Solar panels for my airstream 23' international

[lewster]

Forgive me, but having installed many panels on Airstreams, just how is it made for Airstreams?

Also, since you insist on putting holes in your roof when it is absolutely NOT necessary, if you definitely want leaks thru those holes, then be sure to use the silicone recommended.

And when you DO get leaks, you will find that no sealant will adhere over the original silicone, especially more silicone!!!!!

[BAB]

Gary, the worst of all compounds to use on an A/S is silicone...it's replete throughout these Forums....you just can't fool the molecules that do NOT want to bond. You won't find the factory using ANY silicone to seal anything, and there's a reason for that. (P.S. As I said in an earlier post, I got the Lewster flame regarding fastening my panels. Trust me. He's right. You do NOT need to screw the panels down, and aerodynamically, my panels aren't more than 1 1/2" from the roof.)

[drboyd]

Originally Posted by Gary W Wong

<snip>. They will be sealing the roof penetrations where the screws mount with recommended silicon sealers.

<snip>

One really cannot use the words "Airstream," "silicone sealer," and "recommended" in the same sentence. I assumed that you were using "silicon" as a generic term for whatever sealer they were using.

Lewster is right, in that the tape will do it. I chickened out, as the sun in Arizona is legendary for killing plastics and adhesives. In any part of the coutry where normal people live on purpose, tape would clearly be the best solution.

If this place is actually charging you $2800 and using silicone sealer on aluminum, you have a problem.

[Bigcgar]

Lewster when it indicates that my Airstream is prewired for solar and satellite is their some junction where I can find this pre wired location. I'm assuming its on the roof? Also would there be something inside the trailer that would be wired for the controller?

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Bigcgar

Lewster when it indicates that my Airstream is prewired for solar and satellite is their some junction where I can find this pre wired location. I'm assuming its on the roof? Also would there be something inside the trailer that would be wired for the controller?

You have a PM

[Bigcgar]

Ahhhh and a PM is a parts manual? Sorry I not the sharpest tool in the shed. :-)

[Bigcgar]

Wait I figured it out. Private message. In my business it's either preventative maint or a parts manual. Duh!

[SSquared]

The 2013 Flying Cloud Owner's Manual gives the location for the solar panel pre-wire, and also the cat 5 wire for the solar monitor/display.

Here is what it says:

"Positive (Yellow) and Negative (Green) leads run from
the battery buss bar to under the center roof sheet, just
behind the front roof vent on 19 ft., 20 ft., 23 ft. Front
Bed, and 25 ft. Front Bed models, and just in front of
the rear roof vent on 23 ft., 27 ft. Front Bed, 28 ft., and
30 ft. models.
The battery buss bar is located on the front end shell
inside skin, next to the battery compartment. Front
bed models have the bar located under the front bed.
Battery cables will run to this bar.
A Cat 5-patch cord for a solar panel display, if supplied
with the after market unit, runs from the battery buss
bar to an area just below the CatCon seven display.
The solar panel display panel can be mounted just
below the CatCon monitor panel by routing the proper
size hole. The Cat 5 wire is plugged into the display
panel."

[Bigcgar]

SSquared:

Thanks for you feedback, I also connected with Lewster and I am now in a much better position to understand what I'm faced with as I evaluate my options. Lewster recommends upgrading the standard wiring as it will basically support a 100 watt solar panel but if I decide to go up from that I should consider the bigger gauge wire.

[tsunami]

Originally Posted by Gary W Wong

Swift, they are installing 200wats on mine and on a 23' I am sure there are limits to the locations from the standpoint of the airstream layout.

If possible, would you please post a photo of the solar panels after installation. I'm interested in seeing how they are positioned. Thanks

[Gary W Wong]

Here is the installation photos. They did a great job at the dealership and the panels are riveted to the frame and the the alumn skin with expansion anchors. This is the preferred mounting method by Airstream.

Non shrink seal prevents the weather from penetrating the exterior.

[Gary W Wong]

200 watts (2-100watt zamp solar class A monochrystaline silicon panels mounted on the roof with a 30 amp 5 phase digital PWM solar charge controller.

12.8 amps per hour approximately.

[gandttimes]

Not to nit- pick but depending on the way you park in the sun, you are going to get massive shadows from your a/c unit on the panels which will affect your charging ability.
GM

[Gary W Wong]

Fully understood. I know someone who had their portable solar panels stolen as they are set on the ground. And to save me the time and effort of set up portables, this solution worked the best for me. Majority of the time my International will be parked on the project site as my architectural office. No shadows will be a concern there.

[lewster]

Many other mounting techniques exist to NOT put holes in your roof and NOT position your panels where they will get shaded. I hope that you get the performance you anticipate from your system.

[Gary W Wong]

They did am awesome job preventing any leaks with Airstream recommendations for mounting and sealing the connections.

I don't see a problem with my panel locations for I will be in non shaded construction sites majority of the time.
This will be my architectural mobile office and once in a while on recreation at open rv parks.

[Tincampers]

I am late to the party here, but the shading everyone is referring to is from the A/C unit as shown in your picture not from trees or other buildings.

[lewster]

Very true. Narrower 100 watt panels could have been placed further forward so that the panels never saw any shading.

Experience and the use of the right components teaches one the optimal placement for the best exposure. Anyone can install panels on a roof. Not everyone can do it for maximum output.

[interstateflyer]

AM Solar installed two GS-100, 100 watt and one GS-135 panel on a 2012 International 23D. Two 100s lengthwise behind the AC and one 135 crosswise in front.

[Gary W Wong]

I have two factory installed solar panels on my roof. They are hard wired and physically mounted on my roof to the structure.they use non hardening sealant approved by airstream. The two panels sit side to side the width of my airstream and directly behind the air condotioner. We have been boon docking two times and we have run the tv, refrigerator, water heater, DVD player and for half the day on a sunny day we did not run out of juice. Of course we went to bed at 10pm. But next morning we woke at 7am and I check the meter and my batteries were 3/4 charged.

We had our 5 iPhones charging that day and tv running and still
Did not run out.

Works well until probably a less sunny day.

The Zamp solar airstream package works great. I had the factory install it for I did not want to void the warranty.





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