This comes in two parts:
Actually, not quite 2 parts. The last part is the flexible connection between the hatch lid and the control unit. This was not easy to source. Basically, what is needed is what is known as a curly-cord - i.e. the sort of cable that (at least, used to) connect your old landline handset to the phone. But with a higher current-carrying capacity.
Why? The idea here is to have the solar panels permanently connected to the batteries through the control unit but not have cables dangling about the cabin. If set up right, the curly-cord would be taught if the hatch is in the fully-closed or fully-open position, and a bit may hang down if it is half way between the two. It had to carry a max current of about 2A.
I spoke to the manufacturers and they were happy to do it for a batch no less than 200 pieces. Hmm. Then, I thought, what about those ceiling lights that you could pull down that were so popular in the 70's? 35 years too late, apparently. It was Kim who hit on it. Electric shavers used to have such things. We found a supplier of spare parts for old shavers and, yes, they had the goods.
To cut the cable to size, it was a matter of laying it between the control unit and the solar panel terminal box, giving it a little stretch and cutting it to this length. Then I fitted a cigarette lighter plug to each end. That's it.
What should have been done differently
Apart from the bits and pieces in the sub-projects, nothing. This turned out to be a good project.
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