Hiace Poptop

Submitted: Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 11:50
ThreadID: 80410 Views:2917 Replies:3 FollowUps:4
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Hi We have a hiace camper with a poptop roof. We have put a solar panel on the roof but now find it a bit harder to push up. Can we get a stonger set of springs to make it easier or an extra set on the back. Any other ideas to make raising the roof a bit easier? Cheers
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Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 12:26

Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 12:26
The panel would only weigh 13 or 15 Kg, are you sure it is a bit harder to push up due to the extra weight or maybe some damage done in installation ?

Maîneÿ . . .
AnswerID: 425737

Follow Up By: get outmore - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 16:24

Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 16:24
dunno if youve never used a pop top or maybbe you work out a fair bit

but at least with the pop top i had it involved standing in the centre of the top and grabbing 2 handles and pushing up until the springs could take over and lift it

now visit your local gym and grab a barbel with maybe 10kg on it (guessing this might approximate the weight the weight of the existing poptop) and lift it above your head.......

now put "only" another 15kg onto the bar and repeat
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FollowupID: 696279

Reply By: get outmore - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 16:27

Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 16:27
Im not sure if stronger springs will help as from memory you have to overcome the springs at the start of the lift before they take over and assist with the lift

how much room do the panels take up?

I had a mini roof rack on my camper, could the be relocated like that off of the pop top?
AnswerID: 425752

Follow Up By: redsocks - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 08:02

Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 08:02
Yes thats what I did. Put a roof rack on to the roof of the hiace and then bolted a 65w solar panel to it . We already had both these items and it seemed a pity not to use them (involved drilling holes in the side of th roof which was a bit of a worry) Works like a charm but does make the roof a bit heavy. Thought of putting fishing rods etc up there as well but wondered if I am that strong!!
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FollowupID: 696321

Follow Up By: get outmore - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 09:02

Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 09:02
arr sorry checked out your profile pic
your set up is slightly different to what I had - The pop t
op area didnt extend over the roof like yours hence the suggestion
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FollowupID: 696325

Reply By: Member - Peter E1 (VIC) - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 16:52

Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 16:52
Are you sure the lead from the panel to the regulator or battery isn't caught somewhere? My pop-top is really easy to push up, even too quick sometimes. It really makes a cracking sound if you push too hard.
Hope you find the answer to your problem.
AnswerID: 425754

Follow Up By: redsocks - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 08:06

Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 08:06
Dont think there is any thing catching but will check. Might just try a bit of WD40!
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FollowupID: 696323

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