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09-24-2019, 05:55 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master 
2019 27' Globetrotter
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 691
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Obsidian panel from Zamp (new)
Zamp solar is making new panels called the obsidian. Less than than 1" thick including frame.
Expensive but I am wondering if the low profile would be of any benefit?
www.zamp.com
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09-24-2019, 07:41 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Try www.zampsolar.com. You’ll find that it works much better!
__________________
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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09-24-2019, 08:32 PM
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#3
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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Obsidian panel from Zamp (new)
No benefit mounting on an already 10’ high, 7,500lb travel trailer with irregular, non aerodynamic roofline to begin with, in my opinion.
BTW - shameless plug - if you are considering solar upgrade, might want to hit up Lewster who is just down the road [emoji6] he did a nice job on my 30’... [emoji4]
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f539...-182406-2.html
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09-24-2019, 09:25 PM
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#4
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The Aluminum Tent 3
2014 23' Flying Cloud
Park City
, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,157
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Obsidian panel from Zamp (new)
Get good old $100sh panels and spend the extra money on batteries. Or other gear. Or beer.
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09-25-2019, 10:11 AM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member 
1976 31' Excella 500
Chappell Hill
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 485
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pcskier
Get good old $100sh panels and spend the extra money on batteries. Or other gear. Or beer.
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This!
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09-26-2019, 07:32 PM
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#6
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JFTKSU78
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Olathe
, Kansas
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 127
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At 30% less weight - maybe a retrofit solution sized as a direct replacement of AS front awning to a solar awning next to battery box....?
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09-26-2019, 07:46 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2016 16' Sport
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,596
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[QUOTE=pcskier;2292304]Get good old $100sh panels and spend the extra money on beer.
I fixed it for ya.
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10-02-2019, 06:51 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Bend
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 762
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Ok, here we go.
400W of Obsidian panels!
These panels are light, especially when compared to the Renogy panels I had previously.
Looking forward to getting out next week and giving them a work out!
Only one wonky pic... sorry..
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10-02-2019, 07:41 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2016 16' Sport
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,596
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Looking forward to the suitcase versions.
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10-02-2019, 09:18 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2013 28' International
Bozeman
, Montana
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 466
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gsmblue
Ok, here we go.
400W of Obsidian panels!
These panels are light, especially when compared to the Renogy panels I had previously.
Looking forward to getting out next week and giving them a work out!
Only one wonky pic... sorry..
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Very cool, love the slim look. Thanks for sharing the pics.
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10-03-2019, 09:00 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Bend
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 762
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No problem. I live close to Zamp and my friend works there. They wanted to make a set of feet that fit the curved roof of an airstream, keeping the panel as low as possible. I took my Airstream over a few times so they could measure and fit. Such a great team over there, they really care about their products and customers!
As you can see from the pics they worked out really well. If I recall correctly my old Renogy panels were 16.5lbs each and the Obsidian panels are ~11lbs so a total weight saving of ~22lbs.
For a suitcase that weight difference could be a huge deal. The panels are so thin I am not sure how they would make legs that collapse underneath or mount a controller - hopefully they work it out!
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10-03-2019, 12:43 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member 
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 226
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GSMBlue,
Thanks for the pics. I too look forward to reading about your experience with these new Zamp panels.
BTW, did you use the AS Solar Pre-Wire, or run new, heavier gauge wire?
Cheers,
Bryan
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10-10-2019, 10:07 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Bend
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 762
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The factory cables in my 2015 are 10AWG and the run is about 25ft. So we put in some 8AWG instead.
It was not super difficult to do and I will probably write something up on this. Basically it runs from the front of the Airstream, under the couch to the fridge. From there we went up outside the fridge through the microwave compartment and up to the roof to a zamp combiner box.
We are currently camping with hook ups (our preferred campground was closed!) I am going to unplug in the afternoon and let the panels do some work.
I am happy to answer any other questions!
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10-10-2019, 10:57 AM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 226
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Gsmblue,
OK, thanks for the reply.
Look forward to hearing about the performance of these Obsidians. Being from Oregon, I love the name and its connection to Central Oregon.
Cheers,
Bryan
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11-13-2019, 05:19 PM
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#15
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1 Rivet Member 
2019 Basecamp
West Linn
, Oregon
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gsmblue
Ok, here we go.
400W of Obsidian panels!
These panels are light, especially when compared to the Renogy panels I had previously.
Looking forward to getting out next week and giving them a work out!
Only one wonky pic... sorry..
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Wow. Those panels are really thin. I do like the look. Wonder if they will be on Airstreams from the factory. Do they make the 90 watt panels? I may replace the two on my trailer if they do.
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11-13-2019, 06:15 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2004 28' Classic
Monument
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,566
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Gsmblue,
Nice install! Looks great!
__________________
DaveP
2004 Airstream Classic 28 "Willard"
2023 Ram 3500 4x4
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11-13-2019, 06:59 PM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
2020 25' Globetrotter
Los Gatos
, California
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 415
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Getting new 25 GT in Jan and will be doing solar myself as I did with 22 Sport I am trading in. That was Renogy install and used 3M tape and sikaflex. The Zamp obsidian mounting rails look easier and may not need messy sikaflex, just run 3M along the rails. Almost 4 times the cost but do like the lower profile (at 6’4” I do see the Renogy panels). Like to know how easy the wire install was on the 25FC, maybe the same route on the 25 GT?
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11-13-2019, 10:40 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Bend
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 762
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Yes, these will be going on Airstreams. They do make a 90W too.
So far performance has been excellent!
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12-22-2019, 04:37 PM
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#19
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3 Rivet Member
2014 27' Flying Cloud
2023 30' International
Las Cruces
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 166
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We are installing 300W of Obsidian panels (3 x100W panels) on our FC27FB. We had flexible panels and they didn't hold up well.
Install should be done mid Jan, I'll post some pics when it is completed
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12-23-2019, 03:22 PM
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#20
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1 Rivet Member
2019 Basecamp
West Linn
, Oregon
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wilsodf
We are installing 300W of Obsidian panels (3 x100W panels) on our FC27FB. We had flexible panels and they didn't hold up well.
Install should be done mid Jan, I'll post some pics when it is completed
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Are you going to do the installation yourself or having a dealer complete it for you?
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