Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-23-2015, 06:26 AM   #1
1 Rivet Member
 
2014 23' International
Miller Place , New York
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 12
Solar

Hi was looking to add solar panels to my 2014 27fb serenity.Is there any way to tell if it is pre wired for solar .Also any suggestions about what system or panels work best.Thanks in advance for your help in this matter.Your fellow
airstreamer John Aspinall
mstrtek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2015, 06:31 AM   #2
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
John,

Solar pre-wire in your 27 is useful only for a 100 watt solar array at best. Anything larger will require adding larger cables to eliminate voltage losses and a quality charge controller.

You might start your investigation at AM Solar's education section: www.amsolar.com


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2015, 08:29 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
KJRitchie's Avatar
 
2008 25' Classic
Full Time , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
If you are just interested in keeping your batteries charged to run 12v when dry camping look into a portable solar panel setup. Zamp is one company that provides several sizes that connect directly onto the battery posts. If you have the basic Parallax converter I would look into a 3 stage converter charger. Many of use have replaced our Parallax with a Progressive Dynamics swap out kit from Bestconverter. I'm not sure if the 2014 models have a 3 stage converter.

If you are interested in running a lot of AC powered devices while dry camping then you will need to do what others have done and install a combination converter/charger/inverter, run the right size cables from the panels on the roof etc as shown in the AM Solar website. You may want to get new batteries with more capacity, e.g. grp 27 or two 6v.

Look through the Electrical forums for what others have done. See what best fits your needs.

Kelvin
KJRitchie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2015, 08:41 AM   #4
Rivet Master
 
AWCHIEF's Avatar
 
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi , Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
Images: 33
Lew, what do you think of this portable system? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...02L3XUQ70M87BV
__________________
MICHAEL

Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
AWCHIEF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2015, 08:46 AM   #5
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
Chief,

I don't have any hands-on experience with portables, but I have heard some good things about the Renogy unit.


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2015, 08:48 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
AWCHIEF's Avatar
 
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi , Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
Images: 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster View Post
Chief,

I don't have any hands-on experience with portables, but I have heard some good things about the Renogy unit.


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357
Thank you, the reviews are overall very good and hard to beat the price.
__________________
MICHAEL

Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
AWCHIEF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2015, 10:19 AM   #7
1 Rivet Member
 
2014 23' International
Miller Place , New York
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 12
Solar

Thanks for the info how can I tell what invertor my 27fb 2014 has.Thanks John
mstrtek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2015, 11:27 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
gandttimes's Avatar
 
2014 25' FB International
2007 20' Safari SE
2005 19' Safari
Qualicum Beach , British Columbia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
Quote:
Originally Posted by mstrtek View Post
Thanks for the info how can I tell what invertor my 27fb 2014 has.Thanks John
If it has the factory installed inverter, it will be 1000w.


George
gandttimes is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Solar battery charging Charles Q Treichel Generators & Solar Power 24 02-22-2023 09:36 AM
Airstream solar pre-wiring compatibility with AM solar robi Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 6 06-11-2014 09:31 PM
Solar Install AM Solar outdoors717 Generators & Solar Power 3 07-15-2012 07:11 PM
Solar Panels VONZIPPER Generators & Solar Power 7 03-18-2002 07:47 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:15 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.