Solar Array and Tent Canvas

Several folks asked me about some of the modifications I'd made to Siduri.  Some info on those mods follows:


Solar Array

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/GGX-ENERGY-DIY-Portable-Folding-100W-18V-Monocrystalline-Solar-Panel-Charger-Bag-for-Laptop-12V-Battery/32808889330.html?spm=2114.search0104.8.80.49ZCCj

The array was connected to a solar controller that was mounted to the kitchen pod behind the driver's seat.    The controller's battery output  was connected to the house battery under the seat and it's device output was connected to a small outlet strip that was mounted to the rear of the kitchen pod.    The faucet/shower water pump, a dual cigarette lighter adapter and the Dometic fridge cooler were plugged in to the strip.  

New Tent Canvas

http://shop.cavevan.com/collections/eurovan/products/replacement-tent-fabric-for-westfalia-weekender?variant=15793717571

I ordered this top as it has been modified with a smaller diameter 1/8" rope piping.  Other vendors sell the same top with a 1/4" rope piping which is larger that the original top and makes reinstallation very difficult.   As far as I can tell all of the aftermarket tops that are available are made by one source,  ACME Auto Headliners out of California.  
The canvas is easy to remove and reinstall.    Here are a few pointers:

1. Open the top and remove the front upper bed board.  I found it helpful to put a towel on the leading edge of the top and then open it while in a carport so that the top hit the ceiling and could not fully open.   Doing so took the tension off the canvas during removal and installation.   Any trellis or tree limb at the right height could perform the same function.

2.   Mark the metal pieces that hold the canvas to the roof to keep track of where they were located and their orientation.    I marked mine with a sharpie as front, rear, right and left with an arrow pointing to the front.   It's also helpful to mark the center of the front and rear pieces at this point for later use in reinstalling the top.   Also mark the center of the front and rear of the frame around the roof hole.  

3. Remove the screws that hold the metal pieces to the roof and set the pieces and screws off to the side.  

4.  The bottom of the canvas is held to the roof by a piece of rubber piping that snaps in to a track in the metal frame around the hole.   Look at the center rear of the frame and find the seam where the piping meets.    Pry one side of the piping out of the track and then carefully pull the piping out of the track all the way around the vehicle.   Take your time during this process.  If the piping twists or catches it can break.   Here's a source for the piping if its old or breaks and you need to replace it.

http://www.poptopshop.nl/a-38015431/t4-hefdak/rubber-pees-voor-hefdakdoek-montage/

5.   Slip the old top over the rear and pull to the front to remove (or vice versa).

6.  Take this opportunity to tighten the frame screws and clean around it.   Spray a light coating of silicone spray in to the track when done to make it easier to reinstall the piping.  

7.   Fold the new top to find the center of the top and the bottom at the front and rear.   Mark that center with a sharpie with a 3/4" line so that you'll be able to see it when reinstalling the metal pieces  and piping.  

8.   Slide the new canvas over the top so that the small vent is facing up at the front.  

9.  Starting by mounting the top front of the canvas.    Carefully line up the center lines on the top and the front metal piece.   Place the rope piping in the forward part of the metal frame so that the screw is behind it and does not go through the fabric.   Follow this procedure all along the front piece and tighten the screws enough to secure the canvas but loose enough so that it can be adjusted if necessary.   Repeat this procedure with the rear piece.   Then install the side pieces.    If you have any looseness in the fabric you can adjust it before tightening the brackets to the roof.

10.   Insert the rope piping at the bottom of the canvas in to the track at the rear of the roof hole frame.  Line up the center lines.   Insert the rubber piping in to the track and snap it in to the track to the second ridge.   There are three ridges.  You'll only want to pop the third ridge in to place after the top is lined up properly at the front and rear and you've adjusted for any slack along the sides.   Once your satisfied that everything is lined up, secure the top by popping the third ridge in to place.   I used the tool all the way to the right in the image at the link below to push the piping in to place without damaging it.  The piping should look "flat" without any warps when properly inserted.  

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/trim-moulding/5-piece-auto-trim-and-molding-tool-set-67021.html