Elddis Heki Roof Lights

Milothedog
Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
1000 Comments
edited July 2017 in Caravans #1

Afternoon campers wink

On the off chance, can anyone with an Elddis or similar fitted with Heki roof lights , who keeps their caravan at home, tell me what the distance is edge to edge of the channels that the blinds move in.  Unfortunately I have keep mine in storage and its an hours drive away.

I have purchased a solar panel to keep the battery topped up and hope to use two battens loosely placed in the roof light blind / fly screen channels for the solar panel to rest on inside the caravan. I would like to make them at home and just take them with me next time I pick the caravan up on the 21st for our next trip. Also, does anyone know if the 12v TV points are permanently live and bypass the master switch? 

Thanks in advance.

Ian.

Comments

  • DreamyD
    DreamyD Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited July 2017 #2

    By chance I did a very quick initial measurement of the rooflight the last time I went over to the caravan (in storage, again about an hour away) as I have had a similar thought about mounting a solar panel there. I measured the clearance size (which came out as 75 * 53 cms), so obviously the size across the channels will be slightly different. If you've got the time, it would probably be best to take a trip out to the 'van to check dimensions, especially as the channels aren't particularly big.

    A concern I  had was that  the plastic frame might be a bit fragile for taking the weight of a solar panel.

    I'm not absolutely certain, but I think the power to the 12V sockets is controlled by the master switch rather than being permanently live. So no easy connection point there!

    Cheers. It woild be interesting to know if anybody else has used the skylight for mounting  a solar panel, and how well the arrangement works - particularly how it affects the power output from the SP

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2017 #3

    Thanks DD,

    I suspect your right about the power points having looked at the wiring diagram. I will have to test it with my Multi meter. I have a plan B as there is an extra 12v socket in the battery box that appears to be wired direct to the battery for external solar panels.So I may have to just connect to the spade connectors on it under the bench seat in side the caravan

    The one I have is not heavy and only a 6W battery maintainer See Here. I only paid £20 for with my trade card so thought it's worth a try. I think I'll just cut some batten longer than you suggest and take a small saw with me.

    I have successfully used a similar, smaller  SP on the inside of a double glazed window for a few years now on a motorbike so don't expect any issues with it behind a skylight. 

    Thanks again, I''ll post how it worked out when I have tried and tested it.

Categories