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CamperFam
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For anyone interested, i've just listed our SolarCamperSolution panels for sale. https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...etooth-mppt-controller-£520-colchester.54746/
Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop
You have to write a message to me first and then I can reply.@kave please please please can you message me thank you
You both have to be paid up members to exchange private messages.You have to write a message to me first and then I can reply.
lol.. yes my wife just enlightened me of thoseEcoflow = coffee machine + wife's hairdryer/straighteners
Ecoflow or Swarey = 240v electricityId like to expand this discussion if i may.. Im slowly coming round to solars benefits - free energy using a device I can forget about; while on site, while at home, while driving... (altho recouping initial outlay will take some time).
Power stations (ecoflow) is a harder sell for me. What do I REALLY need one for? ..Toaster? Airfrier? Fan heater? Store more energy ontop of my leisure batteries? I love the off grid concept, but with the 350w Cali inverter and the relative low cost/btu of gas/diesel (which i have in abundance onboard), Im really struggling to justify the outlay, extra weight/strorage space, 'gadget hassle' etc..
Anyone convince me otherwise?
(all a bit of fun)
Sure, and thanks, but I already have the VW inverter under the driver seat ...Ecoflow or Swarey = 240v electricity
Afraid that's not much good, 300w max.Sure, and thanks, but I already have the VW inverter under the driver seat ...
No experience, but a good excuse to head to Switzerland for a fitting?Anyone any view/experience on Califaktur panels? They're rated at 310w for 2 panels, albeit more expensive (and not sold in the UK from what I can tell). They look a little more elegant design.
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Califaktur.de - Solar system for your VW California
The solar system for your VW California. Volkswagen T5 T6 T6.1. High-quality solar brand module Made in Germany, clean, stylish and with minimal installation height. Installation on VW California original C-rail. Without drilling and gluing. Semi-flexible monocrystalline solar panel 130 & 260Wp...www.califaktur.de
Yeah,,.. VW say surge up to 450w so I tried the straighteners... naaah heats then trips.Afraid that's not much good, 300w max.
A decent power pack will boil a kettle, power a hair dryer ect.
For me, I initially didn't go for an Ecoflow. Was OK mostly but just fridge, lights, phones and internet at one festival (so not actually in the van that much), I was eating through battery faster than the panel could charge each day. I released for longer periods off grid, potentially with the fixed roof panel not getting the sun, I needed more panel(s) and / or more battery. I also needed the ability to charge run two laptops (I work from the van occasionally) which the existing van USB's just couldn't cope with at a decent rate, if it all.Id like to expand this discussion if i may.. Im slowly coming round to solars benefits - free energy using a device I can forget about; while on site, while at home, while driving... (altho recouping initial outlay will take some time).
Power stations (ecoflow) is a harder sell for me. What do I REALLY need one for? ..Toaster? Airfrier? Fan heater? Store more energy ontop of my leisure batteries? I love the off grid concept, but with the 350w Cali inverter and the relative low cost/btu of gas/diesel (which i have in abundance onboard), Im really struggling to justify the outlay, extra weight/strorage space, 'gadget hassle' etc..
Anyone convince me otherwise?
(all a bit of fun)
Thank you for your insight. Will you please be so kind as to advise us of which Ecoflow and solar panel that you are using?For me, I initially didn't go for an Ecoflow. Was OK mostly but just fridge, lights, phones and internet at one festival (so not actually in the van that much), I was eating through battery faster than the panel could charge each day. I released for longer periods off grid, potentially with the fixed roof panel not getting the sun, I needed more panel(s) and / or more battery. I also needed the ability to charge run two laptops (I work from the van occasionally) which the existing van USB's just couldn't cope with at a decent rate, if it all.
So, given I needed more panel(s) and a better way of charging higher demand USB C devices, the combination of an Ecoflow and portable panel ticked all the boxes. I have no need or desire to run kettles, toasters, air fryers, hair dryers or straighteners, but obviously horses for courses.
