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Mexray · 02-12-2012, 11:58 PM

Bart...Solar toaster? lol...I've tried a few of those stove-top, burner fired 'toasters', and they are all crap, IMHO...

We're pretty much back to making our toast in the old, scratched up, thin-walled frying pan - bit of butter and it's toast in a couple of mins...

Speaking of 'solar' devices...years ago We had one of those redwood 'cask' type hot tubs in our backyard...I built a rabbit hutch nearby that had an angled roof that I fit two 4x6 ft water heater collectors...

I plumbed the collectors with a thermostat and small circulating pump to move the hot water into the hot tub during the day - we had great 102+ degree hot tub water every night for a few cents to run the pump!

Those collectors (made in Israel) were made of copper, with a steel frame and special glass on top to 'trap' the heat...still have the collectors, but these days our dog uses one to lay on during the cool winter days for her 'sun bath'...

lewster · 02-13-2012, 02:39 AM

I feel your pain!

If at all possible, regardless of the short distance, I would upgrade to 4/0 battery cable and a 400 amp class 'T' fuse......... just to be on the safe side!

lewster · 02-13-2012, 02:47 AM

Hugh,

Great post!

Now you see why AM Solar is the ONLY solar outfit that I would be associated with. Have fun with your new rig!

SuperTrouper · 02-13-2012, 07:03 AM

Looks like Z8 started a new thread for each phase of the project. Search for 27FB Solar.
Brad

**Kevin245** · 02-13-2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperTrouper

Looks like Z8 started a new thread for each phase of the project. Search for 27FB Solar.
Brad

Great information presented here Hugh. We merged the threads together here so all the information is in a single location.

Kevin

SuperTrouper · 02-13-2012, 09:28 AM

Z8,

Thank you for the excellent documentation, commentary and pictures. Your workmanship and attention to detail are commendable! We won't be going whole hog like you did (our 120V needs are limited when camping) but it's good to know what's possible and you've given me ideas for our 27FB solar future. Wish I had a nice room to work in and scaffolding like you did!

Best,

Brad

z8 hm · 02-13-2012, 10:14 AM

Brad,

Independent of what kind of system you install (+/- number panels, inverter, battery number and size, etc, I think there are a couple of key ideas)

Unless the power of the panels is 100 watts or less, I wouldn't use the factory pre wire for the output of the panels (you could certainly mount the charge control monitor using AS's location and wiring in the kitchen below the tank monitor)

In a simpler system, say just a solar charge controller and using stock batteries, I'd still put the charge controller under the bed (pre wire is there too).

If you go the new solar wire route, I think the routing I used (down the cabinet, under the sink, under the trailer), is best. I would not do the whole conduit thing, and just tie wrap the cable to the gas line.

Say you did 2 panels and stayed with the factory battery location only and no inverter, you could do the whole thing easily in two weekends.

Hugh

herrick51 · 02-13-2012, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Hugh,

Great post!

Now you see why AM Solar is the ONLY solar outfit that I would be associated with. Have fun with your new rig!

Hi Lew,
Tried to send a private message but I must be on the terrorist list.Anyway,I live in Gresham and would love to discuss the addition of solar panels and costs. My email okpete42@aol.com. If interested please send contact number and we can dicuss the possibilities.
Pete

ostream · 03-06-2012, 07:55 AM

Wow...brilliant design, great components and execution! Good for you and thanks for sharing!

We did a less ambitious version using similar components (3 x 100 AM Solar, MS2812, 4 GPL-4CT, Helio 22B), and absolutely love the addititional camping choices we now have! Although, we've learned that camping here in the Pacific Northwest is often under dense tree canopies, so perhaps we'll install another panel like your setup to maximize energy recovery.

Wonder if we can get Lew to Seattle again?

bycrom · 08-20-2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z8 hm

Perspectives…..

In no particular order, here are some thoughts on this whole project.

...

