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Old 06-09-2009, 09:36 AM   #81
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Hi Guys,

This is AirSolarGuy a.k.a Mark . I work for Carmanah Technologies Corp. and we are the solar supplier to Airstream. I wish they did install solar on every unit, but unfortunately they are not there yet. We also supply our solar charging kits to the majority of the RV parts distributors, who in turn supply them to the local RV Dealers. Most RV dealers will purchase products from any one of the RV parts distributors we sell to. So not all RV dealers stock solar or have a display, but they can order it in and install it for your, or you can install it yourself. When you look up Solar Installers on the internet the majority will be for Grid-Tie installers who don't have any experience installing solar on RV's. We have been providing training now for a few years to RV Dealerships and it's starting to grow more and more. If you have any questions about solar for your RV please let me know.

Regards,

AirSolarGuy
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Old 06-09-2009, 02:00 PM   #82
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Hello Solar Junkies: The 110-watt system sounds real inviting. I just picked up a solar kit from Amazon.com that's got 4 15-watt panels, a 7 amp charge controller, monitor, and mounting hardware. I'll probably get another couple panels to get my system up to 90-watts.

QUESTION: What's a clean way to run the panel cables into the coach? ... and, What's a good clean connection to the 12-volt system?
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Old 06-09-2009, 09:15 PM   #83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxAB View Post
Hello Solar Junkies: The 110-watt system sounds real inviting. I just picked up a solar kit from Amazon.com that's got 4 15-watt panels, a 7 amp charge controller, monitor, and mounting hardware. I'll probably get another couple panels to get my system up to 90-watts.

QUESTION: What's a clean way to run the panel cables into the coach? ... and, What's a good clean connection to the 12-volt system?
I would suggest running your 2 wires (yellow & black) from the PV down through and behind the refrig and then route to your power distribution center (under sofa ?) At the distribution center, mount your controller and from it tie into your power bus bar and secure a good ground. As far as the panel display, the only suggestion is the closer to the controller the easier the install. Wire routing is time consuming at best. Hope this is of some help. Would not be w/o solar. Good luck, Larry
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Old 06-10-2009, 09:16 AM   #84
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Electrical Connections from PV Panels to Power Distribution Center...

Larry,

Thanks for the suggestion, I had a similar idea. I've got the Inteli-Power converter/charger that replaces the Univolt. Need to figure out a good DC breaker or fuse buss arrangement... Any ideas?

Art
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Old 08-04-2009, 08:48 PM   #85
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Update On the Factory Controllers

Just an update. I experienced trouble with the original controller, it has been replaced under the warranty with a new unit from Carmanah Technologies Corp., the GP-PWM-25 Controller.



It has several updated features not found on the old controller.

Everything appears to be working smoothly and the new controller relays the information I need.

Corky
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Old 08-09-2009, 03:21 PM   #86
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U folks with the factory installed solar, can you still put your system into 'store' mode with the switch at the door?

Thanks
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Old 08-09-2009, 08:03 PM   #87
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Store?

My system is wired so I still use the "Store" mode. The solar system still operates normally just less drain on the batteries.

Corky
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Old 08-10-2009, 08:46 AM   #88
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U folks with the factory installed solar, can you still put your system into 'store' mode with the switch at the door?

Thanks
Yes. I used my Battery Disconnect Switch just last spring and confirmed with a voltmeter that the trailer was in a "Store" mode (which electronically isolates my batteries from the trailer's internal electrical circuits) just prior to replacing my Parallax converter with Xantrex. (And of course, I disconnected the shore power before replacing the converter).

BTW, using the Battery Disconnect Switch and placing the trailer in "Store" mode was instrumental last fall in protecting my AGM batteries when my Parallax converter failed the first time. In "Store" mode, the AGMs still got charged by my two solar panels, and yet the items in the trailer (such as the refrigerator fan which didn't have a switch yet) were not able to draw power from the batteries. This maneuver helped to protect the batteries until I got the converter replaced.

See: Battery at 45% even though connected to shore power.
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Old 08-14-2009, 07:22 PM   #89
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suffice it to say i still need help with the factory installed boondocking package for solar. i have not plugged into shore power in weeks. when i scroll through the monitor selections it always reads 0 for solar amps and amp hours. i can't figure out when the solar is working or not. the percentage on the battery has dropped down from 100 to as low as 75. it has not been back t 100 since not attached to shore or the tow vehicle. ithe manual is not helping me to know how and when it works. i am lost in this area. i need factory installed solar power for dummies. help?
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Old 08-14-2009, 09:58 PM   #90
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Expert?

