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Old 05-19-2006, 05:41 PM   #1
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2005 16' International CCD
Sun Valley , Idaho
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Yea for solar

We just spent a week boondocking on our proprty at Steamboat Springs,Co.
As John was building a work bench in the barn that is over a 1/4 mile away
we just used our solar intead of hauling the generator back & forth. When we were not listening to the stero we removed the face as that seemed to draw
the battery down. We were 100% most of the time and during the day when
we had the music on it still stayed 100%. Our little QS Bambi just perfect,we
were so comfy. It was a beautiful sight,all the wildflowers,Elk,Deer and coyotes at night. The coyotes must have had a feast as one day we had a
lot of Jackrabbits and the next day not one. Warm Regards and Happy Trails
Y'all come & visit, John & Betty
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Old 05-19-2006, 06:32 PM   #2
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That sounds like a wonderful week ~G
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Old 05-19-2006, 07:13 PM   #3
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Calgary , Alberta
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cool!

we've got the solar system on ours and wondered what the capacity for use in there would be, nice field test!

sounds like a fun week!

brad.
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Old 05-19-2006, 09:20 PM   #4
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Afton , Virginia
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I'm interested in installing solar on our Interstate. Can you supply some details about your installation? How big is the array? Which charge controller are you using? Was it dealer or factory installed?
That's enough for now.
Thanks
and
regards
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Old 05-19-2006, 10:36 PM   #5
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2010 30' Classic
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Solar

FYI...

I had a solar system installed last summer on my '04 Safari 25 at the Airstream dealer in Eugene, OR. I had two 65 watt panels installed... you can't really see them unless you step back and look carefully. They installed a controller from Heliotrope... the HPV 22. Unfortunately, I assumed they would have adjusted the voltage on the controller at that time but they didn't, I guess. I was cooking my batts with a voltage of 15.1 anytime the sun was full strength, which admittedly, here in the Williamette Valley of Oregon isn't a lot! Anyway, it was hard to keep up with the water needs of the batts. This month, I replaced my batts with two 6v deep cycles, installed a Xantrex 40+ charger (removing my original converter/charger) and upgraded the solar controller to the HPV 22-B. This is a nice system! I can meet my e needs in the sun just with the solar for a week or so. The new controller lets the Xantrex take care of the batts with it's three stage scheme when I am hooked up to 110v. When boondocking, I flip a switch on the HPV 22-B, and the solar outputs at full capability for max charge. Very sweet... even here in the NW.

Vince
Portland, OR
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Old 05-19-2006, 11:09 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bettymsb@msn
When we were not listening to the stero we removed the face as that seemed to draw the battery down. We were 100% most of the time and during the day when we had the music on it still stayed 100%.
Good idea to remove the face. I wouldn't have thought it would have used that much power. One thing I found in my Bambi is that Airstream wired the subwoofer directly so it stays on all the time, whether or not the sound system is being used. Sometimes I unhook it to conserve power. Ultimately, I plan to put a switch in-line.
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Old 05-20-2006, 08:27 AM   #7
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SilverRanger,is that subwoofer only in the upgraded system,or do I have one in my basic system?
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Old 05-20-2006, 10:15 AM   #8
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It is only in the upgraded systems. SilverRanger, doesn't the sub turn itself off after timeout period from lack of signal? Still, a switch would be good to have, especially in times you need to conserve power and don't need the extra bass.
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Old 05-21-2006, 12:39 PM   #9
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I was able to squeeze a 85 watt Kyocera panel on the top of my 19'.

In order to keep Bambi from baking in the sun, I also added a circuit controlled by a disk type thermostat mounted between the inner and outer skin that turns on a Fantastic Fan when the roof temperature hits 120 degrees (about 10:00 AM here in Southern Arizona these days)

I've only used the trailer on one three day weekend since I brought the unit home in March, the real test will come next winter when the sun is lower in the sky, and the heater will be running at night.

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Old 05-21-2006, 01:04 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverRanger
Good idea to remove the face. I wouldn't have thought it would have used that much power.
My Jensen radio draws 230 milliamps on standby. For details of various current draws you might like to look at this thread:
http://www.airforums.com/forum...ter-15625.html?
Nick.
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Old 05-21-2006, 06:26 PM   #11
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Answer to herrgirdner

John looked this up and said ours is a BP solar panel installed by the dealer
Bodily in Boise. The sun explorer charge controller senses when the batt is fully charged
then disconnects solar panel current to avoid over charging the batt, it resumes when batt voltage has dropped sufficiently to accept added charge
current, cycling every four min. to check the batt. condition. Hope this helps
and I hope I have written it right... Warm Regards. John & Betty
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Old 05-21-2006, 07:35 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Westfalia
SilverRanger, doesn't the sub turn itself off after timeout period from lack of signal? Still, a switch would be good to have, especially in times you need to conserve power and don't need the extra bass.
It probably should turn off after a timeout, but doesn't. I first noticed it when turning on the light next to the door. It always makes a little 'pop' noise. Dang, I guess I'll have to resort to reading the instructions.

Nick - Thanks much for the link. I'll give it a read.
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