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roadkill367 · 12-26-2017, 05:34 PM

I thought I would share my solar install project.
My Airstream is a 2018 Bambi Sport 22Ft. The dealer wanted $1500 to install solar on my Airstream. Thought I could do it for less.
My components are.
1. Two Grape solar 100 Watt RV panels paid $200 for both.
2. Victron MPPT 100/30 smart controller paid $226.
3. Solar panel feet. 1 set from Renogy (outer mounts) 1 set from Grapesolar paid $50
4. 15 feet of solar extension cable 8 gauge paid $35
5. Roll of 3m 4950 tape 1/2 inch wide paid $22
6. Aluminum wind shield paid $50
7. Zamp roof box adaptor paid $5
8. Dicor Sealant paid $11
With some misc costs I ended up paying about $600.

After doing some research, installing the components wasn't very complicated.
I've attached some pictures of my project and if anyone has any questions I'd be happy to answer them.

chugchug · 12-26-2017, 10:47 PM

Thank you for sharing. I am considering a similar project on my AS. I have a few questions, if you don't mind.
1) Did you use the factory pre-wire? Did you notice what gauge they are?
2) Where is your controller located?
3) Is there a reason you went with solid rather then flexible panels? I am thinking to install flexible.

rmkrum · 12-26-2017, 11:48 PM

I have a similar setup.

Pre-wire is only 10 gauge wire. Didn’t bother using it. It came up in a bad spot, and I plan to add several more panels which would overload the skinny factory wires. Went with new 6 gauge input and output wire to the controller.

My controller is mounted in a carefully routed-out (Rotozip tool) hole in the closed end of an overhead cabinet next to the wardrobe where the wires come in from the roof. The MPPT controller has a faceplate with digital voltage or current readout, switches, etc that need to be monitored.

Flexible panels have had issues in the past. Rigid panels seem to have better durability and do not go cloudy from the intense sun and UV exposure here in Southern California. They also mount above the roof. They stay cooler for more efficient output and help keep my AS interior cooler. Almost like an awning over my roof.

chugchug · 12-27-2017, 07:12 AM

Thanks rmkrum. 10 AWG is good news.

I had 2 x 100W panels installed on my previous rig with an MPPT controller. On a good summer day I would see 8A and 17V from the panel, which is close to 140W and about the maximum I would expect.

Putting on my engineering hat -

The resistance of 10 AWG wire is about 1 ohm per 1000 ft. If we assume 25ft of wire for the round trip between the controller and the 3 port box, that is 0.025 ohm. 8A running on 0.025 ohm drops 0.2V, or about 1% loss. 6 AWG wire would lose 0.5%. The difference is not enough to justify the effort of running a new set of wires.

There will be additional loses in the connector. I do not have data for that, but it should be small. I would treat the terminals with dielectric grease, because corrosion could be an issue.

m.hony · 12-27-2017, 09:12 AM

What is the black car to the right of the trailer?

rmkrum · 12-27-2017, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronkarpel

Thanks rmkrum. 10 AWG is good news.

-----------------------snip-------------------------------
Putting on my engineering hat -

The resistance of 10 AWG wire is about 1 ohm per 1000 ft. If we assume 25ft of wire for the round trip between the controller and the 3 port box, that is 0.025 ohm. 8A running on 0.025 ohm drops 0.2V, or about 1% loss. 6 AWG wire would lose 0.5%. The difference is not enough to justify the effort of running a new set of wires.

There will be additional loses in the connector. I do not have data for that, but it should be small. I would treat the terminals with dielectric grease, because corrosion could be an issue.

Our main reason for running a new cable was the location. I have a panel combiner box above the closet within a foot or two of the MPPT controller. I'm quite sure the drop over that distance is negligible. Probably lose more in the wires from the panel to the combiner box.

The factory pre-wire was in a bad location in the middle of the roof (by the forward fantastic fan), and did not terminate where I needed it to go. It landed under the front bed by the battery bus bars. Don't know what the factory was thinking on that one.

Since I had to cut a slot in the roof anyway, the longest run is from the MPPT controller output side to the battery ground buss and the battery side of the use/store relay. Was an easy run into the closet end of an overhead storage bin. Hardest part was cutting the hole in the roof in a shiny trailer...

