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11-01-2014, 07:52 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2014 16' Sport
Sheboygan
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 24
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Solar Panel Mounting Considerations - 2014 Sport 16
Would appreciate your opinion regarding installation of a solar panel. Not a lot of available space so probably am looking at a 50 watt panel. Given the estimated cost from the factory of $1000 plus, would this be a wise investment?
Thanks,
Marty
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11-01-2014, 08:15 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
ottawa (greely)
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 390
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I wouldn't go with factory system, due to the charge controller is not very good it's not a mppt charge controller and doesn't have a battery equalizing function, and the solar panel from airstream is too expensive , yes your right you can put a panel aprox 50-60 watts just to the left side of the a.c( street side) a very good charge controller is sold by midnite solar called the kid, and for solar panels check out northern Arizona solar web site.
Don ( freely Ontario Canada)
__________________
2012 silverado ext cab 4x4 ,5.3 L , 6 speed trans,3:42 final drive,tow package standard box 6 1/2 foot . 2014 honda forza 300 scooter, #2 2015 honda crf 250 L (Dual sport)
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01-13-2015, 12:29 AM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
2013 22' FB Sport
Seal Rock
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 27
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I've been looking at www.amsolar.com out here in Oregon. They seem to be very knowledgable about RV solar and installations.
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01-13-2015, 12:46 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
2007 20' Safari SE
2005 19' Safari
Qualicum Beach
, British Columbia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
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Have a look at Renogy. Also have a read of " handy Bob's solar blog. AM solar is fine, but there are a lot more options and opinions out there.
George
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01-27-2015, 10:24 PM
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#6
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1 Rivet Member
2014 16' Sport
Alliance
, Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 14
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How do u know if the trailer is pre wired? Can u use any set up?
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02-02-2015, 07:58 AM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
2017 25' International
2014 16' Sport
Cardiff
, California
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 25
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If you have a 2014 sport 16, you are pre wired. It just takes care of the tricky part of how to run wires from the roof to the battery. If you look under the dinette seat (where the fresh water tank, pump, etc are) you will see a loose green wire and a yellow wire. I believe they are labeled too. The manual says the other end is near the vent fan. You would have to pull the fan trim to get to it. I decided on portable instead of roof mount though for my first solar attempt.
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02-02-2015, 09:09 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1989 29' Land Yacht
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,804
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Please some one tell me why anyone would put a panels on the roof.
(1) They leak up there.
(2) They limit where you can park because they need to be in the sun
(3) They are less efficient because they are flat.
(4) The Airstreams I have seen from the factory with panels installed the wire size is to small,ECT. ECT.
(5) The panels are to small.To me you need 180 watts min.
(6) You need them where you can move them around and change the angle so you can get best use of the sun.
(7) Here are photos of the 4 of use here in Quartzsite AZ this AM.Note Pauls camper they are mounted on roof so he has to park this way to do the best he can.That is facing SE.We all have 180 to 200 watt of panels.
(8) There are some portable fold up panels now in the 100 watt range that have controler built on them that you hook right to you batteries.They store EZ so two would work well.
__________________
Live every day as if it is your last one and one day your going to be right.
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02-04-2015, 07:05 PM
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#9
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Living Riveted since 2013
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,210
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Harder to steal when you're not looking?
My brother mounted his solar panels on a rack over the bed of his pickup truck and parks the truck in the sun while his trailer relaxes in the shade. Maybe we should mount panels on our truck cap, as we don't put anything else up there and we have a nice cap with mounting rails on top.
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02-04-2015, 08:43 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
2007 20' Safari SE
2005 19' Safari
Qualicum Beach
, British Columbia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvery Moon
Harder to steal when you're not looking?
My brother mounted his solar panels on a rack over the bed of his pickup truck and parks the truck in the sun while his trailer relaxes in the shade. Maybe we should mount panels on our truck cap, as we don't put anything else up there and we have a nice cap with mounting rails on top.
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That's what I did. Works great!
