…or yellow, for that matter. Changing PVC pipe from its off white or white to another color can be interesting.
Let’s look at how I did the "small solar panel holder" [another Topeak DeFender™ M2 Fender]. I attached two straight pipes to the boxes by using a screw & nut through a plug glued [with the PVC cement] into the ends. The next section has 2 elbows, 2 straight pieces, a T-connector, and another straight piece at the top. The top is capped with a table leg foot.
Now, the black part: I used 2 sections of 3" black heat-shrink-tubing [HST] and then trimmed the end closest to the box. Next, two more short sections to get as close to the "T" as possible, and then, a straight piece from the top, down to the "T". This left an area of white, which is now painted black with a rubber based paint. I fashioned a neat collar to hide the white, but have not used it because I plan to place some type reflector on this appendage—maybe a slow-moving-vehicle [SMV] triangle. It or any other large reflector will hide the paint or collar from normal view. The bottom of an SMV emblem is to be 2′ to 6′ from the ground. I’d be just under that. But, I digress.
I also used two straight sections of black HST on the sections attached to the box. Then the more difficult part: I cut two 3"-sections that overlap the "T" and elbows. The trick was getting the back section on and tapped in before the PVC cement set [which happen rather quickly]. All this, while trying to keep things plumb. The final step was to shrink those last 2 pieces of HST—job complete. By gluing on the back section, I no longer have outside access to the screws. I locked the nuts in place by using a second nut. I do not have to worry about this appendage coming a loose. Just remember, it is not a handle.
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