What a post! Great effort on project and awesome documentation, btw don't think I did not notice the Ferrari in the the last picture of the 4th post of this series, very nice. :-)

One of the best things I had done ( recently) to our house is a solar install, last years electric bill was around $100!

bycrom · 08-20-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bycrom

What a post! Great effort on project and awesome documentation, btw don't think I did not notice the Ferrari in the the last picture of the 4th post of this series, very nice. :-)

One of the best things I had done ( recently) to our house is a solar install, last years electric bill was around $100!

Sorry Ferrari in last picture of [b]3rd post[b]

z8 hm · 08-21-2012, 01:36 PM

Great catch on the car! Besides airstreaming, my other passion is driving fast. Here's a better shot of the car, it's a 2009 16M, fun car!

Click image for larger version

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bycrom · 08-21-2012, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z8 hm

Great catch on the car! Besides airstreaming, my other passion is driving fast. Here's a better shot of the car, it's a 2009 16M, fun car!Attachment 166353

Wow, simply awesome, you ought to post a shot with your AS (photoshop) hooked up with that car in tow mode. :-) I bet that would turn some heads.

Thanks for showing, must be a crazy driving that wonderful machine.

slowmover · 01-26-2013, 09:14 PM

Great thread!

Thank you for the trouble in laying it all out for the rest of us. A 1990 Silver Streak I've just bought has a factory-installed system. While I don't know what I'll do with it past upgrading components (it works), I'm pleased to read of a system at the outside of what I might someday do. Until this past month I've spent years ignoring solar power threads . . so thanks, again, for adding to what AIR offers the diligent reader.

Bookmarked.

.

Sky123 · 03-06-2013, 08:13 PM

Very nice! I can see your positive and negative running down by your vent to tie into you factory 12v bus bars where your old battery cables used to tie into, did you keep the factory battery disconnect solenoid as a factor in your equation or did you bypass that altogether? Also, with your larger battery bank have you ever tripped your 25amp charge line from your truck, say its a cloudy week and your battery level is very low, and you hitch up and go home. With the truck charge line pushing power to the batteries just wondered if the new large load would cause an excess current to be pulled from your charge line through your 7way port on your truck.

steverino · 03-06-2013, 08:23 PM

I can't speak for Hugh, but I tied my solar controller onto the coach side of the battery disconnect. As I also store indoors, I didn't want the solar controller's 0.25 amp quiescent load on the batteries while in storage. Configured this way, the solar controller are isolated from the batteries while in storage.

For those who store outdoors, doesn't really matter. Either tie the solar controller directly to the batteries, so the charger floats the batteries, or tie to the coach-side and just leave the batteries connected.

Steve

Mikec1231 · 03-12-2013, 09:33 AM

So having just purchased the same Int'l 25FB with the 600W inverter and pre-wire but no solar package...
Being completely new to the Solar world and especially in "sunny" Oregon, I am not an EE and have no idea how to "size" solar panels. There are certainly a lot of additional piees to make this mega system work.
What would be about the maximum solar panels I could install without "burning down the house", as those Talking Heads coined?

ostream · 03-13-2013, 08:42 AM

Not certain how extensible the "pre-wire" kit is, but on a 25' coach, 300w-400w is straight forward and 500w is achievable. The really good news for you is AM Solar is located outside of Eugene, OR! They are considered by many the best source for RV solar systems.

Mikec1231 · 03-13-2013, 11:23 AM

I just went to there web site and was pleasantly surprised that they are in Springfield. It is about 10 minutes away! I will make a trip over and discuss with them and see if I can learn something.

Cris911 · 05-30-2013, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikec1231

I just went to there web site and was pleasantly surprised that they are in Springfield. It is about 10 minutes away! I will make a trip over and discuss with them and see if I can learn something.

I've checked this thread several times to see if you had a chance to visit AM Solar and your thoughts or plans for your 27FB. I have the same model, and I'm trying to sort out an installation for myself.

Cris