When the Charge Controller detects that the battery needs charging, it shunts solar generated amps to the two LIFELINE AGM (Glass Matt) Batteries, also installed with the Solar Package Option by the Airstream Factory. (These batteries never need water to be added… again, one less worry)!
The Panel Display shows the status of the battery in % Remaining, and in Volts. It also can display the Solar Charge Amps currently being produced as well as a running total in amp/hrs. At the bottom of the panel display is printed SUNEXPLORER TM. I would like more information about this component.
I utilize this Panel Display frequently while camping at non-hook-up sites and keep a daily log of the status of the battery and Solar amps produced. This has helped us get to know and understand our trailer’s electrical life and rhythms.
We have learned that we can comfortably run the two Fantastic Fans, stove light and exhaust fan while cooking breakfast, and listen to the stereo without causing a significant battery power drain. If the battery voltage does drop a bit during the peak usage (during morning meal preparation and dish washing), it rebounds to 100% by mid-morning in sunny Calif.
From postings on this Forum, we learned not to use the microwave oven unless we have a 20 amp electrical hook-up or the AC, which requires a 30 amp electrical hook-up.
It’s a good idea when ordering the Solar Charging System Package Option to also order the Full Awning Package. The awnings help to keep the trailer cooler.
BTW, the inverter was also a good option that allows us to re-charge our 2-way radios, and watch the LCD if we wanted.
I do apologize for making my earlier post (post #5) right in the middle of your most excellent introductory info...I didn't know you were continuing with more posts... Perhaps a moderator can move my post #5 to a postion after your final intro post (#11) so your intro is uninterupted?
The AS manual that came with our unit (2006 19' Bambi) also references Intermountain Solar Technology Solar Panel/Charge Controller/Display System on the same page, but the info I have for the actual solar panel indicates the panel manufacturer as BP Solar... A PDF of "General Information" is attached below...it offers some info about handling/use/maintenance, etc. The full insert has electrical connection schematics, etc.
We also have an operating and installation instruction booklet for the Sunexplorer Charge Controller/Display Kit. Also below is a PDF of the pages showing user instructions and trouble shooting, which helps one understand the operation of the display panel, and gives some trouble shooting hints. The full booklet has electrial schematics, etc. The manufacturer is Atkinson Electronics, Atkinson Electronics, Inc....
I am remodeling a '72 Overlander. Are the solar panels something you can install yourself or does it need to be done at a dealer?
Hi DogLick... I personally would not want to tackle the installation of the solar panels because I simply don't feel qualified. However, if you are handy enough in such matters and understand the schematics, I don't see why you couldn't, especially if you were doing it as part of a remodel.
Our Bambi only has one panel up top, as there isn't a whole lot of real estate up there...it's mounted in front of the AC unit. I would guess that the larger the coach the more panels you'd want because the power demand would be larger, but again, I am not the one to answer that aspect either.
So what good am I? I'm enthusiastic..does that count??
...Our Bambi only has one panel up top, as there isn't a whole lot of real estate up there...it's mounted in front of the AC unit. TB
One area many people seem to forget is the top of the A/C. I've seen one picture of a panel mounted on the A/C shroud and it looked like either a 30 or 40 watt panel.
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
I have the factory installed solar package. It's the 53 watt panel w/two AGM batteries. So far, it's worked flawlessly at keeping the batteries topped off when the conditions are right. We boondocked for three beautiful days last fall, and used the lights and electronics sparingly. We watched a little television/DVD each night using a 400 watt voltage inverter, used the laptop for 2-3 hours daily on a 12 volt charger plugged into the lighter type outlet, and occasionally ran the Fantastic fan. The heater kicked on for a while one night as well. If I recall, the lowest the batteries dropped was down to 75%. During the day, we turned everything off, including the subwoofer, which is wired direct and is constantly on unless unplugged, and the panel got the batteries back up to 100% by noon.
