Camper interior build on a 64 Kombi

[peecee69]

[sgellis]

Added solar power

We are going to do more off grid camping this year so needed extra power when we stay somewhere for more than a day without plugin.

Picked up two 120 watt panels. Actually they are probably 90 watt but was a good price for 90 watts. Got flexible panels as they are thin and light. they store under the bed. I will shorten the leads and remove the eyelets so they wont be damaged when we sleep on them.

Using a small MPPT charge controller so the panels can run in series. MPPT is more efficient than PWM controllers as they allow the panels to run at their most efficient voltage. This charger only uses 4 ma when panels are disconnected also.

I had run wires to engine compartment for solar so just added a plug. Still need to make an extension cable so the panels can get out in the sun as we normally park in shady spots.

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My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings)

[mandraks]

how about adding a small solar generator like a Jackery or a Bluetti? charge it at the house, and use the panels just to supplement. will probably run your camper for a couple of days.
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regards

Uli

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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel

[sgellis]

[sgellis]

Home to for a few days.

Nova Scotia had a covid outbreak so on lockdown untill numbers fall to single digits. So not being able to travel we made a camp site on our land. Still a little wet but we got stuck in the correct spot and level. Haha. Last week the river was up to where the bus is but the water dropped quite a bit.

Solar panels working great. Need to make a lightweight adjustable stand to aim them at the sun.

_________________
My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings)

[sgellis]

Bus recovery

Needed to get it pointing out of the camp site before towing up the hill. These tiers are not made for mud. haha Maybe some gravel will make this process a little more convenient.

Got to use the correct jack today. Love how the jack points line up with the door hinges but once I got it angled correctly to clear the hinges it worked well.

_________________
My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings)

[mandraks]

used to take our 61 crewcab everywhere, on stock 15 inch bias plies. when it got slippery like that we put it in gear and got out to push. The bus does what it can, it will not stall, and it won't be so fast that you can't jump back in it. when you are sitting in it you can't push....

glad you got it out without hurting it.
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regards

Uli

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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel

[sgellis]

Few more details.

Towel bar we have been looking for. Nice quality and vintage look. Will be nice to not hang the dish towels on doors and mirrors.

Added a clothes line inside. We find when traveling we always have something wet to store. This is out of my view and close enough to the side that we won't hit our heads on the knobs. Used same knobs as curtains.

Found two good quality latches. Screw pattern is slightly different but still works. Very nice finish but needs a little grease as they stick sometimes. Now that I know they work I will try to find more to replace the cheap ones.

_________________
My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings)

[j.pickens]

That towel bar looks great, and for a careful person, I'm sure it's fine.
Me? I'm a big, clumsy f##k, I'd kill myself getting impaled while passing by.
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Founder and Chairman Emeritus, ECMSAS
BBX BBXII and BBXXI Long Distance Award Winner

[sgellis]

[sgellis]

Was asked where I found some items so adding them here

Cord 3/16". I see it is out of stock but a search for 3/16" shock cord should turn up some
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B078NCS3T7
rings are made from a chrome toilet riser tube from local hardware store cut to 1/4" lengths. Use a pipe cutter
https://www.amazon.ca/BrassCraft-1-12DE-NSP-Copper-Nosepiece/dp/B00NP3JZ0A

Towel rack
https://www.amazon.ca/Decko-38190-Swing-Kitchen-Chrome/dp/B0014XTJ2W

Knobs. cant remember where i found the adapter studs
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07B91Z9SP

Latch. they are back in stock so ordered enough to replace remainder of my cheap ones.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MDWBW0
_________________
My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings)

[sgellis]

Finally got the awning poles hooked to the bumpers.

Rear hole I copied westy position.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1738281

After a lot of thought I put the front hole on front of bumper. It works better than behind the over rider. Plenty of room for the door to open on first stop and not bounce into pole. lot easier to set up also.

I am going to make some cords to hook into bumper holes and awning that will prevent wind from picking it up.

Now I just need to tig the pole ends and paint around bumper holes

_________________
My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings)

[sgellis]

Wife made an insulating panel for the metal wall. The steel gets very cold on cold nights. Was down to freezing at night last outing.

Panel is double layers of quilting and magnets along top to hold in place. should make sleeping next to the left side a little more comfortable on cold nights.

_________________
My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings)

[sgellis]

Wife added magnets to the awning sides. Small rectangular rare earth magnets sewn into the hem. Will work well in light wind.

We decided to add a zipper to awning front. The magnets are not strong enough to hold the front sections together. Currently we use some binder clips to keep our "door" closed at night

_________________
My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings)

[sgellis]

Was going to mark the newly cut poles so we could tell them apart. Turns out the are exactly the same length. I thought about trying to make them the same but figured it wouldn't work out so didn't try. Haha

_________________
My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings)

[Stephbong]

Hello,

I'm in the process of rebuilding my camper interior and re-read your very impressive topic to get more motivation even if I know I won't get the same result

My question is how do you maintain/attach your cushions on the wood (bed)? I see no vertical nor horizontal attaches or grips or, or... and it looks like you can remove it when you want...

Thank you for your tip and enjoy your travels!

[braddick]

I've really enjoyed following your interior build
Looking fantastic and quality work
Cheers

[sgellis]

[Stephbong]

Great good to know, thank you it helps!

[Two Glove Boxes]

Very cool set up!
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1951 Split Standard Hoffman Build

1960 Dove Blue Double Cab Patina Build

Two Glove Boxes

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