20FB - additional solar panels on roof

[AndyG]

Question for those 20FB owners who have added solar panels to their roof (either supplementing the factory-installed single panel, or added their own panels):

What size and quantity of panels did you end up going with?
And what method did you use to mount them? (drilling vs using industrial adhesive and dicor sealant)

Thx!

[dcgod]

Originally Posted by AndyG

Question for those 20FB owners who have added solar panels to their roof (either supplementing the factory-installed single panel, or added their own panels):

What size and quantity of panels did you end up going with?
And what method did you use to mount them? (drilling vs using industrial adhesive and dicor sealant)

Thx!

I can't follow this massively long thread. ;-)

I'm also curious about this. Just ordered a 22' 20FB and will definitely want to add more than a 90w panel. Have you made any progress on your addition?

[vanderwielen]

Andy, did you ever get the answer to your question?

[OutdoorIdaho]

I have a 19' Caravel and mounted 2 90W Zamp panels that I obtained from AMSolar using their feet and the adhesive they supply. I have room for a third but do not anticipate needing it.

[dcgod]

Originally Posted by OutdoorIdaho

I have a 19' Caravel and mounted 2 90W Zamp panels that I obtained from AMSolar using their feet and the adhesive they supply. I have room for a third but do not anticipate needing it.

Good to know. I actually ended up getting a 2017 Serenity 19' and was looking at adding another 90W Zamp. Now that Zamp was bought out, where did you pick up the panel? Do you have any install photos?

[turk123]

I had two more panels added to my Classic 30 for a total of five. I actually had Jackson center add them for me. They used Dicor, I believe, as the "gobs" of goo around the feet of the mounting frame are quite large and probably not just covering screws. If you have the 3 connector boxes from Zamp that Airstream uses on the roof, get "Y" connectors from Zamp to split the three ports into 6 ports. The wiring gauge that Zamp (and Airstream) uses will support six panels.

[Shiny16]

If you plan on installing them yourself Zamp has some awesome deals on b stock panels. They are all rated the same. Just minor cosmetic issues.

[AndyG]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I managed to fit 2 additional zamp 90’s that matched the existing factory single. I scooped up 2 of their blemish panels and they work great, and I saved some $ as well. I used 3m tape, sikaflex (sp?) and dicor sealant to attach them. No issues so far.

I also managed to snag 2 battleborn lithium’s during their recent ‘blemish sale’. They fit into the existing battery box, which was convenient. I’ll probably move them under the bed at some point when I have time.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by AndyG

Thanks for the replies everyone. I managed to fit 2 additional zamp 90’s that matched the existing factory single. I scooped up 2 of their blemish panels and they work great, and I saved some $ as well. I used 3m tape, sikaflex (sp?) and dicor sealant to attach them. No issues so far.

I also managed to snag 2 battleborn lithium’s during their recent ‘blemish sale’. They fit into the existing battery box, which was convenient. I’ll probably move them under the bed at some point when I have time.

They also have the 45s on sale for 75 bucks. Basically half of the 90 long. They work great for fitting into tight roof real estate such as my 16.

[dcgod]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

They also have the 45s on sale for 75 bucks. Basically half of the 90 long. They work great for fitting into tight roof real estate such as my 16.

Where? I’ve been looking and see neither of those deals. I did pickup a couple 100mah battleborns though during their sale but have yet to find anything but back order items at Zamp.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by dcgod

Where? I’ve been looking and see neither of those deals. I did pickup a couple 100mah battleborns though during their sale but have yet to find anything but back order items at Zamp.

Go the Zamp site and search b stock.

[ShawnSk]

I bought one of these. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082PK6X67...p_mob_ap_share
Fit perfectly to right side of air-conditioning. Drilled and sealed.
Looking at the link I used the long skinny 70w panel, but I don't see it as an option anymore

[dcgod]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

Go the Zamp site and search b stock.

Perfect. Ordered a couple 75s. Thank you!

[Iron Buckeye]

Originally Posted by AndyG

Thanks for the replies everyone. I managed to fit 2 additional zamp 90’s that matched the existing factory single. I scooped up 2 of their blemish panels and they work great, and I saved some $ as well. I used 3m tape, sikaflex (sp?) and dicor sealant to attach them. No issues so far.

I also managed to snag 2 battleborn lithium’s during their recent ‘blemish sale’. They fit into the existing battery box, which was convenient. I’ll probably move them under the bed at some point when I have time.

Greetings everyone. New member here. My fiancé and I are still waiting for our 20FB to arrive and we're trying to make some plans (mostly budgeting and getting a few things ordered). We're still trying to understand what the maximum number of solar panels we'll be able to get on the roof of a 20FB is. Our dealer said the max was 2 but I've seen some here say they managed to get up to 3. Does anyone have a photo of their roof -- either with or without solar panels installed?

[weismans]

Hi Shiny 16. Where did you place the 45? I presume you also have the factory 90?

Also what compressor fridge did you get. I'm working on replacing my absorption with a novacool 3800. Did you have any cabinet adjustments? Did you add any additional foam panel insulation?

[cobrawine]

Originally Posted by Iron Buckeye

Greetings everyone. New member here. My fiancé and I are still waiting for our 20FB to arrive and we're trying to make some plans (mostly budgeting and getting a few things ordered). We're still trying to understand what the maximum number of solar panels we'll be able to get on the roof of a 20FB is. Our dealer said the max was 2 but I've seen some here say they managed to get up to 3. Does anyone have a photo of their roof -- either with or without solar panels installed?

Here is a pic of our roof...this is a 22fb. Even w 270W of solar not worth it without upgrade to lithium. We tried it w the AMGs 1st but could only make it 1.5 days boondocking.

[Iron Buckeye]

Thank you Cobrawine! This is just what I was looking for.

[AndyG]

Originally Posted by Iron Buckeye

Greetings everyone. New member here. My fiancé and I are still waiting for our 20FB to arrive and we're trying to make some plans (mostly budgeting and getting a few things ordered). We're still trying to understand what the maximum number of solar panels we'll be able to get on the roof of a 20FB is. Our dealer said the max was 2 but I've seen some here say they managed to get up to 3. Does anyone have a photo of their roof -- either with or without solar panels installed?

Here's a pic of our 2021 20FB. I added 2 additional panels (and lithium) for a total of 3 90-watt panels. Since there are only 3 total pre-wired ports on the roof, you can only add 2 more panels if you have the single factory panel.

Airstream, for some odd reason, puts the single factory panel almost in the middle of the roof. If they placed it more forward, or more to the rear, you possibly could fit a 4th panel on there. However, it would be more work since you'd have to add additional solar ports to the roof.

With those 3 panels and 2 Battleborn lithiums we have what seems to be endless power. We added a 2.5" lift as well and now we have quite the boondocking setup. We're very pleased with how it turned out.