Return to Airstream Factory for Solar?

[PJohnson]

Has anyone returned to Jackson Center to have Airstream install solar, if so please let me know about your experience, equipment and costs. I would like to get solar installed on my new Classic to keep my batteries charged when I am not using the trailer.

[ghaynes755]

Rather than drive to Jackson Center consider having Marvin Braun www.precisionrv.com, Lew Farber (Lewster on the forums) or AMSolar in Eugene, OR do the work of you. Nothing inherently wrong with the Airstream supplied/installed system but you can do more for less with one of these three folks. And all operate around your area without the long drive.

[PJohnson]

I do appreciate the suggestion but I would rather have the factory do the work for the following reasons:
1. The panel pre-wiring for the 2016 Classic is no longer in the refrigerator compartment. Access to the pre-wiring for both the solar panels and the monitor requires drilling (on the roof and above the range). I prefer to not have the after market companies practice on my trailer.
2. I do not need or want to pay for new monitor and heavy gauge wiring. I prefer to use the existing wiring since I only want a 50 - 100 watt system.

If anyone has experience with the factory / service center install, please reply.

[alano]

If you consider the solar system that Airstream installs, you can do much better by specifying the system you want and seeking out the experts that Gary suggested. The Airstream solar charger doesn't include a three-stage battery charger or quality battery monitor. By selecting quality components you'll get better value for your money and a solar installation that has room to grow. For example, I have a 2015 Classic and I installed the Blue Sky 3024 controller and IPN Pro remote. My system reused the existing solar pre-wiring and CAT5 cable. I installed it myself but if that's something you're not comfortable with, I can assure you these guys and many others who specialize in solar installs can do a clean install and reuse the existing wiring.

[Rocinante]

So a small solar system will certainly help keep batteries charged when not using the trailer, as long as it is parked outdoors vs. under cover.

If you want more than this from such a small system, however, you will be disappointed. From our experience, even a 150 watt system is not enough to keep the batteries charged while camping without electric hookups unless we're camped in the blasting sunshine and are incredibly stingy with our usage. As long at that's cool with you, the system installed by the mothership will probably do the job.

To make life easier for yourself, you may also want to check with your local Airstream dealer. Ours put in the 150 Watt Zamp system we have today. It uses the built-in solar wiring that Airstream puts into trailers. Within the margins you've established (e.g. just charging batteries when you're not using the trailer), that system would also meet your needs.

Happy solar charging!

[Aerowood]

I can speak for Lew only as I have taught with him at the Vintage Restoration Rally's. His is a true professional and I would not hesitate for a minute to let him put a hole in the roof in my Airstream and aircraft metalwork is one of my professions. You are kidding yourself if you think Airstream can do a better job then Lew. You will get better quality components, more capacity, a cleaner install, and probably a better price.

[Minipad]

I had the factory install my 150 watt panel, controller and display. The cost was about $2200. The work was terrible and the controller and display are poor quality and design. The display has issues, however only aesthetic. The controller had to be replaced in 8 months, for which Airstream offered no assistance. I had to contact the supplier and purchase a new one and then fight to get a refund when they received mine back. The factory failed to install a required inline fuse for the panel. To access the preinstalled wires, the had to remove the shroud of my Fantastic Fan. When they put it back, they nicked the negative wire with a screw. Took me months to figure that out. Back to the controller, while it is rated at 30 AMPS, it does a poor job of handling the current above about 8 Amps. I have a truck mounted panel that I can plug into the system to supplement the roof mounted system but the controller doesn't like the added amperage. The additional panel is properly wired to be upstream of the controller and it should work. The controller is also not a multi-stage and, as often discussed in this forum, that is a bad plan for the house batteries. If you are worried about drilling holes in your roof, you should know that Airstream will drill plenty. At least 8 to hold the panel and they still have to drill a hole to access the preinstalled wires. I ended up having to repair their work on the roof as well. Perhaps it depends on the tech that actually does the work but my experience was not good. And that doesn't mention the metal filings that I kept finding for about a month after they finished.

[Urbanologist]

You'll not get what you're hoping for at the factory. However, you seem to be convinced otherwise. They are not the guru's on ADVANCED solar technology! Don't justify the journey to Jackson Center AND pay them for JUST keeping your house batteries charged. My PanAmerica has a basic solar system (factory) that came with it via the dealer. Just NOT what you'd expect - given the price of a new PA! Some things just aren't best done by Mother! She means well. Heck, do your homework on this and check out experts as noted by the forum members.

[Plan-B]

Don't waste your money on Airstream solar. It's nothing but a little over a novelty with very sub standard charge controllers and components. Listen to what others on this thread have mentioned and whom to contact. They are not steering you wrong and the installation will be superior as the equipment to Airstream's. There will be NO holes drilled anywhere in your roof, not even for the solar mounts. They are experts. I have had two systems from AM solar and most recent a 400w system installed on a 26U. You will not regret and will be elated going the path(s) suggested.

[rmkrum]

Go with AM solar, don't bother with the undersized pre-installed wire or the too-small and cheap overpriced Airstream system. Do it right

Search for posts by Lewster. He knows what he is doing. Period.




Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

[guskmg]

Go with 'lewster." He has the technical background, certifications, and ability to do the job right the first time. The Airstream factory is excellent and I have them do all my repairs and modifications. But, they are not as capable with solar. Mainly, because of costs, but engineering as well. I had "lewster" do mine with AM Solar components; 800w Blue Sky solar, 600ah lithium Po, and a 3,000w Magnum inverter charger. Everything went like clock work. I could not be more pleased with the results. I love playing with it and staying off the grid. Lew is a prince of a guy and very easy to work with. I would repeat the experience in a heart beat. The experience is worth the trip many times over.
guskmg

[Ziggy2]

The Airstream factory package is junk compared to what's out there in the private sector.

[TBRich]

I'd 2nd AMSolar / Lew Farber...better system and you don't have to worry about "practicing" on your rig...they are pros, and not new to this game, by any means.

[MarkFinATX]

I was at the factory in March, the week our Pendleton (#62) was built. We added the solar package at our dealership and I did see it being installed. I had terrible wifi in Lima (hotel) and in Jackson Center, but what I was able to learn is exactly what the majority say in this thread. It's basic, basic solar. Aftermarket offers so many options that are better than the factory, I wish I had waited. Just didn't know any better.
My plan now is to add portable panels, and tie them into the current system. Still in testing mode, but have had weeks of cloudy weather in TX (unusual) and so far it looks like it tops off the batteries (AGM x 2) but would not be enough reserve for long term boondocking. We do travel with a Honda 3000i generator so I can run one A/C unit and get a full charge on the batteries without sun. Some of the dry camping sites that we have reserved this summer (National Parks) have pretty dense forest canopies, so I doubt I would rely on any solar system for an entire week. I'll just run the Honda during the late afternoon for a couple of hours. Good luck with your decision. I love JC but it's a long haul from Austin and I don't know if I would trust my dealership...

[alano]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Go with AM solar, don't bother with the undersized pre-installed wire or the too-small and cheap overpriced Airstream system. Do it right

If you're planning to install 200 W or less the existing solar pre-wiring is fine and not undersized. The losses due to the pre-wiring, even in the 30' classic will be less than 3%. You can even continue to increase solar capacity by adding two more panels in a series/parallel arrangement for a total of 400 W. In my system, the losses due to the existing solar pre-wiring are less than 2%!

I think for some folks who are concerned about the work involved in installing solar, to not reuse the existing solar pre-wiring is a deal breaker. For me, I probably wouldn't have undertaken a DIY installation if I had to run the cabling. I'm sure I would have also found it challenging to run a CAT5 cable from the solar controller to the area containing the See Level monitor. So there are efficient ways to reuse the existing wiring, keep the losses down and avoid unnecessary mucking about in trying to run additional wires that I'm sure some folks can appreciate.

[Climber]

Originally Posted by PJohnson

I prefer to not have the after market companies practice on my trailer.

I may be misunderstanding you, but the idea that Lewster would "practice" on your trailer indicates you should probably do more research. Lew and AM Solar are considered by many folks to be the industry standard.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Cheers,

Climber

[Stormalong]

I have done two installs using AM SOLAR kits. Their kit truly is complete, you need nothing which is not supplied by them in the kit in one shipment. How much time would I need to invest if I sourced everything singularly? Excellent on line videos allow one to self train.
These guys have been in business for many years which speaks to their reliability.
Larry

[n2916s]

The OP seems to be long gone. Guess he has his heart set on the Mothership.

[PJohnson]

I am not “long gone,” I am waiting for an answer to my original post. Clearly I was asking about the cost and work quality of the Airstream service center upgrade.

Many of you have or need high power systems and it is obvious from your posts that the factory system is not adequate for your needs. On the other hand, I do not need a high power system. I need a system that will offset the 170-milliamp draw from the LP monitor and the inverter (4 amps per day – 28 amps per week) while the coach is in storage. I would like to have the system top off the batteries after I do a bulk charge with the generator and battery charger in order to reduce the time I must run the generator. After an earlier discussion with AM Solar, we determined that a 50 to 100 watt system would be adequate. Clearly, the system installed by the service center would be adequate (the service center does not use the same equipment as the factory).

I am also considering the Bogart Engineering SC 2030 / TM 2030 system (available for AM Solar). Furthermore, I would install the system myself if I knew where to access the pre-installed wiring (it is not in the same location as it was in older coaches like my 2010 Classic Limited). The problem with the Bogart system is the need of re-wiring the battery compartment since both the inverter and the converter power lines must be wired on the downstream side of the shunt.

[gandttimes]

I am also considering the Bogart Engineering SC 2030 / TM 2030 system (available for AM Solar). Furthermore, I would install the system myself if I knew where to access the pre-installed wiring (it is not in the same location as it was in older coaches like my 2010 Classic Limited). The problem with the Bogart system is the need of re-wiring the battery compartment since both the inverter and the converter power lines must be wired on the downstream side of the shunt.[/QUOTE]

I installed both of these units and it is really a simple operation and was very easy for a novice to install on my 2014 25fb.
Many on this forum will disagree with me but I got all the help I needed from " Solar Bob" who led me through the whole easy process. Most refer to him as "Angry Bob".
He would as others who have answered your post recommend highly against having the factory install the system for you. Get someone who understands solar, or learn how to do it yourself. It's not rocket science