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06-13-2006, 05:32 PM
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#1
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Guest
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Value of Airstream Solar Package?
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.?
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06-13-2006, 05:45 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Nipomo
, California
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 629
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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.
__________________
Mike Young & Rosemary Nelson
Bowlus Road Chief "Endymion"
BMW X3 xDrive 28D
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06-13-2006, 07:42 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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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.
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06-13-2006, 07:51 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2006 28' Safari SE
Currently Looking...
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 703
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I like it so far
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
__________________
4CU Charter Member
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06-13-2006, 08:28 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
2000 34' Limited S/O
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 374
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Solar Package
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?
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06-13-2006, 09:46 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2006 28' Safari SE
Currently Looking...
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 703
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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?
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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
__________________
4CU Charter Member
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02-04-2014, 10:27 AM
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#7
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Look for us at Assateague
1975 31' Sovereign
1955 22' Safari
Ringoes
, New Jersey
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11
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Flexible Solar Modules
I have installed solar panels on both of my 1955 and 1975 Vintage Airstream trailers. Adding an extra battery (or two or three) with a solar panel, a charging unit and a small inverter allows me to camp without an electical hookup or gas generator for about 10 days. Basically the solar generator trickle-charges the batteries while there is enough sunlight. Therefore they don't charge during rainy days and in the evening. I also replaced all of my 12-volt light bulbs to LED's to greatly reduce battery drain, and I cook and run the refrigerator on LP gas. You don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive "kits" once you know the basic components of a solar system. You can purchase a flexible 100-watt monocrystaline solar module for under $300. What is nice about the flexible modules is that you can screw them right onto your curved Airstream roof without distorting the lines of your classic trailer.
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02-04-2014, 04:02 PM
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#8
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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 didn't order the solar package with my trailer as I thought it overpriced for the output. I did install my own via one of the AM Solar packages. My 28' had room for four panels, so I generate up to 400W. I added two AGM Lifeline batteries as well. If you have to do a cost/benefit analysis, you will probably balk. They do work great and when I'm towing my batteries are always 100% full when I pull in (if there's been any sun at all). I don't believe the panels replace the generator(s). IF you want to use A/C and you have no campground hookups you have no other option than a generator. Like many on the Forum, I bought the two Honda 2000's. They work great. I do NOT see the solar panels replacing the generators....though if you didn't want to boondocks with A/C you could definitely keep your batteries filled with the solar -- if you've got sunlight, that is.
__________________
_________________
"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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02-04-2014, 04:32 PM
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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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Interesting that most of the negative comments regarding RV solar are from 2006!!!
Solar has come a long way in the past 8 years, with components getting more efficient, smaller, cheaper and better overall. It is fairly easy to design a solar charging system that WILL keep your batteries charged completely. I have designed and installed many systems that do just that, with power to spare.
Some systems have 2000 watt sine wave inverter/chargers that can even run the entire trailer….less the roof A/C of course. It comes down to what your electrical requirements are, how much you are willing to spend to satisfy those requirements and how much space you have available for the placement of solar components on your trailer.
It's a far different solar world when compared to 8 years ago.
__________________
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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02-04-2014, 07:16 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2007 23' Safari SE
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,495
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02-04-2014, 10:40 PM
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#11
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Tom and Phyllis
2018 30' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Tuscaloosa
, Alabama
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 137
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Is smaller better? Perhaps!
When taking what I already know about solar and combining it with knowledge gained from those with RV solar experience I am going "small" with my panels that I attach to the roof. This decision is based on a point somebody made in an earlier thread. They were saying that many times being parked at a site you may have sun only in patches across the roof of your RV. The panels I have tried are 55 watt and measure 24" x 24". These are designed to charge a nominal 24 volt battery but I feed them into a MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controller in a parallel configuration with each other. This gives me the advantage of MPPT technology and keeps my panels small so the loss from partial shade is reduced. When the voltage input to an MPPT controller is twice that of the battery voltage then you will have roughly double the current into the battery once the DC to DC conversion occurs.
If I see the need for portable panels they will be larger, in the 200 watt per panel and can be placed where the entire panel will be in the sun. These will be controlled by their own charge controller. These will utilize a separate charge controller and will be in series to gain the advantage of lower voltage drop if the distance is great.
__________________
Tom, Phyllis, and two Siberian Huskies
2018 30ft Flying Cloud
2015 Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel Crew Cab
LD Valley w/ 800 lb trunion bars
Honda eu3000is & 2200 generator
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02-04-2014, 11:35 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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I have factory solar on my new Eddie Bauer. Virginia - land of rain and sun and many forests. I also have an inverter for the first time. In my situation, solar is a "OK to have" but not at all essential. I have a small Honda 1000 generator that weighs less than 30 lbs and is the size of a small sewing machine that worked just as well on my former A/S. And as deeply forested as Virginia country can be the generator is much more reliable at night, after 3 days of rain, in the shade, etc.
I got a great price on the unit with all sorts of bells and whistles. Have had the inverter prove very useful once when some clod stole the 30 amp power cord. However to heat the A/S on that chilly night, what was really helpful was a regular heavy duty extension cord snaked up through the fantastic fan vent, down the roof and over to the post. Space heater took the chill off nicely. The batteries would have been flat by morning if I'd tried to run a resistance element heater from the inverter outlet. If we had been boondocking I would have fired up the generator to run the space heater.
If I lived in the Southwest desert - I'd be more impressed with solar. The people I know who are very happy with their solar here in the east generally have ground mount panels - they can FIND a patch of sun when I often find myself parked in a position where my roof mount panel is getting virtually none. Of course it takes TIME and a bit of effort to set up ground mount panels, and in today's world, chaining them to a tree isn't a bad idea. But you don't sell the system when you sell the trailer - and you could easily use it at HOME if you are in an area where power is expensive and/or unreliable.
