Visit our Popular Forums

MTStream · 02-18-2013, 12:23 PM

High all,

We have a '07 25' Safari SE FB and love it. It gets used heavily. We have the factory installed solar system just like Silver Gate and it's worked great. One our trip to Bodega Bay, CA (great place) a couple weeks ago the battery started losing charge after the sun went down. In the morning it would shoot up to 80%, then lose it all by the next morning. I'm thinking the batteries may be worn out, I've heard they have about a five year life, or maybe a short somewhere. Any suggestions? I'm not fond of the local AS dealer, so would like to check it myself. Thanks, MTStream

Skater · 02-19-2013, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTStream

High all,

We have a '07 25' Safari SE FB and love it. It gets used heavily. We have the factory installed solar system just like Silver Gate and it's worked great. One our trip to Bodega Bay, CA (great place) a couple weeks ago the battery started losing charge after the sun went down. In the morning it would shoot up to 80%, then lose it all by the next morning. I'm thinking the batteries may be worn out, I've heard they have about a five year life, or maybe a short somewhere. Any suggestions? I'm not fond of the local AS dealer, so would like to check it myself. Thanks, MTStream

If they're five years old, they're probably toast. A good converter or being careful not to overcharge them can extend the life, but let's face it: it's not going to work miracles, and you can usually count on replacing car batteries every 5 years or so, too.

MaxAB · 02-19-2013, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTStream

High all,

We have a '07 25' Safari SE FB and love it. It gets used heavily. We have the factory installed solar system just like Silver Gate and it's worked great. One our trip to Bodega Bay, CA (great place) a couple weeks ago the battery started losing charge after the sun went down. In the morning it would shoot up to 80%, then lose it all by the next morning. I'm thinking the batteries may be worn out, I've heard they have about a five year life, or maybe a short somewhere. Any suggestions? I'm not fond of the local AS dealer, so would like to check it myself. Thanks, MTStream

Concur with previous comment. Its important that batteries are replaced with same "vintage" batteries (same month/year stamp). Other considerations are that your solar output is matched with both your amp-hour energy needs and the battery bank amp-hour storage capacity.

Also, many solar charge controllers these days can be programed for the various types of batteries (flooded, AGM, etc.) - so be sure that the charge controller is programmed correctly should you choose to replace your array with a different type of battery. Just some thoughts...

SilverGate · 02-19-2013, 08:51 AM

Hi MTStream... Last year I replaced our factory installed Lifeline batteries when I noticed they were not holding onto their charge as long as they used to.

Shop around for a good price and install them yourself. See details in my AirForums post, "How I Changed my Lifeline AGM batteries".

-- Bill

mefly2 · 02-19-2013, 09:41 AM

Yes, still 53 watts per panel on our factory install and 600 watts on the factory inverter ...

daveswenson · 02-19-2013, 10:37 AM

When I install solar I would like to upgrade the prewired 10 ga to 6 or even 4 ga. Is it possible to pull the new wire using the preinstalled 10 ga wire?

tkowalyk · 02-19-2013, 01:28 PM

Not new to Airstreaming, but picking up my new 27 FB Classic limited this weekend.

The coach has the factory installed solar package, what should I look for during the orientation by the dealer relative to the solar system and monitor panel?

Thanks,

MTStream · 02-20-2013, 01:34 PM

Thanks to those who replied. I'm now off looking for the best battery deal. MTStream

Hibby · 02-20-2013, 06:38 PM

tkowalyk,

I have the factory solar (two 55w panels) and inverter in my 2012 FB. LOVE it and highly recommend it... My understanding though is that solar only charges batteries to about 80-85% true capacity and that you may want to have a battery tender ($40) for extended storage. I have one and use it over the winter to keep the batteries at full capacity.

tkowalyk · 02-20-2013, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hibby

tkowalyk,

I have the factory solar (two 55w panels) and inverter in my 2012 FB. LOVE it and highly recommend it... My understanding though is that solar only charges batteries to about 80-85% true capacity and that you may want to have a battery tender ($40) for extended storage. I have one and use it over the winter to keep the batteries at full capacity.

Thanks Hibby. I have a battery tender already. A definite must. Do you have AGM batteries?

MTStream · 02-21-2013, 11:31 AM

Checking on Lifeline AGM batteries, I've gotten to wonder if I could replace my 24T's with a 31T. The battery box seems to have the room, the problem might be the plastic tray, but I think I could rig up a replacement. I'm pretty ignorant on the subject, would the solar charger have any problem charging the larger batteries? SilverGate, thanks for the post on changing batteries, it's really well done and extremely helpful. Bill

mrchinup · 02-21-2013, 11:35 AM

Not sure who told you solar only charges batteries to 85%, that is not correct. I have one 120 watt panel and it still charges my 5 year old AGM's to a full charge. 12.85 to 12.9 volts or so. When charging it goes much higher, which it should. Maybe something is wrong with your charging system. AGM's are the way to go. I see some of the prices some are paying for panels, someone is making a killing, or worse. 600 dollars for a 120 panel? I paid 150 or so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hibby

tkowalyk,

I have the factory solar (two 55w panels) and inverter in my 2012 FB. LOVE it and highly recommend it... My understanding though is that solar only charges batteries to about 80-85% true capacity and that you may want to have a battery tender ($40) for extended storage. I have one and use it over the winter to keep the batteries at full capacity.

