A new project, slim line storage box

Now I have a couple of folding solar panels to supplement the already fitted panels I need a little storage solution for them, in the 3 years I have only taken the bike one on the rack and then I had an accident so the bike rack has been removed leaving just the inner frame.

I want to add a slim back box large enough for the 2 panels but the Fiammia and Thurle offerings are rather bulky so thinking outside the box I have bought a 800mm x 600mm x 250mm Electrical switch gear panel that’s waterproof and will fit to the rack nicely, these are in excess of £270 but searching Farce book market place I found a brand new one for £56 delivered so that should be here on Wednesday.

Photos of installation to follow

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And only adds 250mm to the overall length

Someone I know got a large storage box online from Temu. Fiammia and Thurle are asking crazy prices. For occasional use, these look the part for a fraction of the cost. Although I don't think they are designed for external use, the guy who recommended it to him used it without any problems. I'll hold off until he uses his and gives me some feedback. 

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Just info for anyone contemplating a ' storage back' box of any sorts, my Fiamma Cargo leaks like a sieve and has done since day 1, despite fabsil sprays all over and especially the seams.

The box arrived today so we had a test fit, all looks ok and not to bulky, stands out a bit in the colour it came in but just taken it to our local spray shop and they are going to spray it the same colour as the van at a cost of £60

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So much sleeker and in keeping with the van than those from Fiamma and elsewhere.

Tim

Kemerton-bath wrote:So much sleeker and in keeping with the van than those from Fiamma and elsewhere.

Tim

Will look even better when it’s had it’s paint job, same colour match to van

The box came back from the spray shop today, £60 to have it matched to the paint van, fitted and it looks a lot better now

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A very professional looking job. As others have said it looks neater than the normal back boxes. I assume because it dosnt stick out too far you won’t need to have warning stickers on it.

Very neat Chris - I like the compactness of it and it's a bonus that they are made to a good waterproof standard.  Unusual too - obviously thinking outside the box!  (sorry).

Regards,

Must say box does look good and i like the number plate. Kevin

kevjan wrote:Must say box does look good and i like the number plate. Kevin

So do I: that's a Welsh plate!

Cymro

Total cost of the box, paint job and fixings is £123.98 which is a lot cheap than other options, a large Fiammia or Thurle box would not suit the lines of the van, I could have gone a little larger with the electrical box and used a fibreglass one but would have had to buy from a shop at extra cost so this worked out well.

The wife bought me the number plate, C L my initials 62 year of birth and WXL for the van, but it will also stand for Was Extra Large as I lost 12.5stone of Blubber in 2018 and dropped from 24.9stone

Well done you deserve a number plate of your own that's a big achievement. congratulations. Kevin

Looks great Chris, like the colour co-ord.
One thing missing though, perhaps, you've got a 250 x 600 flat top on that surely room for more solar!!

CU next week sometime.....

IanH wrote:Looks great Chris, like the colour co-ord.
One thing missing though, perhaps, you've got a 250 x 600 flat top on that surely room for more solar!!

CU next week sometime.....

There’s a thought and an extra battery in the box .

We get there Saturday afternoon so will speak sometime after that

All it needs is an AS badge on it and Autosleepers could be getting hassled for it as an optional extra

Dave Gee wrote:All it needs is an AS badge on it and Autosleepers could be getting hassled for it as an optional extra

There’s one on its way from eBay