Merlin Solar for 2023

[LNBright]

https://www.airstream.com/blog/whats...del-year-2023/

Reading this, noticed that Airstream is going to Merlin for solar now.

Anyone have experience with them, versus Zamp, Renogy, etc?

[Air2Dream]

Airstream’s change to 300 watt solar package is a great change. In addition to the new solar panels, what other changes are included in the change? Airstream no longer provides batteries in the bulk of their units; what lithium batteries makes can be dropped into Airstreams battery box?

Anyone have any experience with this new setup?

[jeffb831]

Originally Posted by Big Enough

In addition to the new solar panels, what other changes are included in the change?

The biggest related change is a multi-stage auto-detecting power converter, which doesn't require any changes for the different battery chemistry options

Details of all the announced changes for 2023 can be found here: https://www.airstream.com/blog/whats...del-year-2023/

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by Big Enough

Airstream’s change to 300 watt solar package is a great change. In addition to the new solar panels, what other changes are included in the change? Airstream no longer provides batteries in the bulk of their units; what lithium batteries makes can be dropped into Airstreams battery box?

Anyone have any experience with this new setup?

I stopped by the Battle Born booth at the Fryeburg International Rally where they had a drop-in battery for the Airstream battery box. There may be others but that’s one that I know of.

[Air2Dream]

Attached is a Battle Born battery site that has some great information to aid in adding lithium batteries to your Merlin system:

https://battlebornbatteries.com/char...es-the-basics/

[Air2Dream]

The new Merlin 300 watt solar package is a great addition. However is 300 watts enough?

The following website provides a calculator to determine how long it will take to charge a battery. To charge two 100 AH Lithium batteries from being fully expended to fully charged is 9.8 hrs or about 2 days.

https://footprinthero.com/solar-pane...ime-calculator

[Air2Dream]

If 9.8 hours to charge your lithium batteries is too long, then sing a portable solar panel is great way to supplement Airstreams 300 watt solar package. Not only can you add additional surface area but th solar panels can be position to maximize collation of solar energy. One simple modifications can further enhance a portable panels output. See the attached video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjz1-hB8Vgc

[FredWilma]

I believe the other change in 2023 trailers is the upgrading of the solar pre-wire. 8AWG cabling from roof to controller which should be good enough for 800W of solar on the roof.

In addition the solar port on the A frame can now take 300W so a total of 1100W of solar pre wire.

This is a welcome change as adding this amount of solar previously would typically involve pulling heavier cabling, often with new perforations in the roof.

[Air2Dream]

Originally Posted by FredWilma

I believe the other change in 2023 trailers is the upgrading of the solar pre-wire. 8AWG cabling from roof to controller which should be good enough for 800W of solar on the roof.

In addition the solar port on the A frame can now take 300W so a total of 1100W of solar pre wire.

This is a welcome change as adding this amount of solar previously would typically involve pulling heavier cabling, often with new perforations in the roof.

The wiring changes are a welcome change. Is there any information available that provides a more comprehensive description of the entire solar setup?

[jeffb831]

Originally Posted by FredWilma

I believe the other change in 2023 trailers is the upgrading of the solar pre-wire. 8AWG cabling from roof to controller which should be good enough for 800W of solar on the roof.

In addition the solar port on the A frame can now take 300W so a total of 1100W of solar pre wire.

This is a welcome change as adding this amount of solar previously would typically involve pulling heavier cabling, often with new perforations in the roof.

The 8Ga wire is included in the 2022 models and may be even further back than that.

On page 8-16 of my 2022 Int'l owners manual, there is a wiring diagram and it specs the wire from the combiner to the solar control as 8Ga

[rhensley]

My 2021 Classic owners manual shows 8AWG for solar on page 8-20.

Regards,
Ron

[Chipeckhard]

At first glance from the ground they look good up there. You might want to check the wiring because it is all just laid around under the panels and mine has already rubbed the white paint off the roof. ( 1 month ). The wire from the panels appears to be much bigger than Zamp. The junction box looks exactly the same as the past couple years.( has a Merlin logo on now) The connections going into it have a hard time staying in
I Airstream support doesn’t know what to say because they are so new. Merlin has yet to answer my message.
We ordered a 2022 with the option and when it finally got built it showed up as a surprise 2023.
Batteries should at least be an option, then A. S. Could stand behind what they sell.

[TrvlngTinTin]

Got a Great! Surprise this week. Dealer called up and said Hey your Trailers here😀!
Went and took a quick peek.
Surprise it’s a 23. Trailer Looks Fantastic. Maybe one issue with rock guard will see?
But on the solar front I was initially excited to have the extra 30 Watts.
Now 🤔 can’t find these 100 watt panels to add few more.
And yep did not come with the AGMs.
Not sure yet what dealership will offer.
But got my eye on 270 amp hr battery and a 50 amp multi plus.
But supper excited to have airstream 12 months to the day almost.

[TrvlngTinTin]

Not sure if AS panels are 100 or 150 watts each?
And what specs on back of panel to try and possibly combine?

https://www.custommarineproducts.com...ar-panels.html

[DogMomDeb]

My 2023 FC has the upgraded solar package - 300 watts. There are 3 panels on the roof so 100 watts each.

[scho7623]

Originally Posted by DogMomDeb

My 2023 FC has the upgraded solar package - 300 watts. There are 3 panels on the roof so 100 watts each.

Does your FC come with batteries as well? I heard now you can choose between AGM or Lithium batteries. Is that correct?

[DogMomDeb]

Originally Posted by scho7623

Does your FC come with batteries as well? I heard now you can choose between AGM or Lithium batteries. Is that correct?

When we ordered back in 2021, we asked for the AGM batteries to be installed. So for us it didn’t matter that the trailer came without batteries from the factory. They installed those batteries once it hit their lot.
Eventually we want to covert the queen to twins and upgrade to the lithium batteries.
I don’t know if there would have been a problem if we had changed our minds, (once the trailer was complete) and wanted the lithiums. Certainly it would have cost us more but I assume that they could have put them instead.

[Bcc75]

Has anyone that has received a new trailer with the Merlin solar package received any literature whatsoever with your owners manual kit?

My kit seemed to missing this as well as other manuals for key components?

No info whatsoever on the panels , or the control panel inside the trailer

[Chipeckhard]

I do not remember seeing any literature for the panels. They are 100 W each.
Could not find much information on them at all.

As far as the controller, it is all Victron, and is very easily found on the Internet. I do remember seeing a very small pamphlet. ( fyi it is NOT Bluetooth)

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by Chipeckhard

I do not remember seeing any literature for the panels. They are 100 W each.
Could not find much information on them at all.

As far as the controller, it is all Victron, and is very easily found on the Internet. I do remember seeing a very small pamphlet. ( fyi it is NOT Bluetooth)

I don't know what Victron controller they install now but if it has a VE direct port then its easy to just plug a Bluetooth dongle into it.