Just found this fantastic site!
Does anyone out there know anything about solar panels for Kombi Campers? I've seen a few mounted on the dash panels.
I have a 76 Bay with dual batteries and would like to know if a solar panel could help with camping power loads, how it would be wired up, size and costs etc
Many thanks
Curious, what is the site? also interested in this! I wonder if the government provide any rebate for solar panels on vehicles as they do for solar panels on houses? 😠
Just Kampers in the UK do them, I will find all the info and post it later and pics.
They do many nice little touches for a Kombi
Cheers
Roy
Buy your own and fit them to a roof rack, simple as. Keep your eyes out for specials on panels as the market is hotting up for them now and good deals are available.
I bought two panels ~1 1/2 years ago that put out 6amps in full sun.
They work great, but the down side is you need to park so they get good sun all day to be effective.
Search some web pages of places that specialise in panels, they have good details to help you size the panel you need.
The little ones you see on some ones dash are really good for nothing.
Richard
yep I have 2 of the $29 ones you can buy everywhere, joined together, on the dash in full sun the most I have ever got out of them is 81 milliamps, which may keep the clock running for a while.
Please, I need drivers side window regulator (winder mechanism) for my '54
I have a small solar panel (2W) stuck with silastic to the poptop of my camper to keep the main battery topped up. I just put in a second battery and intend to put on another small panel (2-4W) to put some juice into it.
The panel size you need depends mostly on what your loads are. The second battery will also usually be charged by the alternator so it also depends on how long you sit in the one place. In my case, I only run fluorescent lighting from the battery (about 5-10 Ahrs per night) and have no problems sitting for several days. A guy at work with a caravan has estimated that his worst case loads are 20Ahrs per night. He has a 100Ahr battery (probably a bit small) and is getting a 50W panel to power it.
Larger panels need a regulator to stop them from overcharging the battery. If you have a small panel (<5W) you won't need a regulator.
could you just run it into your alternators regulator rather then gettign another regulator?
Reimagined/Recycled/Upcycled Cool
Not sure why you couldn't, but I opted for a regulator specific for the solar panel, it gave me the option to set the voltages it carges at, when it stops and a number of other cool options you don't get with a normal alternator one (like trickle charging etc etc).
DON'T go by a panels rated wattage, as that is a maximum available, and is usually at it's maximum valtage (often over 16V), the output is reduced once it's regulated to 12V. Ask what current it puts out. You will also find output depends on the angle the sun hits the panel.
I have a measured 6 amps from both my panels (hooked in parallel), fixed to my roof rack slightly angled (not flat). Pointing my kombi north when I park I only get 6 amps for 2-3hrs on a good sunny day in summer, this drops to ~2amps by 4pm.
Take into account output is almost nothing if there's a shadow on it and you don't get a huge amount of charging in a day.
I use mine to run the fridge (50L Engle) with a 100AH battery and can sit for ~5 days without starting the van if I get full sun each day. The battery needs a full charge to bring it back to full after that.
Lights and cooking is on gas.
The following are supplied by ClassicVW(pacific) as Australian distributer for Just Kampers in the UK,
12V Solar powered unit
5 watt solar panel for trickle charging your car battery, complete with crocodile clips & 3 metre lead.
Size 465x315x23
Briefcase solar power unit - folds out, easy storage and handling.
powerful 13 watt charger
adjustable angle support
charges 3v,6v,9v and 12v appliances. Ideal for charging car batteries mobile phones, laptop computers
complete with all leads
Size folded 525x334
Size open 525x670x20
Cheers
Roy
Often the Marine Suppliers have better battery management equipment including solar; here's an example of a 75 Watt panel and controller, which is closer to the size needed for real independence:
http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=123&item=80020
hth
Peter Hill
1975 Type 2 Double Cab
modulus.com.auI've got one of these from Dick Smith on my poptop:
http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4281ab8a0ac40c2a273fc0a87f9c074d/Product/View/O3302
I ran the cable under the headliner, down the inside of the poptop canvas, behind a cupboard, then through the wall into the air-scoop channel thingy and down to the battery. I've got it wired to trickle-charge the Main battery to ensure I always have charge for starting, no matter if the Auxiliary battery is totally flat.
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper
Jay Car electronics also have some solar equipment.
http://www1.jaycar.com.au/
