Value of Airstream Solar Package?

06-13-2006, 05:32 PM

Any opinion on the factory installed solar package? The standard installation I believe offers two 53 watt panels. Are the components quality for the price etc.?

myoung · 06-13-2006, 05:45 PM

We like the option. It keeps the batteries topped off nicely. The batteries with the solar option are the dry type, which some would say is an advantage too. I like the information that the controller provides. It's a nice way to keep tabs on electrical usage.

**CanoeStream** · 06-13-2006, 07:42 PM

Craftsman -- You need to go into such a consideration with eyes wide open. There are practical limits to what solar will do, and then at a rather high price. Maintaining charge seems exorbitant to do what a battery minder can do for $30-40. A quiet Honda generator at $1000 is cheap compared to solar. There are small little window solar collectors mentioned in the forums if you want a no-fuss charge maintainer while in outside storage. Solar cannot keep up to allow nightly TV watching and nobody carries enough batteries to run a microwave. One always needs a hookup to run A/C, so that's not really in the argument. But an occasional 110-volt hookup will always solve your battery charging issues.

Some cost-benefit analyses have been offered on the forums -- RoadKingMoe comes to mind. Glass mat batteries as noted have benefits but can be part of your normal replacement plans. It is costly to throw out good lead-acid batteries if they aren't worn out. You'll have to sort thru a lot of threads if you use the search function, but this decision is so costly that the research is well worth it.

silverback · 06-13-2006, 07:51 PM

We've had two after market solar systems installed on our previous two AS trailers and I rate the factory package (solar panels, controller, inverter and AGM batteries) as superior. Now I haven't given it a real good boonying test yet either. But just sitting in the RV storage area (in blazing downtown Tempe AZ) is providing a 100% battery amp hours per the controller. Canoe Stream makes excellent points and we won't be dry camping without the Honda generator. That and our solar system should work pretty fine.
-Ken

tslanier · 06-13-2006, 08:28 PM

I'm just beginning and this forum has been really helpful and I appreciate all of you. Why would you need both solar and a honda generator? I had thought it was more either/or. How much does the honda generator weight?

silverback · 06-13-2006, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tslanier

Why would you need both solar and a honda generator? I had thought it was more either/or. How much does the honda generator weight?

tslanier,
The solar package on it's own can't recharge the batteries completely. There are many posts on this (try amp hours in your search). The EU2000i can be picked up one handed like a suitcase. I'm seeing the shipping weight listed as 53lbs.
-Ken