I've just bought a 74 Kombi and have got some general questions mainly to do with the camping conversion aspect (Phil74camper your bus looks pretty similar to my model and you mentioned camping in one of your replies, so if you can help...)

1) any good resource sites for the typical wiring of the dual battery system, fridge etc?
1a) what device do I install in the dual battery setup to prevent both batteries draining, so there will always be enough charge to start the motor?
2) is there an easy way of testing the fridge myself before I have to take it to an auto electricians?
3) are there any companies who specialise in the camping side of Kombis?
4) what's the best place to get hold of an owner manual so I can find out what things are supposed to do what (like the fuses?)?
5) At some stage it looks like it had a table that slid into a metal retaining ...bracket. Also some plastic grommets on the exterior of the sliding door which I guess the table clipped into. Anyone know any sites or reference points that would describe the camping set up?

thanks in advance, hope someone can shed some light,

Ian

an englishman's wiring diagram with fridge. might help?
Ian in Adelaide

http://www.specialpatrolgroup.co.uk/spooky/wiring/wiring.html 

if your handy with a soldering iron Jaycar sell a kit you can make for $49.95 to set up a dual battery.

http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KA1782&CATID=25&keywords...

hope the link works

Also Kmart have a device for sale that monitors the level of your battery and turns off the power to whatever you plug in to it when your battery gets low.

Hmm that doesn't sound right so here goes.

You connect this device to your battery and you plug your fridge into the device when your battery gets low it turns your fridge off, so you have enough power to start your car - not ithe ideal solution but it's only $20. - I have one installed in my Discovery and run a cooler on it. - repco charge $40 for the same thing !

dont know about the camper questions but I prefer the HAYNES manual. Auto 1 type places keep them but you might need to order a kombi one in.

1)Vintagebus.com
2)plug it in, turn it on (thats what i did)
3)Try Trakka, they used to, may still, otherwise u can gat a cabinetmaker to do the interior and get the bits from a camper shop
4)if u search there are a couple scanned and online, cant remember where, sorry
5)not a clue

hope this helps

Thanks for the suggestions!

Am currently downloading a wiring diagram from the vintagebus site, and will be getting one of those dual battery systems from Jaycar, there's a branch near me (link worked fine).

Have tried searching for an Owners Handbook several times with no joy.

Likewise the fridge - doesn't seem to be working on electric, but most probably worth posting the question on its own.

Liked the English bloke's fridge wiring diagram, need to decide if I understand it!!

Thanks again.

Get it quick before Brad deletes it!!!

And the Key....

:thumb:thumb:thumb:thumb:thumb:thumb

Gotcha !

If brad (When) Brad deletes em I'll post em my site

Ian,

Do you know which company did your camper conversion? This would help in answering your camper specific questions.

As for getting camper type stuff, you can try caravan supply places.

perfecto, many thanks for the diagram!

Don't know who did my conversion, in fact didn't realise they are all converted (being new to Kombis).

I'll try Trakka and see if it is a design they are familiar with...
:beer

anyone know if this is close enough for a 2L.

I would love a wiring diagram - mines a 2L Suth Efrican bus - standard carb / electronic ignition

Barry on behalf of Daisy

gimme a couple of days blue74, and I'l scan and email u the diagrams that came with my 2ltr bus

Sorry for not replying for a few days as I haven't been on line until now.

The battery is an easy one. Caravan and Camping shops sell them, as all these 4WDers with their pretend campers get them fitted. All good auto electrics shops can also supply and fit them for you; I got mine done at Rivo Auto Electrics at Blacktown. I rewired all my camping system so that everything comes off the second battery, through a second fusebox under the sink.

What sort of fridge do you have? The Electrolux Ram 24 that came with the factory (Sopru) campers was a three-way, which means it runs on LPG, 240V or 12V. The switch on the bottom right will select between the three. Running the fridge on 12V will flatten the battery in a few hours, so that isn't the ideal way to check it. Grab the 240V lead and plug it into your garage wall socket. Leave it on for at least six hours. The rear should get quite warm (there is a heating element inside the rectangular, insulated box) and the fridge should get cold.

If it works on 240V it should work on 12V so long as the switch isn't faulty. It may be that the previous owner disconnected the 12V wires, as if he forgot to turn it off then the battery goes flat quickly. There is only two 12V wires to connect - the red power lead and the black earth. If in doubt, disconnect them and attach to a spare car battery. If it then works, it's only your 12V wiring which is faulty.

The gas is another story altogether!

I know two shops in Sydney - firstly there is Caravan Accessories at Kogarah. They have a workshop for caravan fitout and will be able to fix your fridge and wiring if need be. Gas too. The other is John Terry at Yagaoona - they used to be Kombi only but nowadays do all the Jap camper conversions. Trakka may be able to help but I doubt it. They only convert new T4 Transporters and other marques nowadays.

Owners manual - I'm looking for one myself. I have a '72 manual but mine's a '74 so it isn't quite right. Swapmeets at VW shows are probably the best, followed by a VW wrecker if you're lucky. Try the swapmeet at Bulli in a couple of weeks, or the Nationals at Easter. Workshop manuals for VW Type 2s can be found in any auto book specialist.

The last one mystifies me...mine doesn't have anything like that!

I should be at Bulli - you bring your Kombi and I'll bring mine!

where was this disc months ago when i was lookin for a chear twin batt controller,

jacar's setup pisses all over the big boys (arb & oppp lock), if you can weild a soldering iron & run some cables.

excellent

thanks guys for the feedback we're driving the Kombi down to Adelaide tomorrow to start a new jobbie/life so with new found camping knowledge on-board we'll see how we go!!

Ian