Technical Roof rib positions ?

[Anthony489]

Hi

As a change from providing answers, for once it's me asking a question. I am about to fit a solar panel to the roof of my motorhome, which is a van conversion based on a 2008 X250 Ducato, Length L3 (6m), Height H2.

To route the wires through the roof, I need to drill a hole (it will go through to the inside of a wardrobe). Ideally I'd like to avoid any of the bodywork strengthening ribs that run side-to-side. Problem is, I can't see any of them because the roof is fully trimmed and I don't have X-ray vision.


Does anyone have an untrimmed van they are willing to put a tape measure to ? I suspect the ribs are still in the same places even on current vans.

 

[Communicator]

Could you use a stud finder? Worth a try, since it would be looking at either insulation or partial void, or the steel rib.

 

[chris3234]

Could you use a stud finder? Worth a try, since it would be looking at either insulation or partial void, or the steel rib.

Personally I'd think it would pick up the sheet roofing but not a lot of people probably have a stud finder laying around

 

[Anthony489]

Thanks to Communicator for the stud finder suggestion. I must confess I had my doubts whether it would work, due to the proximity of the steel roof panel. However, I gave it a try, and IT WORKED ! I had to wind back the sensitivity of the metal detector (nail finder) and space it slightly away from the roof lining to avoid it sounding continuously.


Just for the record in case anyone ever looks up this post, here are the positions counting from front to rear, measured relative to the panel join seam (driver's side) which is the same as the trailing edge of the sliding door (passenger side). Bearing in mind the measurement method, the accuracy is probably +/- 50 mm and each rib could be 50 mm wide.


Rib 1 700 mm in front of seam
Rib 2 50 mm behind seam
Rib 3 615 mm behind seam
Rib 4 1365 mm behind seam
Rib 5 2055 mm behind seam (about 200 mm in front of rear doors, 6m van)

 

[chris3234]

Thanks to Communicator for the stud finder suggestion. I must confess I had my doubts whether it would work, due to the proximity of the steel roof panel. However, I gave it a try, and IT WORKED ! I had to wind back the sensitivity of the metal detector (nail finder) and space it slightly away from the roof lining to avoid it sounding continuously.


Just for the record in case anyone ever looks up this post, here are the positions counting from front to rear, measured relative to the panel join seam (driver's side) which is the same as the trailing edge of the sliding door (passenger side). Bearing in mind the measurement method, the accuracy is probably +/- 50 mm and each rib could be 50 mm wide.


Rib 1 700 mm in front of seam
Rib 2 50 mm behind seam
Rib 3 615 mm behind seam
Rib 4 1365 mm behind seam
Rib 5 2055 mm behind seam (about 200 mm in front of rear doors, 6m van)

Must admit I was surprised it worked hopefully your approx measurement's will help somebody's else