Solar kit from Califaktur.de

[SwissTotorino]

Hi folks,

Has anyone had any experience with the kit from Califaktur?

They seem to be well made and relatively not so expensive to get in Switzerland (local assemblers charge 2x).

 

[dspuk]

These look really nice. I have a single one of Rogers panel and these, to me, look sleeker and a little less hand made.

Expensive though at 1300 quid… and Victron so in that config does not do starter.

 

[stim]

@SwissTotorino did you pull the trigger on this panel setup from Califraktur? Thinking about doing the same, also delivered to Switzerland. These are a very clean setup. There is a similar priced kit in Switzerland but the cabling is wrapped up and ziptied on top, not so nice.

 

[SwissTotorino]

@SwissTotorino did you pull the trigger on this panel setup from Califraktur? Thinking about doing the same, also delivered to Switzerland. These are a very clean setup. There is a similar priced kit in Switzerland but the cabling is wrapped up and ziptied on top, not so nice.

Not yet, I'll reconsider in Spring.

There seems to be more info & (positive) feedback on German forums (clapboard.de)

 

[stim]

I was in touch with the guy over email. He seemed helpful. I did manage to find all the separate parts of his build online so I might spec it up myself and source the panels in Switzerland.

 

[SwissTotorino]

I was in touch with the guy over email. He seemed helpful. I did manage to find all the separate parts of his build online so I might spec it up myself and source the panels in Switzerland.

Did you get to that project? I'd be curious to see the final result

 

[stim]

Did you get to that project? I'd be curious to see the final result

Hi, no I did not move forward on this yet. I'm still deciding whether I get solar or upgrade the battery to lithium as the first step.

 

[ALFIrE]

I bought that exact same solar panel (Bosswerk neptun 130) myself, an identical aluminium carrier (vagabunde) and a victron 75/15. Didn't want that curly cable, so used a scanstrut. Cable invisible from behind and inside. (cable lenght from solar panel itself is perfect, no extra connections needed)

Ended up around 350 euros. DIY install not that difficult if you're a bit handy at least.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

This is one of the cheaper ones in Switzerland compared to CaliSolar or Hess:

Swiss Plug&Play Solar Systeme für Camper und Camper-Vans

In der Schweiz entwickelt u. konfektionierte Solarsysteme für Wohnmobile und Campingbusse. Einzigartiges Plug & Play System, keine Bohren oder Kleben nötig.

www.solar-tx.com

 

[fluff34567]

Hess are crazy prices anyway

 

[dspuk]

Still like this kit and the profile. Much prefer to Rogers frames.

 

[fluff34567]

I bought that exact same solar panel (Bosswerk neptun 130) myself, an identical aluminium carrier (vagabunde) and a victron 75/15. Didn't want that curly cable, so used a scanstrut. Cable invisible from behind and inside. (cable lenght from solar panel itself is perfect, no extra connections needed)

Ended up around 350 euros. DIY install not that difficult if you're a bit handy at least.

And noise or vibration from the panel when driving ?

 

[stim]

This is one of the cheaper ones in Switzerland compared to CaliSolar or Hess:

Swiss Plug&Play Solar Systeme für Camper und Camper-Vans

In der Schweiz entwickelt u. konfektionierte Solarsysteme für Wohnmobile und Campingbusse. Einzigartiges Plug & Play System, keine Bohren oder Kleben nötig.

www.solar-tx.com

This one is actually quite expensive. Seems to be around 1900euros for 220w. Califaktur is 1540euro for 260w and 1450chf for this one: https://www.waerchzueg.ch/products/...deregler-mit-bluetooth?variant=40830467866792

 

[stim]

I bought that exact same solar panel (Bosswerk neptun 130) myself, an identical aluminium carrier (vagabunde) and a victron 75/15. Didn't want that curly cable, so used a scanstrut. Cable invisible from behind and inside. (cable lenght from solar panel itself is perfect, no extra connections needed)

Ended up around 350 euros. DIY install not that difficult if you're a bit handy at least.

What is vagabunde? I googled it, didn't return anything relevant.

 

[fluff34567]

Also put vw and u will see the website

 

[stim]

Also put vw and u will see the website

Still not! Google searches vary between countries. Do you have a link?

 

[ALFIrE]

And noise or vibration from the panel when driving ?

None!

 

[ALFIrE]

What is vagabunde? I googled it, didn't return anything relevant.

Solar Platte Modul Halter VW California | Van Vagabunden Zelle Flex

Eine universelle Adapterplatte um diene Solarzelle auf des Dach des VW California zu Montieren.

www.van-vagabunden.de

Their product is really nice finished. Including the mounting hardware.

 

[Roger Boeken]

Still not! Google searches vary between countries. Do you have a link?

Roofboard Roofrack VW California T5 T6 T6.1 | Van Vagabunden

Super leichter und stabiler Dachkorb für VW T5 T6 T6.1 California

www.van-vagabunden.de

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

I bought that exact same solar panel (Bosswerk neptun 130) myself, an identical aluminium carrier (vagabunde) and a victron 75/15. Didn't want that curly cable, so used a scanstrut. Cable invisible from behind and inside. (cable lenght from solar panel itself is perfect, no extra connections needed)

Ended up around 350 euros. DIY install not that difficult if you're a bit handy at least.

All for around 350€, the aluminium carrier from Vagabunde alone is 330€.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

This one is actually quite expensive. Seems to be around 1900euros for 220w. Califaktur is 1540euro for 260w and 1450chf for this one: https://www.waerchzueg.ch/products/...deregler-mit-bluetooth?variant=40830467866792

Have you calculated both shipping and import taxes? At any rate, this is definitely one of the cheapest ones available in Switzerland direct which was the point of my post stating "in Switzerland" for those like yourself that might not want to deal with the shipping, etc and prefer to have it available locally. Also easier for warranty issues if any arise.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

This one is actually quite expensive. Seems to be around 1900euros for 220w. Califaktur is 1540euro for 260w and 1450chf for this one: https://www.waerchzueg.ch/products/...deregler-mit-bluetooth?variant=40830467866792

Apologies, I just saw that your link is in Switzerland and thought you were referring to the one in Germany. Need coffee.

 

[ALFIrE]

All for around 350€, the aluminium carrier from Vagabunde alone is 330€.

nope, its 169.90

Solar Platte Modul Halter VW California | Van Vagabunden

Eine universelle Adapterplatte um diene Solarzelle auf des Dach des VW California zu Montieren.

www.van-vagabunden.de

around 130 for the panel
50-60 for the victron

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

nope, its 169.90

Solar Platte Modul Halter VW California | Van Vagabunden

Eine universelle Adapterplatte um diene Solarzelle auf des Dach des VW California zu Montieren.

www.van-vagabunden.de

around 130 for the panel
50-60 for the victron

Ah, I clicked on a different link a few posts up, took me to something else from them.

 

[stim]

Have you calculated both shipping and import taxes? At any rate, this is definitely one of the cheapest ones available in Switzerland direct which was the point of my post stating "in Switzerland" for those like yourself that might not want to deal with the shipping, etc and prefer to have it available locally. Also easier for warranty issues if any arise.

The califaktur one is taxes paid to Switzerland and he told me if there is a warranty problem, he takes care of all the taxes and delivery to ship it back. delivery to CH is 39 euros.