Solar tutorial needed

[Soonersalt]

I'm looking at a few used airstream trailers, one with a factory installed solar recharging system (of which I have little detail) and another without. Im wondering if someone could give me some general cost of different systems. In truth I know very little about them other than they are useful under the right conditions to minimize generator use. Is there a typical size of solar system placed on factory installed airstreams (ie 2017 International model) and what would that cost have been? Or is this variable depending on the buyers wishes. I have ran through enough forum posts to see systems all the way from 100 watt to 800 watt. If I was to buy a used airstream without solar, would $4000 cover a typical install of a say a Zamp 400 watt system. Lastly, would a factory install be expandable to say 400 watt? Sorry for my ignorance, but any thoughts would be appreciated.

[AirMiles]

If you are handy, you can self install a better than factory system for about $2000. For that price, I self installed four 100W panels on a 2017 25' Airstream and describe my system with pictures of the installation throughout this thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...ll-181608.html . Also, many others shared pictures and descriptions of their installations on this thread.

[Soonersalt]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

If you are handy, you can self install a better than factory system for about $2000. For that price, I self installed four 100W panels on a 2017 25' Airstream and describe my system with pictures of the installation throughout this thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...ll-181608.html . Also, many others shared pictures and descriptions of their installations on this thread.

Hello Airmiles:
Ive seen several of you posts on your solar system the past few days and a very impressive and thorough testing you have done on this install. While I consider myself moderately handy, not much when it comes to electronics. Your system looks awesome. Would you guess another $2000 to have someone install the same system as yours?

[GMFL]

Airstreams factory systems are typically very basic. (80 to 160 watts) at most. You can install bigger and better for cheaper if you install it yourself. It’s not for everybody but can be done with careful planning and basic skills.
Here is my blog post on my system. Feel free to ask questions.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/blog...-install-2959/
Read through my blog there are other posts on the install of the Victron battery monitor

[AirMiles]

I would contact AM Solar https://amsolar.com/ I believe they quoted me under $5,000 total for parts and labor to install my 400W of Solar at their shop in Oregon. They were not going to use the factory prewire but rather add a new rooftop box and 6 gauge wire to the Victron controller. Since I was planning a trip to Oregon anyway, I scheduled the installation with them.

Before the trip, I decided to buy all the parts from AM Solar and attempt to install the 400W on the factory prewire with the agreement that they would finish the installation, if needed, at an hourly rate. After self installing the system and testing it on my way to their shop, I learned that my installation performed well and I did not need their assistance. They are very easy to work with and willing to just sell the parts at a fair price with self-installation assistance, or completely install the system if desired. I'm glad I self installed the system. It was not that difficult on my 2017 with the Zamp rooftop box and now I know exactly how it works and how to maintain it.

[Soonersalt]

GMFL I checked your post I was able to see where the wire entered the trailer from the exterior, the panels on top and some beginning work on the inside. It ended with the following pics. Was there more? I kept thinking there might be more to the progress. Didn't see any comments either

[JMynes]

I installed a 200 watt system using the factory pre-wire for a grand total of $756.82.
That includes connectors, wire, aluminum for making the mounts, nuts, bolts, panels, Trimetric controller and battery monitor, VHB tape and Sikaflex. I could easily add another panel or two for basically the cost of the panels.
Doing it yourself is not that hard.

[Soonersalt]

How much do you think a factory install of 160 watts would have cost in 2017. If it was already present, would there be any opportunity to improve its power, or would it be better to replace all components?
Also, have Airstreams been prewired for solar for a long period of time, like 2014 maybe?

GMFL I see my pic didn't come through on my post trying that again here. I'm wondering if I received the entire content of the blog

[AirMiles]

Factory solar was several thousand dollars in 2017 I believe, but I never seriously considered it. With my solar experience, I would not pay extra for a used Airstream with factory solar because I would replace all of its components. I would want four matching solar panels on my roof. I would want a quality solar charge controller. I would need more battery storage. I need all of my 400W frequently, especially in the winter or on overcast days.

The only value of factory solar to me would be as a battery tender while parked in my dry storage location. I only use 120WH per day in storage and the factory system could easily maintain that. As a rule of thumb, one can get three to four times their panels wattage in watt hours each day. The factory system is capable of 160W times three, or 480 WH of production. That’s about 40 AH per day ( 480WH divided by 12V ). That would not meet my average day of power usage.

Today I’m dry camping near Naples Florida. There are passing showers and it’s overcast. I have only generated 411WH of solar output at 1:00 pm with my 400W of solar. Luckily we did not need heat last night, so our batteries are bulking at 13.62V right now. I’m planning on watching the NASCAR race tonight using my inverter and TV. It’s going to be tight on battery capacity. If I had the factory solar and batteries, I would be running the generator. But my 400W is replacing enough amp hours to avoid running the generator. Once in a while the sun pops out and my system peaked at 411W and 30A of production! I sure could use an hour of full sun!

[AirMiles]

Wow, I just set a record 434W of solar production when the sun popped out of the overcast with my 400W of solar panels. Here is a picture documenting this. I also just hit absorption charge phase. I may get fully charged batteries today even with the overcast and rainy conditions.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by Soonersalt

How much do you think a factory install of 160 watts would have cost in 2017. If it was already present, would there be any opportunity to improve its power, or would it be better to replace all components?
Also, have Airstreams been prewired for solar for a long period of time, like 2014 maybe?

GMFL I see my pic didn't come through on my post trying that again here. I'm wondering if I received the entire content of the blog

Yes there is a commentary along with the photos.

Here is another link.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/blog...-install-2959/

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

Today I’m dry camping near Naples Florida. There are passing showers and it’s overcast. I have only generated 411WH of solar output at 1:00 pm with my 400W of solar. Luckily we did not need heat last night, so our batteries are bulking at 13.62V right now. I’m planning on watching the NASCAR race tonight using my inverter and TV. It’s going to be tight on battery capacity. If I had the factory solar and batteries, I would be running the generator. But my 400W is replacing enough amp hours to avoid running the generator. Once in a while the sun pops out and my system peaked at 411W and 30A of production! I sure could use an hour of full sun!

Just started Float status at 3:45 pm with my 400W system on a rainy and overcast day, meaning my batteries are fully charged. Even though I didn’t use heat last night, I just had enough wattage to get fully charged in these conditions. Less than 400W would not have achieved float today and I would have needed to run the generator. This was a perfect example of why I would not place much value on the factory solar and would replace all the components if I had it. It took 830WH of production to achieve float status - more than five times the wattage of the factory system. It would be difficult for the factory system to achieve float, needing 830WH, even on a perfectly sunny day.

I did have the radio and fantastic fans on all day plus typical dry camping useage.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by Soonersalt

How much do you think a factory install of 160 watts would have cost in 2017.

I try to keep extensive notes on pricing for future negotiations.
I went back and looked at my notes....
Dealer cost on the solar package was $1675.00
Retail cost on the solar package was $2200.00

So I was told by TAMPA RV One in early 2018.