Hibby · 02-21-2013, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkowalyk

Thanks Hibby. I have a battery tender already. A definite must. Do you have AGM batteries?

I do have AGM batteries, which were standard with the factory system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrchinup

Not sure who told you solar only charges batteries to 85%, that is not correct. I have one 120 watt panel and it still charges my 5 year old AGM's to a full charge. 12.85 to 12.9 volts or so. When charging it goes much higher, which it should. Maybe something is wrong with your charging system. AGM's are the way to go. I see some of the prices some are paying for panels, someone is making a killing, or worse. 600 dollars for a 120 panel? I paid 150 or so.

I don't remember where on the forums I read the charging limit of 85%... I also read that 95% of all statistics are made up, and I believed that too.

Although my Airstream solar charge indicator does show 100% after sitting in the sun for a day, it discharges to below 100% almost immediately when I begin using power. However, after using the battery tender, there is a noticeably longer time before the battery seems to begin discharging below 100% (2-4 hours depending on consumption).

SilverGate · 02-21-2013, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTStream

Checking on Lifeline AGM batteries, I've gotten to wonder if I could replace my 24T's with a 31T. The battery box seems to have the room, the problem might be the plastic tray, but I think I could rig up a replacement. I'm pretty ignorant on the subject, would the solar charger have any problem charging the larger batteries? SilverGate, thanks for the post on changing batteries, it's really well done and extremely helpful. Bill

Thanks, MTStream for your comment. Carefully check and compare the dimensions of your battery box with the dimensions of Lifeline's AGM batteries listed here.

As you can see, it's a tight fit with all of the wires just using the 24T's. I personally would not want to try squeezing in the larger 31Ts.

Good luck with this.

-- Bill

MaxAB · 02-23-2013, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkowalyk

Not new to Airstreaming, but picking up my new 27 FB Classic limited this weekend.

The coach has the factory installed solar package, what should I look for during the orientation by the dealer relative to the solar system and monitor panel?

Thanks,

Aside from the obvious, it would be good to know from the seller basic solar details such as:
1. Stock wire size and length from PV modules to controller and controller to battery array;
2. Amp-hour consumption rates in "standby" or stored mode;
3. Proper battery storage size and PV module output and inverter size in "balance"? (look for at least 3.5A of charge current per 100AH of battery storage);
4. PV module output (nominal voltage and amperage);
5. Understand your "solar system needs" - ie: will you enjoy continuous dry camping? Or, just "long weekend" dry camping? In any case, you may want to understand how long your solar system will take to "refill" what you use each day - this depends on your projected electrical usage...

Just some thoughts. Good luck, amigo!

Art

tkowalyk · 02-24-2013, 06:54 PM

Thanks Art

Pedecanada · 05-02-2013, 03:27 PM

I just bought a 2009 panamerica with a factory solar system but not sure if it is works right. This last weekend we went camping and it was sunny all weekend and 80 during the day. The display say charg when I press the button 3 time which is charge amps but if I press it 4 time it say 0 amp/hours I thinks which is funny after 4 days of being in the sun. It also seem like battery did not top off during the day but since I had light plant it was no big deal but would be nice to know if it working right. Thanks for any help.

dkottum · 05-02-2013, 03:57 PM

My battery usually tops off mid-morning on a sunny day, depending how far it discharged the night before and how much power I am using at the time. Are the batteries original and still in good condition?

I have been told the original Airstream converter can overcharge and ruin the batteries if left on shore power for days at a time. The way to avoid this is to put the "Battery Disconnect" switch (usually located near the door) in the "Store" position when on shore power, and the solar system will charge the battery. Be sure to return it to the "Use" position when disconnecting shore power and hooking up to tow, or the refrigerator will not automatically run on propane.

doug k

Pedecanada · 05-03-2013, 07:56 AM

So when solar system is charging what should display say. My battery are ok in that they can run heater all night but are low buy morning. It was cold that night around 20-30 and furnace ran a lot.

SilverGate · 05-03-2013, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedecanada

So when solar system is charging what should display say. My battery are ok in that they can run heater all night but are low buy morning. It was cold that night around 20-30 and furnace ran a lot.

Assuming you have the factory installed SUNEXPLORER display panel, each time you push its button it displays the following information consecutively: Battery % Remaining, Battery Voltage, Solar Charge Amps, and Solar Amp Hours. If you are camping without hook-ups, and the sun is shining on your solar panels, you should see the how many amps are being produced (Solar Charge Amps) and the running total of the accumulation of amps (Solar Amp Hours). When doing non-hook-up camping, I keep a log of this which you can see by clicking the Attached Thumbnail a couple of times in post #9 of this thread.

Additional note, using the furnace can rapidly deplete your batteries, and it may take longer for your batteries to recover, and you may be using too many appliances during the day.