelpeters5056 3 роки тому

    Nice job Kath! Kudos for finding the perfect mooring along that quay, making that jig, and using butyl tape. I’m giving you this week’s overkill award for using Nyloc nuts on the assembly. Your roof is now the same color as my boat. We just got a fleeting look at Annamarie’s roll and tip technique; if you have the footage, I’m sure many would appreciate a roof painting episode - paint used (2-part urethane?), grit used for sanding, roll and tip technique, etc. Just an observation, if that is a 2-part urethane, you really should wear an organic vapor respirator. The isocyanates in the catalyst are really nasty.

  • @timothyquinntully881
    @timothyquinntully881 3 роки тому

    Good job well done. Stay safe and warm in these crazy times.

  • @alanm1725
    @alanm1725 3 роки тому

    Well done! A very good informative video looking forward to the next one x

  • @robtheplod
    @robtheplod 3 роки тому

    Great video. I like how you've kept the panels below the mushroom height so no issues with tunnels etc.... :)

  • @eyeswideopen627
    @eyeswideopen627 3 роки тому

    I'm impressed.. I have trouble changing out the tt roll so I'm really impressed. Good work guys!!!

  • @charanvantijn541
    @charanvantijn541 3 роки тому

    And again a professional job! You are so wonderful. Although the 'under an hour' obviously excludes all your prep work.

  • @billmielke7395
    @billmielke7395 3 роки тому +1

    You could have drilled that a lot faster. The tap set you bought was high carbon steel, the one you wished you bought was high speed steel. You always want HSS in a tap, you can also buy coated taps, which for the purposes of hand tapping in mild steel probably doesn't have huge benefits but I would likely buy a TiN coated tap, they are usually just slightly more than uncoated. Unless I was tapping something exotic I would not buy a more exotic coating lik AiTiN or TiAiN. I'm a machinist, I cut metal every day.

  • @SoItGoesCAL34
    @SoItGoesCAL34 3 роки тому

    Good job! Very neat and tidy. The lighter color roof paint will be much cooler for barefeet.

  • @terrykunst3883
    @terrykunst3883 3 роки тому

    Very impressive!

  • @robertbray8590
    @robertbray8590 3 роки тому

    Guess the next mod will be putting 'actuator' on the frame so can just push a button to lift and low them. Great vlog

  • @richythin
    @richythin 3 роки тому

    Nice job 👍

  • @nathanisip
    @nathanisip 3 роки тому

    Another solar video, you spoil us! Gotta love Victron gear, their manuals are so nicely detailed and fun to read, though that’s probably just me. Great new roof colour too!

    • @TheNarrowboatExperience
      @TheNarrowboatExperience  3 роки тому

      You read the manuals ? 🙀😉

    • @nathanisip
      @nathanisip 3 роки тому

      They’re great for bed time! 🤣

    • @Wairoakid
      @Wairoakid 3 роки тому

      @@TheNarrowboatExperience Instruction manuals are great bedtime reading.

  • @SeanMcPhersonSenior
    @SeanMcPhersonSenior 3 роки тому +1

    Great job on these, Kath! Always fun to see a well-thought-out job done neatly and efficiently, especially the prep work you did which clearly paid off. I'm guessing given the length of the run those are heavier cable than the light-weight ones I see (since you'd be avoiding voltage drop). I'm used to AWG here in the states but if my guesstimates on conversions are right I'd think you probably used 6mm cable? I wasn't sure what the total length of the run from the back of the panel to the controller ended up being and if you'd pre-calculated the voltage drop or just did a quick check and knew 6mm would be good for any reasonable length? At the end of the day, whether the voltage drop is 1% vs 2% won't really matter much, and if 6mm cable is cost effective, then it's a win :) I know a common issue here for folks w/ RVs (caravans) is they use something with an AWG closer to your 4mm because it happens to be laying around or they don't realize how much of an impact it will have long term! Also a nice job of preventing rub-through with the piece of hose - might be something to add to the regular checks so you never get a short and damage the diodes on the back of the panel (also something I end up replacing for folks regularly, it seems, often after wiring issues or over-voltage events due to series-ing too many panels in a desert environment where they've never gotten 'optimal conditions' before, amusingly). I'm glad Alice supervised and only stepped on you a bit :) The new paint on the roof does look great, as well, Annamarie! Thanks for putting this one together - I can't wait to see the data on the upgrades to the total power budget now especially as winter approaches. Hopefully these help you avoid engine hours, which is another win (both in diesel and time between maintenances). Looking forward to the future info, but no matter what, I hope you all have great weather and plenty of enjoyable moorings and are staying safe.

  • @anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204
    @anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204 3 роки тому

    good up date on the cut

  • @kellinigh2398
    @kellinigh2398 3 роки тому

    Well done you!

  • @AhmedKhoga
    @AhmedKhoga 3 роки тому

    thank you

  • @CrazyPetez
    @CrazyPetez 3 роки тому

    Nice work!👍

  • @moejaime2654
    @moejaime2654 3 роки тому

    Great job ladies . I wish I had your skills !

  • @colmornane5684
    @colmornane5684 3 роки тому

    Hi Annamarie and Kath, another great video, well done on the fuel hose to stop chaffing of the cables, something more robust might be needed if the fuel hose protector is actually in contact with a sheet metal edge of the mushroom vent, or secure the cables sufficiently to ensure they cannot rub along the edge. You girls are the best. I have started clicking the bell icon again for all the channels I am subscribed to to try and get notifications via email again. Here is hoping! Stay as safe as you can in these difficult times. Regards a fan from Aus.

    • @TheNarrowboatExperience
      @TheNarrowboatExperience  3 роки тому

      I honestly don’t imagine any damage being done to the cables. Our old boat had cables going into the mushroom vent that had been there for years and years and showed no damage.
      UA-cam have stopped emailing people notifications. The bell will only give you a pop up I think if you use the UA-cam app on a phone or tablet.

  • @stevecooney1361
    @stevecooney1361 3 роки тому

    Great vlog, good to see you were on the G n S canal when you installed the panels. Have got mine on at last, been keeping my batteries charged for nearly a month now. Wished I had them installed long time ago. Yes it's a fairly easy job to install, if i can do it then anybody can. 👌

  • @kenkeats
    @kenkeats 3 роки тому

    good job

  • @MistyandMewithFreedom
    @MistyandMewithFreedom 3 роки тому

    great vlog really informative with some great advice...kind regards Misty and Me

  • @chriscross9505
    @chriscross9505 3 роки тому

    Very competent. Successfully instructional. Good job!

  • @guypidsley1572
    @guypidsley1572 3 роки тому

    Brilliant. Guy

  • @gaj2532
    @gaj2532 3 роки тому

    Brilliant follow on video .Great job ladies .Love the new roof colour big improvement . Safe and Happy Cruising .. George