While far from an expert I will make some observations.

It appears you hace a 2010. How about a trip to your dealer for some warranty assistance and or clarification as to how things work?

If you haven't been connected to shore power or a TV and the percentage of battery life has been higher than 75% at any point (since that's what you said the low reading was) one might have to conclude the solar is working at least part of the time. The batteries won't charge without some type input.

What type controller do you have? The reason I changed controllers was because of inaccurate or no display of data on the LCD. (GPR-25 Digital Controller was the one replaced)

Corky
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Old 08-15-2009, 12:48 PM   #91
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Look for your Solar Charge Controller near the Buss Bar area on inside front trailer area (it is under our lounge and is probably under your dinette seat).

My Charge Controller has light indicators that show when the battery is charging, full, partial, or low. (see photo of this here and click on it to make it larger)

Your solar system display monitor may not be operating correctly. I agree with Cstar that it might be a good idea to have your dealer check this out while still under warranty.

I also suggest that you get a voltmeter (see mine pictured here) so that you can accurately check your battery voltage and electrical circuits (it will also come in handy if and when you have converter problems).

Quote:
Originally Posted by dsrtgrls View Post
suffice it to say i still need help with the factory installed boondocking package for solar. i have not plugged into shore power in weeks. when i scroll through the monitor selections it always reads 0 for solar amps and amp hours. i can't figure out when the solar is working or not. the percentage on the battery has dropped down from 100 to as low as 75. it has not been back t 100 since not attached to shore or the tow vehicle. ithe manual is not helping me to know how and when it works. i am lost in this area. i need factory installed solar power for dummies. help?
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Old 08-15-2009, 01:19 PM   #92
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New solar system

Hi fellow streamers , having a new solar system installed this weekend from AM Solar, Inc check out there site Welcome to AM Solar - Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987 the system I chose is the SunRunner 100-22 System
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Old 08-15-2009, 01:26 PM   #93
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will add another AM100 Solar Panel 100 watt panel later .
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Old 08-15-2009, 01:46 PM   #94
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as of today the % of battery is at70, volts at 12.0, solar hours and solar amps still 0. i have not been running lights or any thing that i turn on to draw electric. it is sunny in az and i do not see any charge to increase the battery %. is there a tripping point that until the batteries get down to a certain point the solar will not start charging them? i so do not want to have to go to the dealer as they did not come off too competent the first go round but i will if i have to. thanks for the continued help.
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Old 08-15-2009, 01:48 PM   #95
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i am going to check the charge controller like SilverGate said as well.
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Old 08-15-2009, 02:08 PM   #96
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well i looked at the charge controller and the "partial" light was lit. i guess that means that the solar is not charging and that the display monitor is correct to display continued vbattery % dropping and battery voltage droppiing right? so if the solar equipment is not working is there anything i can do(not a genius) or is it a definite trip to the dealer.
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Old 08-15-2009, 02:20 PM   #97
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Factory installed solar system

dsrtgris

Our controller cuts in and starts charging when battery terminal volts drop
to 12.7

Here are a few reading taken last week in our crummy climate in the UK. Some sun but a lot of cloud :

Amp Hours Battery Capacity Generator
in Morning Usage

Thursday 30.3 75% 45 mins
Friday 40.8 80% -
Saturday 35.4 80% -
Sunday 23.2 75% 1.1/2 hours
Monday 15.3 75% 2 hours
Tuesday 20.9 75% 2 hours
Wednesday 22.7 75% 2 hours

From these figures, I guess in our climate another 50 watt panel would see
us through the summer months off grid.

Cstar - post 85

Does this unit replace controller under sofa and feed the galley display via
the factory patch lead?

John in the UK
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Old 08-15-2009, 02:25 PM   #98
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dsrtgris

My wife neatly tabulated the figures shown and they have come out a mess!!!

They read - Amp Hour / Battery Capacity in morning %age / Generator usage.

Hope you can make sense of them.

John in UK
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Old 08-15-2009, 02:26 PM   #99
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i have the sunexplorer chargecontroller display kit.
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Old 08-15-2009, 02:32 PM   #100
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john in uk
it has the controller under the bench seat for dinette. still have not seen anything but zeros in the solar amps and solar amp hours on the display. the battery % has been dro[ping and the volts have bee dropping now at 12 volts. the controller has the yellow led lit in the partial positon. i have never heard any clicks that anything has clicked on ever.
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