Maggie's First Trip, mobile amateur radio, with build report

[rmcd]

Tritto on the hinges.
Got any pictures of the hinges setup when it is tilted? Does it tilt in two directions?
Thanks.
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VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight=

[kourt]

This was Memorial Day 2015, Mustang Island State Park, on the Texas Gulf Coast.

The panel is tilted up, with a small support rod behind it. The rod happens to be the same aluminum rod that comes with the GoWesty poptop rainfly--it's perfect for supporting the panel.

You can tilt it either direction, or take it completely off.

Regarding the running of the wires: coming from the panel on the roof, there are two 12GA wires ending in MC4 connectors. I ran a 20' set of 12GA wire with MC4 connectors on one end through the roof (two small, grommeted holes drilled underneath the panel), hugging the underside of the roof on the poptop ceiling, making a 90 degree turn and going directly to the edge of the poptop where the tent attaches, then turning again, and fastened by 3/8" plastic wire clamps along that edge, running back to the driver side rear corner of the poptop near the hinge, then again fastened with plastic wire clamps, then turning 90 degrees and down through two small, rubber grommeted holes drilled in the sheet metal next to the hinge, entering the main cabin above the rear D pillar, and then running the usual chaseways to the solar charge controller/inverter/charger under the refrigerator. I hope that helps explain it.

I've checked these wire runs for enough play to open the poptop, and have checked them for vibration damage after nearly two years of driving. Everything looks great. I have also checked for leaks at the holes following rain, or driving in rain... no leaks.

Also, at no time has any upstairs occupant accidentally caught a foot on the wires--they are neatly snugged up to the ceiling where they enter, and immediately travel to the edge, where they are out of the way.

kourt

[boroko]

I have been watching with interest. I'm not an active DX'r, but I enjoy having the radio when I need it. Like the panel, the hinges, and the inverter. All nice. What I just noticed was the way you used your jack point to mount your table. Pretty clever.

Bo
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'87 SyncroWesty: Smokey the Turtle, '85 SubiWesty: Chappie, '84 GTI, '86 GTI in full Rally trim,
previous: 2 Syncro tin tops, 2 Vanagons, 3 busses, 3 Ghias, 2 Jettas, a 411, a gas and a diesel Bunny and about 25 Beetles, one that only drove left.

[kourt]

The jack point table mount is a VW trick that is documented here and a few other places... and GoWesty sells a kit for it if you can't find a welder to fab one up. It's handy! Thanks for noticing.

kourt

[JohnL99]

Anyone found these spring release hinges recently? Amazon has been out of stock for a long while now.