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10-02-2013, 08:26 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2014 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 6
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Solar Panels
I am in the process of buying a 2014 Eddie Bauer 25FB and asked the dealer about the possibility of adding solar panel(s) to my roof deck. He got back to me today and said that after installing my Winegard satellite dome, there was no room for a large solar panel. I was a little shocked to hear that, but he said that with the AC, fantastic fans and the satellite dome, I was out of real estate. I am a Newbie and don't have any working knowledge of Airstreams, but I wanted to get some opinions on this from Airstreamers who have installed solar panels. I was trying to get as close to 500W as possible, but all I need is enough to run lights and fans. I have a 1000W inverter installed from the factory. Your comments are appreciated.
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10-02-2013, 08:39 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
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I'd have to see it to believe that there is NO room for solar on a 25'. Here's a shot of my 28' Intl. Since this photo was taken I had the 2d A/C installed at JC. I have FOUR 100W panels. Check out AM Solar's website and get panel dimensions. They do come in different sizes....the bigger the panel the high the output. Also, if you are even moderately handy with a screwdriver, pliers, and basic tools you can do this install yourself with the super kits these folks put together that include EVERYTHING (and I mean including cable ties), to install solar. Beautifully packed, bagged and labelled. Good luck!
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
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10-02-2013, 08:42 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
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Solar
Sorry...forgot to post photo
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
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10-02-2013, 08:50 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,215
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It is very possible the TV antenna installation did wipe out the spot for the proposed solar panel. I have a single 150 watt solar panel on our 25FB. Limited roof space is why I went with the Dish Tailgator.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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11-01-2013, 09:52 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2015 28' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 623
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Luckyman,
Consider smaller panels. I have two 85w panels atop my FC23FB and room for a third. 170 watts is sufficient for our needs. I did remove my TV antenna as we never used it. Even with it I could have fit 2 panels. Multiple separated smaller panels yield the benefit of one panel providing output when another is shaded by a tree in a GC.
My Airstream dealer did my installation to my specified layout with the panels, controller and wiring that I purchased separately.
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Safe Travels,
Joe & Joan Donnaway
Durango, CO
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11-01-2013, 10:14 AM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
2014 27' FB International
Denver
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 42
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My experience with the dealers is that they are (close to) clueless about how solar can be accommodated. Call the folks at AM Solar in Oregon. Send them a pic of what's up there and they can recommend a package for you. The AM guys will ship a package to you and then the challenge is finding a good person to install them (but those folks are out there!).
It could be a stretch to get to 500W, but as JamuJoe points out smaller panels are an option. They are increasingly more available, at better price points, and greater efficiency. We ended up with 2-170's which do great. I've got space for one more without the roof looking like a space station.
Good luck!
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Joe
Colorado Mountains
International Sterling 27FB
2015 GMC Denali 2500 Duramax & Allison
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11-01-2013, 10:31 AM
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#7
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2020 Classic 33
Box Elder
, South Dakota
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,731
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Call Paul Mayeux over at AP Vintage Trailer Works. He is in Paradise, TX. Might be able to advise you. Home Page. He is one of the installers associated that uses the AMSolar parts.
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11-01-2013, 10:43 AM
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#8
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Home of Vortex tuning
2013 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Spearfish
, South Dakota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 614
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I paid JC the $500. to delete both my skylights on my '13 EB. Looking for room for my "solar system".
I'm assuming that your '14 hasn't been built yet?
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"Chip Tank" is in Westwood Ca.
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11-01-2013, 11:06 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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You would be very surprised at how many high efficiency 100 watt GS-100 panels from AM Solar you can fit on an Airstreams roof.
My current record is 8 on a 28 Classic, but you should get 4 on a 25 no problem. I even placed 3 on a 22 Sport (THAT was a challenge!).
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lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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11-01-2013, 12:53 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2008 20' Safari SE
Bangor
, Maine
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 255
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You may also want to consider a portable kit. One of the great advantages of the portable kits is that you can direct the panels towards the sun to increase their efficiency while you could keep the airstream in the shade. Because you can angle them and point them in any direction you can start generating electricity from these way before you can with panels that are fixed in a horizontal orientation on your airstreams roof.
These may not be as efficient as an installed system, but with good conservation practices a good portable panel should keep your batteries topped off.
Of course there are some drawbacks, like the potential for theft, or something to carry around, but these can be had for very reasonable prices.
I am going to be purchasing one from GoPower or someone similar come next spring.
Portable Solar Kits (120, 80 & 40 watts) | GPElectric
Hope that helps.
-J
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11-01-2013, 01:11 PM
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#11
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Full Time Alumaloafer
1966 24' Tradewind
Livingston
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 143
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The portable 130 watt system I have been using might be more efficient than a similarly-sized rooftop system, as the azimuth can be corrected as the day progresses, whereas the rooftop systems are usually stationary.
Mine is a Solarland from rvsolarnow.com, and am very pleased the performance it offers. That said, I am looking to sell in favor of an AM Solar rooftop system due to limited boon docking in areas where placement to avoid shade is a problem. Once we are in Arizona, I do not expect a significant advantage of the portable over a rooftop type.
In the Northeast, or frequent camping at shaded sites, I believe the portable is the way to go.
__________________
Lou Axt, Jr.
1966 Tradewind
1969 Chevy C10
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Phillipians 4:13
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