Space wise, the panel folds up (in it's bag) and fits inside the folded up downstairs mattress neatly, the Ecoflow unit itself somewhere in the boot area when in use, it's not particularly big or heavy. I don't leave either in the van all the time and occasionally use them elsewhere like the garden at home.
Agree with this comment - I have Rogers, and they are fine, but a little Heath Robinson with their alu frame and burrs. You can, gleaned from another post, buy all the kit to make these yourself as these made up versions quite expensive. If I get round to replacing with something a bit tighter looking, would be one of these.Anyone any view/experience on Califaktur panels? They're rated at 310w for 2 panels, albeit more expensive (and not sold in the UK from what I can tell). They look a little more elegant design.
![]()
Califaktur.de - Solar system for your VW California
The solar system for your VW California. Volkswagen T5 T6 T6.1. High-quality solar brand module Made in Germany, clean, stylish and with minimal installation height. Installation on VW California original C-rail. Without drilling and gluing. Semi-flexible monocrystalline solar panel 130 & 260Wp...www.califaktur.de
Hi Jim,Hmmm... not always unless you really have deep cover. I've noticed my panels on my home still generate reasonably well on cloudy overcast days and right up till sunset when sun it behind trees going down. It does depend on how good the panel and controller are so I can't give any opinion on the ones on a Cali, only my home. Yes I understand fridge works harder when sun out in full in summer but you're also generating more power. For my use I won't be stopping under trees anyway as bad idea in UK with weak branches and in any case hwn we travel it's never that hot.
Yeh - I'm surprised how much my home panels generate on cloudy days compared to sunny daysHi Jim,
I do agree with the above, even if shaded my 2 x 100w panels do produce 20-30w maybe more, depending on depth of shade. It could be something to do with efficiency or panel construction, I don’t know. If stuck in shade is usually only for a short period for me.
I think I have chosen good panels, Renogy 100s and a Victron mppt. So system is running pretty efficient.
Hi Jim,
I do agree with the above, even if shaded my 2 x 100w panels do produce 20-30w maybe more, depending on depth of shade. It could be something to do with efficiency or panel construction, I don’t know. If stuck in shade is usually only for a short period for me.
I think I have chosen good panels, Renogy 100s and a Victron mppt. So system is running pretty efficient.
River 2 Pro (think I said Delta 2 by mistake before) and the 220w bifacial portable panel.Thank you for your insight. Will you please be so kind as to advise us of which Ecoflow and solar panel that you are using?
Hi Jim,Hi All.
Wife and I were having a discussion yesterday about solar power and of all things 'wonder how long before someone invents solar power lawn mower'.........(you can see we have interesting chats lol!!! Is there one yet.....................................this lead onto a general chit chat about solar. We're used to it, as have both Solar PV and Thermal panels which are great - I have a thermal store full of hot water at moment thanks to solar and last year got back some £800 from generation of PV so discussion turned to is it a good idea on a Cali and what will it cost.
We have a 22 Reg Ocean 204 which appears to have literally all VW options bar heated screen and 4motion on it!!. When not in use it sits on our drive in front of garage and I simply plug plug into garage to keep batteries charged.
Our hols consist of mainly Scotland, normally early May or late Sept typically on small CL with EHU but ocassionally we've used large sites such as Big Sand at Gairloch or the large Dornoch site where we find quiet spots but without hook up. I'm due to retire anytime soon (but there's always one last job lol) so these adventure will increase and may well go further afield - I know Ireland is planned for next year so would having solar panel/s fitted be a good idea and worth the cost, bearing in mind we'll probs keep Cali for at least 6 years (we had our last T5 conversion for 9).
Have many of you gone down this route and if so what are the optimum number of panels needed and who is the best company to use to get professional fitting - I'm near Norwich? Any ideas on cost.............
All advice gratefully received![]()
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