Hi DogLick... I personally would not want to tackle the installation of the solar panels because I simply don't feel qualified. However, if you are handy enough in such matters and understand the schematics, I don't see why you couldn't, especially if you were doing it as part of a remodel.
Our Bambi only has one panel up top, as there isn't a whole lot of real estate up there...it's mounted in front of the AC unit. I would guess that the larger the coach the more panels you'd want because the power demand would be larger, but again, I am not the one to answer that aspect either.
So what good am I? I'm enthusiastic..does that count??
Happy Solar Trails,
TB
My wife and I installed solar power on our 25' CCD which we bought used. We didn't use the factory equipment because I wanted more capacity ro be better able to charge the batteries in marginal conditions, for winter boon docking when the furnace runs a lot at night, to charge my extra batteries and to power my amateur radio equipment. I believe the small Airstream systems are 50 watts and the larger systems 100 watts. We installed two 130 watt Kyocera solar panels and a maximum power point tracking charge controller, fairly new technology available from several manufactures, on our 25' CCD.
We used all the factory pre-wiring and yes, it was difficult to find the ends of the yellow and green wires in the bottom of the refrigerator cabinet and difficult to work under the front sofa to get to the main CD buss to connect the wires to the 12 volt system.
Silvergate originally wanted comments on the factory installed system and equipment so I haven't posted much on our system. I'll gladly upload a short article and photos previously published in the Sierra Nevada Unit newsletter on our installation to this thread if he would like or I could post it to new thread if there is any interest. Please let me know.
For those with solar, either factory or aftermarket, you can purchase a 12 volt lunch box cooker at a good truck stop that will heat chilli, hot dogs, stew or any thing you can cook in a pot. It comes with a 12 volt cigarette lighter plug and pulls 10 amps. Works great forthe day time lunch when there is plenty of sunshine. Chilli for two and two hot dogs took 30 to 40 minutes. I can attest to the ten amp load; the amp meter on the charge controller confirmed it whileour meal was heating.
__________________
Don (KD6UVT) & Gail Williams
What do you want to be in life, a spectator or a participant?
I am remodeling a '72 Overlander. Are the solar panels something you can install yourself or does it need to be done at a dealer?
If you can remodel a '72 Overlander then you can install solar panels. It really isn't that hard as long as you have someone to hold the panels in place while you mark where you want them and then anchor them to the roof. Do a search on "AM Solar SunRunner 100/22 Install" and you will see that it is not that hard to do. There are steps you need to take in specific order especially when wiring up your solar controller to battery and panels. I have been happy with my 3 panel system and it has worked without fail.
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
No pictures yet. I can say the standard system (looks a lot like Silver gates)is to small for the 31 and it batteries. I have been looking at adding two more panels. The charge controller can handle it.
I hope this is the proper way to add to the discussion.
My 2006 Safari LS 23 foot had a factory installed solar panel. It was never wired to the batteries or connected from the factory. The Safari is prewired up to the lower refrigerator exterior access door, so the RV tech drilled a hole in the roof, ran a wire behind the microwave, along the back of the refrigerator and made the connection with a fuse. When you are a first time trailer owner, the learning curve had been steep trying to figure out why something does not operate. The solar panel operated fine since that experience.
One thing I have noticed is our batteries may not be holding the charge as well as they should. They are the sealed, add no water, batteries (sorry, not able to get name where I am at) and the 100% charge seems to drop to 65% in the evening, with only moderate use. I suspect that the irregular gravel roads on our western travels might have caused lead debris to fall between the plates and some are shorted. (?) Just curious. We will run the radio, a reading light and early evening the Magic Fan vent.
Also... My white vent cover for the rear broke on this trip while parked. The solar panel was installed so close to the vent bracket that I had to use all of my mechanical ability to reinstall the new lid, before I broke it trying to install it. There is plenty of space towards the air conditioner so it is advised that the panel be moved closer to the air conditioner. Reason: You cannot get the replacement lid attached, easily, unless you can attach it at a 90 degree angle, rather than the 30 degree I had to cautiously work with...
Quick Links
Hybrid Mode
