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bhunt · 01-28-2007, 02:50 PM

Being in the market for solar panels and a generator, it occurred to me that few Airstreamers want to actually attach a generator to their AS. It's just expected that the generator will be free standing by the trailer. So why attach solar panels? When I'm travelling, the tow vehicle does the charging, and when I'm boondocking, why can't I just find a sunny spot and throw out a fixed or flexible panel, or stand one up by or against the trailer? If you buy a new AS, you can take this system with you. But the benefit of this for me is that we own two Airstreams, and installing two solar systems seems redundant and doubly expensive. For a rigid panel, I'm looking at an Evergreen Solar EC-115-GD at 115 Watts/12 Volts. For a flexible panel, there's a military grade 55 Watt/12 Volt that will fold up into a very small package when not in use. Of course, both would require and are designed for an inexpensive solar charge controller, and you could add panels as needed. Am I missing something here or does this make sense? I've been through previous forums and this doesn't seem to be addressed yet.

BigAl · 01-28-2007, 03:16 PM

Only concern that I envision is that they develop legs and get lost!
Al

bhunt · 01-28-2007, 03:27 PM

Good point, Al. I think I can chain a rigid panel down, though, if that's an issue.

Jim Clark · 01-28-2007, 03:35 PM

I see no problem. You can park in the shade and put the panels in the sun, sounds like a winner.

Jim

davidz71 · 01-28-2007, 03:44 PM

You could make a PVC cradle that would allow you to move the mount around to keep it pointed toward the sun. You could also incorporate a pivot for up and down. If you are always going to be near the trailer then no problem otherwise someone will walk off with it. As far as chaining the panel down, many panels have aluminum frames which allso Z feet to be screwed/bolted to it. If someone wants the panel badly enough, they will circumvent this. You could disconnect and place the panel inside if you were leaving for a period of time. There are some honker size panels out there worth plenty of money and I'd hate to see someone walk off with your investment if you get get one of the over 100 size panels.

I have used a 5 watt and 25 watt panel and have placed them on top of the trailer without problems. In 3 months I will be installing one or two 100 watt panels on top of my trailer which will be mounted with 3M tape and adjustible feet so the only thing I have to do is clean them from time to time.

john hd · 01-28-2007, 05:32 PM

bhunt

i thought about doing the same thing. i thought a brief case type design that would fold up to protect the panels when travelling.

connection to trailer would be made using the umbilical cord. the same circuit the tow vehicle charges by would be used.

and as was pointed out, park in the shade, panels in the sun.

best of all no holes in the trailer roof!

john

bhunt · 01-29-2007, 01:46 PM

john hd

Those are good suggestions. Thanks. The theft issue raised by BigAl still baffles me, though. One of the solar panels I'm considering sells for about $800! How can you really secure a free standing panel? That seems to be the biggest problem. Now that I think about it, wind could be another issue. Leave your AS for a hike in the woods, either the wind comes up and blows the panel into that soft aluminum AS skin, or somebody walks off with it for their own use. Anyone have good solutions to those issues?

rickandsandi · 01-29-2007, 01:49 PM

Not only would I be concerned with them walking off, where the heck would you store them? One more thing to drag out and set up. It's enough with chairs, grills, matts and all the rest. Up on the roof and ready to go!

john hd · 01-29-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Anyone have good solutions to those issues?

dunno, every place i have ever camped i have never worried about theft. most folks are good, i always lock up my hitch reciever so i can at least get back home!

this set up is something one would use for boon docking mostly, chain it to your hitch i suppose.

john

klattu · 01-29-2007, 03:45 PM

Something else to set up and take down.

And the kids don't have to live and play in fear.

john hd · 01-29-2007, 03:47 PM

i guess if you used the flexible marine panels the kids could hop scotch on them!

john

Turtle · 01-29-2007, 05:40 PM

I have the flexible marine panel. I siliconed the plastic hold downs for the grommet holes to the top of trailer above the front window. Takes a step ladder to get it up there. I feel good about leaving it for short trips away. Feels solid in a light wind. Haven't experienced high winds yet. I can take it down and follow the sun if shade is a problem. Or just spring clamp it to the rock guard awning of the front window. Hop scotch sounds like a fun use for it too. Jamie

altamont · 01-29-2007, 05:47 PM

I made a PVC pipe frame with adjustable 2 adjustable tilt legs and attached 3 16 watt panels I got from Costco online. It came with a very simple charger and did the trick. HOWEVER, I was using it on my Jayco 23 B and just stored it inside when traveling as I really didn't care if I nicked up the inside so much. I also carried a Yamaha 2400is generator and chained both together and then attached to the trailer frame. Hassle free it was not. When I got our Safari 27 FB SE LS I got the solar panels and had them installed by the dealer and it was worth all that I spent. Even my wife wanted the factory panels and setup and she hates to spend money on one of my toys!

Zugbug · 01-29-2007, 07:46 PM

I use an 85 watt panel that I built a light aluminum frame for. Can park in the shade and have my panel in the sun it has worked great.

Zugbug

altamont · 02-02-2007, 05:48 PM

I talked with AS today and the rep for the solar collectors said that if ANY part of the panel is in the shade, it decreases the amount of current produced dramatically. Even having the TV antenna shadow will across the cells stops current like a on/off switch. Interesting as I thought that if you had 80% sunlight you got 80% power. Not the case. If an antenna falls across the middle of the panel, it cuts the power in half. In other words, don't put the panels under trees.

davidz71 · 02-02-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by altamont

I talked with AS today and the rep for the solar collectors said that if ANY part of the panel is in the shade, it decreases the amount of current produced dramatically. Even having the TV antenna shadow will across the cells stops current like a on/off switch. Interesting as I thought that if you had 80% sunlight you got 80% power. Not the case. If an antenna falls across the middle of the panel, it cuts the power in half. In other words, don't put the panels under trees.

The type of panel also comes into play here. Amorphous panels are only 6-8 % efficient while Polycrystalline and Monocrystalline panels are both 12-14% effecient. What I have learned from some research is that you need at least the 36 cell panel and 44 cell panels are even better because they are putting out 21.5 volts straight from the panel. Panels drop several volts when they are hot according to what I have read so anything over 17 volts out of the panel should do the trick. Wire size also affects voltage drop.

bhunt · 02-03-2007, 08:10 AM

Zugbug,
Do you do anything to prevent theft of the panel? Has 85 watts been enough for your lifestyle in a 19' Bambi?

Zugbug · 02-05-2007, 08:48 AM

I haven't done anything to lock up the panel. but I am not normally away from the trailer for more than 5 or 6 hours at a strech. This is something I may need to consider depending on the place I am camped.
As far as power I have run for 3 or 4 days and kept my single battery at full charge the whole time. This is with using the DVD TV part of the time too.

Zugbug