Solar panels attached to the roof tilt to harness the sun and make space for roof-top sleeping. #Vanlife upgrade!
Sunroof gets a whole new meaning with Brett Belan’s custom VW Bus. The all-electric vehicle is a family camper that can charge itself even in wild places.
The 1972 VW bus runs on four 305-watt solar panels, all mounted to the roof. Pneumatic pumps lift the hefty rig up to 40 degrees to maximize energy collection. Once lifted, canvas siding attaches to the solar panels to reveal a cozy sleeping loft.
Of course the rig is entirely DIY. Belan’s take on the #vanlife extends past gutting and decking the interior to electrical conversion and setup. His website goes into far greater detail.
Solar-Powered VW Bus
Belan’s bus is a work in progress. He’s still working to improve the range with the addition of 216 lithium-ion phosphate batteries.
Currently, the bus has a range of 50 miles while traveling at a slow speed (30-40 mph). With upgrades, he estimates the bus’s range will extend to 200 miles.
A full charge takes 2 hours and 20 minutes when plugged in with two 20A chargers. An AC motor and 500 A, 14 V controller sit in place of a conventional motor. Charging times with solar vary depending on conditions.
Belan’s setup proves there is no limit to how far van life conversions can go.