SilverHouseDreams · 12-27-2017, 01:39 PM

Thanks for sharing. Why 2 100W panels rather than a single panel? Honestly curious as I am evaluating options for our 22FB. I could understand 2 smaller panels to flank the roof mount items (a/c, vent, etc) just wouldn’t expect it for mounting them together.

roadkill367 · 12-28-2017, 10:20 AM

Hello all and thanks for the interest in my solar set up.

1. I did use the 10 gauge pre wire in the airstream as I only had two panels and the run of the 10 gauge wire was very short on my airstream.
2. I used two panels because I had the room for them. I ran them in series for better charging under certain situations. I didn't use flex panels for the same reason others have state about reliability.
3. My controller is located under the bed right where to prewire ends are located. I don't have a display monitor for the charger but the charger I have has built in blue tooth so I can check it with my smart phone. I actually really like this capability.
4. To answer the most important question, the black car is a Lexus haha.

Hope this helps.

roadkill367 · 02-04-2018, 12:19 PM

Here is a link to a video of my solar panel install.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A3HHJ02iQs&t=34s

waninae39 · 03-06-2018, 09:31 PM

what the the dimension of your panel

i have a 22fb also so i want to see which panels can fit

roadkill367 · 03-07-2018, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waninae39

what the the dimension of your panel

i have a 22fb also so i want to see which panels can fit

Here is the link to HomeDepot and the solar panels I used. They are on sale for $98.00 each. I'll been very pleased with them so far.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-So...100W/204211365

waninae39 · 03-16-2018, 02:37 PM

will this solar module fit on top of the front of my as 22FB

http://www.solartrader.ca/heliene_16..._1337prod.html

and from the OEM

http://www.heliene.ca/products/detai...,10,20,581,729

166W
mono
59L x 27W

This grape 100w poly module is
40L x 26W

waninae39 · 03-16-2018, 02:58 PM

as well
i see there are THREE ports on top of the as 22fb

in the manual it seems that only one port has been wired
if this true

pteck · 03-16-2018, 10:44 PM

Any reason you added a fairing to the panels?

thiel · 03-16-2018, 11:31 PM

You know it's funny I thought the wind deflector was a little bit of overkill... but when I chatted with AM Solar they said they recommend doubling up on the mounting feet on the front edge of the front solar panels... to ensure they don't lift off from the wind.

roadkill367 · 03-19-2018, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waninae39

will this solar module fit on top of the front of my as 22FB

http://www.solartrader.ca/heliene_16..._1337prod.html

and from the OEM

http://www.heliene.ca/products/detai...,10,20,581,729

166W
mono
59L x 27W

This grape 100w poly module is
40L x 26W

Based on those dimensions I think they would be too big if you are install two panels side by side. Only suggestion I would have is to make a cardboard cut out of the size of the panel and use it for a test fit.

roadkill367 · 03-19-2018, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pteck

Any reason you added a fairing to the panels?

Just to keep wind from going under the panels and lifting them up. I just got back from a trip to the desert which included a 5 mile drive down a dirt road. I can say that my panels held up better than the rest of the trailer

roadkill367 · 03-19-2018, 10:14 AM

I do tend to go overboard on some things but for the cost it was worth the piece of mind. After my last trip to the desert driving at 65mph the panels held up great. So far so good.

waninae39 · 03-19-2018, 03:25 PM

i could not find any accurate measure of the roof

i ordered ONE panel as my unit is in winter storage
i plan to place it across the roof between the antenna and the roof skylight

i used you panel dimensions to ensure i had space to place in in across vs. up-down the trailer like you did

i still dont know what type of connector is on the rook.
people say SAE, but there is a std and heavy duty versions which i see are different sizes.

any suggestions or measurements

roadkill367 · 03-21-2018, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waninae39

i could not find any accurate measure of the roof

i ordered ONE panel as my unit is in winter storage
i plan to place it across the roof between the antenna and the roof skylight

i used you panel dimensions to ensure i had space to place in in across vs. up-down the trailer like you did

i still dont know what type of connector is on the rook.
people say SAE, but there is a std and heavy duty versions which i see are different sizes.

any suggestions or measurements

If you have a pre-installed Zamp box on the roof then you have a SAE connector. I used this adaptor with my panels to connect them to the zamp box. You have to cut the connector in half and cut the ends of your panel wire and crimp them together.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1