Solar system entry point?

[Aircooled]

Hi Streamers,
I have a 2012 airstream international 23fb. My question is has anyone done a solar install on this model? The trailer is pre wired for solar. Should I use this tie in point and if so where is it? The manual claims the roof of our AS is labeled where you drill to pull the solar pre-wire. I can't find this label and the manual is vague about its location. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

[alano]

I would suggest dropping by the dealer and asking them to pinpoint the location of the solar prewiring. Many folks have successfully reused this wiring for a DIY installation. In my case I installed (4) 100 W panels in a series and parallel arrangement to reuse the wiring. This kept the losses due to the prewiring at less than 2%. I used a Blue Sky MPPT controller with their IPN Pro remote for a quality solar charger and battery monitor. You can also use the existing CAT5 wiring to connect the IPN remote to the controller. This made the job much easier and I didn't have to worry about installing unsightly channels or conduit.

[Foiled Again]

Isn't it Uranus?

[BoldAdventure]

Originally Posted by Aircooled

I have a 2012 airstream international 23fb. My question is has anyone done a solar install on this model?

Nope, never been done before. You'll be the first. Most don't bother.











Just kidding of course.

[Wayne&Sam]

Now, now Foiled.

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by Aircooled

Hi Streamers,
I have a 2012 airstream international 23fb. My question is has anyone done a solar install on this model? The trailer is pre wired for solar. Should I use this tie in point and if so where is it? The manual claims the roof of our AS is labeled where you drill to pull the solar pre-wire. I can't find this label and the manual is vague about its location. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

Ours came with factory installed solar. The wiring entry is on the street (port/ left) side of the A/C unit, about halfway between the shroud and the gutter. Is there any kind of plug or indentation in that area?

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Isn't it Uranus?

That's as good a place to enter the solar system as any. Just watch out for Klingons and Borgs.

[GammaDog]

Why not get started with panels "on the ground". Several manufacturers offer "solar suitcases" which are cheap, portable and a way to get your feet wet... or sunburned... or whatever you do with solar.

We carry 2 X 100 watt Renogy panels with the Renogy Wanderer controller. I also carry 2 Honda 2000s with propane conversions. The Renogy setup connects directly to our battery bank with Anderson Power 12 volt disconnects so setup is a 2 minute, secure and foolproof (or the higher standard, GammaDog proof) event.

On the trip we are on now we've used solar when dry camping with good weather (Navajo National Monument and Arches NP) and generators when needed (Grand Canyon North Rim and Bryce Canyon NP).

I love the flexibility this gives us, plus I can have the trailer in the shade and the panels in the sun and even move them as the light changes through the day.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Isn't it Uranus?

The Oort Cloud, actually. Got to pass through that and then the Kuiper Belt before you can reach the orbit of Uranus.

Why do I suddenly feel like the AirForums has fallen into an episode of "Big Bang Theory"?

[Robert24341]

Check out AMSolar.com in Oregon. They have extensive experience and can answer many questions.