help wanted re solar panels 4 75 kombi camper

ned Slammed & Awesome Dubber

78 posts · joined Aug 2004 · 11 Aug 2004, 9:18 pm

#215842

does anyone know whether it is possible to attach solar panels to my 75 kombi camper? i mainly want to run a small blow heater and small tv (i'm old and need my comforts! besides i don't have a tv at home so its a novelty)
i am about as handy as an ash tray on a motor cycle when it comes to building etc and the most complex piece of toolery i own is a claw hammer, but i'll try anything once.

thanx
ned

i plan to live forever.....so far so good.

vwombat Hey Ho - Lets GO!

1,218 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 11 Aug 2004, 10:44 pm

#215949

You wont have much fun attaching it to that nice curvy roof. Maybe you can buy an external panel kit linked to a battery array? My Uncle has something funky attached to his Caravan roof like that. Maybe you really should talk to some manufacturers?

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 11 Aug 2004, 11:07 pm

#215972

Whitworths' (spelling??) and BIAS boating shops sell solar panels. They have small ,medium and large sizes as well as flexible panels that can curve.

The other option is "BP Solar" located at Brookvale in Sydney.

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 11 Aug 2004, 11:29 pm

#215997

i good mate of mine * very old 79 * has these all over his 4x 4 , he also has these all over his house , he feeds this back into the grid and gets $ form western power .he ran power stations in his 20ts .
there the BP units .Try the paper O bega is ?

Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

vwking Officially Full-On Dubber

294 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 11 Aug 2004, 11:34 pm

#216002

i have 80 watts solar panal mounted on roof rack on 76 camper fits well

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 12 Aug 2004, 11:29 am

#216164

Don't forget to get an auxilliary battery as well! Then you can run whatever you like (TV, fan) off the auxilliary, and if you do run it flat you can still start the motor from the main battery. Kombis are great because there's another tray on the left to put the auxilliary.

Usually you have a heavy duty relay that connects the two batterys when the motor is running. The alternator charges both batterys while the motor is running, they are then disconnected when the motor is off.

For more info check out this link:
http://www.aussiekombicampers.com/projects_cebm.shtml

1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

surfbus Casual Dubber

21 posts · joined Jul 2004 · 12 Aug 2004, 12:24 pm

#216184

I placed two solar panels on the roof of my first 73 kombi using roof racks three pieces of channel and 6 U bolts. The auxilary battery is a must if you are going to be running a blow heater . The heater will drain you batteries in no time. A small TV will run for days on a small battery.

The best advice I can offer is to go to a yacht chandelry and take you blow heater with you and ask them for advice. The yachties know all about solar power setups.

Pete

ned Slammed & Awesome Dubber

78 posts · joined Aug 2004 · 13 Aug 2004, 7:18 pm

#217279

Thanx to all who have offered advice, i had not thought of the yachtie aspect, (i have a whitworths catalogue somewhere too) i really appreciate the time and effort you've taken to answer.

cheers
ned🙂

i plan to live forever.....so far so good.