George
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02-06-2015, 04:05 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
2017 25' International
2014 16' Sport
Cardiff
, California
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 25
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Hey George, forgot to say thanks for the Renogy tip. I ordered their 100w portable suitcase. It's nice and compact and I'm really impressed with the sturdy construction. It was less expensive than other foldable brands. It was even Less expensive than two 45w panels from HF. Bought those first. They were HUGE especially for the low output. Gonna test out the Renogy this weekend. Thanks again.
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02-06-2015, 06:23 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
2007 20' Safari SE
2005 19' Safari
Qualicum Beach
, British Columbia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
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Quote:
Originally Posted by armstrs
Hey George, forgot to say thanks for the Renogy tip. I ordered their 100w portable suitcase. It's nice and compact and I'm really impressed with the sturdy construction. It was less expensive than other foldable brands. It was even Less expensive than two 45w panels from HF. Bought those first. They were HUGE especially for the low output. Gonna test out the Renogy this weekend. Thanks again.
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Let me know how they work for you. My 3 100w panels are performing as per specs. Thinking of adding one more if I can design a different mounting system for my truck cap.
George
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02-06-2015, 07:17 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
2015 16' Sport
Pineola
, North Carolina
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 144
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Quote:
Originally Posted by armstrs
Hey George, forgot to say thanks for the Renogy tip. I ordered their 100w portable suitcase. It's nice and compact and I'm really impressed with the sturdy construction. It was less expensive than other foldable brands. It was even Less expensive than two 45w panels from HF. Bought those first. They were HUGE especially for the low output. Gonna test out the Renogy this weekend. Thanks again.
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Two thumbs up for the Renogy solar suitcase. Very well made and works great. Easy to deploy and track the sun even when trailer is in shade.
__________________
"Certainty on any matter is not one of the human attitudes the Gods admire or tolerate."
A. Cross
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02-06-2015, 07:44 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
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I just finished installing 6 100W panels on my new Classic. Granted, more real estate up there, but on a cost basis you cannot justify the factory install price. Call AM Solar, they are awesome to deal with (this was my second installation of an AM package). Cost of my panels, controller and all connect-up pieces was right at $2K.
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
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02-06-2015, 08:47 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmini
Please some one tell me why anyone would put a panels on the roof.
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Because that's how the trailer was factory built and they work like a charm. Never even think about them. We come up short on battery storage more often than solar supply so that's where, if when our next solar money will be spent.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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02-08-2015, 08:55 PM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
Newport
, Rhode Island
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 130
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I just had colonial Airstream put a 80 watt zamp flat panel on my 2010 16 sport. I have a lifeline 27 battery. I will report back this summer when on my trip out west as to how it worked out. It was 1200 installed.
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02-08-2015, 10:33 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Born2kayak
Would appreciate your opinion regarding installation of a solar panel. Not a lot of available space so probably am looking at a 50 watt panel. Given the estimated cost from the factory of $1000 plus, would this be a wise investment?
Thanks,
Marty
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BAB
I just finished installing 6 100W panels on my new Classic. Granted, more real estate up there, but on a cost basis you cannot justify the factory install price. Call AM Solar, they are awesome to deal with (this was my second installation of an AM package). Cost of my panels, controller and all connect-up pieces was right at $2K.
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Don't forget the cost of additional battery storage capacity to match up with the solar delivery capability ... AGMs at $400+ each ...
We are very happy with the factory solar install ...which includes two upgraded batts to AGMs ... If you are buying / camping on a budget that may be a consideration if you are not doing your own install ... and looking at $90+ / hr for a technician to install. There are also warranty considerations from both AS and the solar equipment manufacturer involved with a self-install.
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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02-10-2015, 05:53 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Excella
Bowie
, Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmini
Please some one tell me why anyone would put a panels on the roof.
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1. They're out of the way, all the time.
2. Less risk of breakage due to handling them.
3. They work even when we're on the road.
4. As mentioned, they're secure - I doubt anyone is going to climb up and steal them.
5. No wires running around the campsite to trip over.
6. One less thing to set up and take down.
7. No worrying about connections that wear out after repeated use.
8. They shade the roof of the camper.
To each their own, and there are drawbacks and benefits to each approach.
__________________
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel
Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
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