Paula
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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02-04-2014, 11:54 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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We also have the factory solar. It's nicely installed and I like it, no longer take the generator along on our cross-country travels when we seldom have hookups. But we don't travel to the south during summer when we may want A/C. I hate the noise of generators and the A/C unit.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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03-07-2014, 07:00 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1978 25' Tradewind
Metro Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,524
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OK, I have no much the solar option is from Airstream. Here's what the components are worth, roughly, at retail.
100 Watt Panel: $200, with hardware
MPPT Controller, with remote display: $300
Wire and connections: $100 - $200 or so
Installation labor by somebody who really knows what the #$^% they are doing: $750 (that's a wild guess)
I don't know prices on AGM batteries, but you can look those up pretty easy yourself.
What does Airstream charge?
__________________
"Between what matters and what seems to matter, how should the world we know judge wisely?" - E.C. Bentley, Trent's Last Case
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03-07-2014, 07:25 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drboyd
OK, I have no much the solar option is from Airstream. Here's what the components are worth, roughly, at retail.
100 Watt Panel: $200, with hardware
MPPT Controller, with remote display: $300
Wire and connections: $100 - $200 or so
Installation labor by somebody who really knows what the #$^% they are doing: $750 (that's a wild guess)
I don't know prices on AGM batteries, but you can look those up pretty easy yourself.
What does Airstream charge?
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Airstream charges what you can negotiate the dealer down to. Same as with the aluminum panels, rivets, plywood sheets, frame steel, light bulbs . . .
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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03-07-2014, 07:46 PM
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#16
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begorragirl
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Denville
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,029
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I had solar on my SOB. I mostly boon dock at festivals. Last Summer was my first one out in the Bambi. I know about a/c, I do not have a microwave, I changed over to leds. i use propane fridge and cooking...so my biggest use would be fantastic fan all night or heat all night. My question is..
Using a 1000k how long would I have to run it to top off my batteries in the AM? My work hours have me mostly getting back very late at night. On hot nights, I find the fan enough. Thanks for help.
__________________
2006 Bambi CCD ("EireStream!!")
2010 Funfinder
2005 T@B
2001 Teardrop, Mountain Hardware Tent
For some perfection takes a little longer...
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03-07-2014, 10:05 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sbb
I had solar on my SOB. I mostly boon dock at festivals. Last Summer was my first one out in the Bambi. I know about a/c, I do not have a microwave, I changed over to leds. i use propane fridge and cooking...so my biggest use would be fantastic fan all night or heat all night. My question is..
Using a 1000k how long would I have to run it to top off my batteries in the AM? My work hours have me mostly getting back very late at night. On hot nights, I find the fan enough. Thanks for help.
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There are too many variables to answer your question. Your degree of discharge of the batteries is unknown even with the given information. The rate of charge of your batteries from your generator is also unknown, and variable with the state of charge they begin with. Temperatures also play a roll. The type of converter/charger you have will make a difference, as well as it's rated output. What do you mean by "top off" your batteries? That is what state of charge are you willing to end at?
I am not trying to be difficult here, but without a lot more information, and some monitoring of your system, there is no answer anyone can give you with any degree of accuracy.
Sometimes just running the generator for an hour or two will be fine. That is what I would try. Or if you have to leave, chain it to your trailer and fill it with gas and go. It will run out of gas and your batteries will probably be charged. Of course maybe the neighbors will object....LOL.
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03-07-2014, 10:30 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,214
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The factory list price for the 106 watt system installed on a Classic is $2,950. The 1,000 watt factory inverter is an additional $725 and powers three outlets that become dead when on shore power.. I find that total of $3,675 more than excessive for the capability.
I had a single non-factory dealer installed 150 watt panel on the 2013 25FB and it could not recharge the original lead acid batteries during the day in the bright October sun in Albuquerque with nary a tree to be seen. The 2,000 watt Honda was necessary to top off the batteries for the next nights furnace operation that would run the batteries back down to 50%.
I have ordered six 100 watt solar panels and a Magnum MS-2800 converter/inverter that will power "all" the outlets in the new trailer all the time. There will be four 6Vdc Lifeline batteries each rated for 300 amp hours so the storage will be 12Vdc and 600 amp hours capacity.
Without installation, the materials cost for our new system with freight is just twice the factory prices above for nearly six times the capability.
Just saying that there are more bang for the bucks solar systems with third party alternatives. Check out AM Solar's Educational Pages for RV Solar Systems and read up on the where and why of solar systems.
__________________
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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03-08-2014, 06:44 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Switz,
Be sure that your installer is VERY WELL VERSED in the proper method of adding you Magnum MS-2812 INVERTER/charger into your AC circuit breaker box. There are many issues with this type of conversion but when properly completed, you can operate your entire trailer (less the A/C) from your inverter when you wish.
__________________
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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03-08-2014, 07:10 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by switz
The factory list price for the 106 watt system installed on a Classic is $2,950. The 1,000 watt factory inverter is an additional $725 and powers three outlets that become dead when on shore power.. I find that total of $3,675 more than excessive for the capability.
I had a single non-factory dealer installed 150 watt panel on the 2013 25FB and it could not recharge the original lead acid batteries during the day in the bright October sun in Albuquerque with nary a tree to be seen. The 2,000 watt Honda was necessary to top off the batteries for the next nights furnace operation that would run the batteries back down to 50%.
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Last April we spent two weeks 250 southwest of Albuquerque without hookups or generator, but with Airstream factory solar and Lifeline AGM batteries. Our batteries were fully charged by noon each day, after using lights, some tv for movies, and furnace at night. I don't recall that the batteries went down near 50%, but the factory system has been good for us.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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