Airstream Trailers
Airstream trailer solar power systems are unique in several ways:
A curved roof requires specialized mounting hardware.
Limited roof space requires narrow solar panels.
An external battery box limits the size of battery banks or requires the battery bank to be relocated.
Solar pre-wires are frequently factored into the design.
The step-by-step guide below takes you through the myriad of options and design considerations for developing a custom Airstream solar system.
Educational Videos for Airstreams
Join Garret and James as they discuss a full power system upgrade and solar installation on a 2023 Airstream Globetrotter 27FBQ. Learn about the various components that will be installed, the solar installation process, ideal system placement, and how it all works.
Asa demonstrates how to install solar panels using Am Solar’s 35mm Rocker Foot Mount Set on an Airstream roof. There are a few tips and tricks to consider when installing solar panels on an airstream roof with VHB, this video details those as well as other layout and install considerations.
Garret and Kyle demonstrate how to route cable from the roof to the interior of an Airstream RV. DIYers putting solar panels on their roof will need to get the wire through the roof to their other system components. This video also shows the process of the AM Solar Roof Combiner Box installation.
This video is the first in a series detailing the installation of an extremely elaborate AM Solar Airstream International power system. This power system features a large 24V Victron Smart Lithium battery bank with dual Victron Smart Solar MPPT charge controllers regulating 866W of roof and 2300W of ground based folding Zamp panels. The inverter/charger is a Victron Quattro 24/5000 and an Orion converter powers 12V loads. This video covers the first phase of installation, basic specifications, and component placement.
Cody demonstrates how this particular Airstream system works. It has a 400W array of Zamp Solar Obsidian panels (not shown), 600Ah of lithium batteries, a Victron Cerbo, Victron Touch 50 Monitor, Victron Multiplus 3000 Inverter/Charger, Victron 50A MPPT, and a Victron Smart. This system also has AM Solar panel mounts, an AM Solar roof combiner box, and an AM Solar Smart Phase Selector (SPS) (patent pending)(not shown).
This 24V system was a lot of fun and our installation team nailed it. Check out the specs that allow this customer to run Air Conditioners for multiple hours. The Victron battery bank is 24V 800Ah (equivalent to 12V 1600Ah). It has an 800W solar roof array of Zamp Solar Obsidian panels. It also has 3 Victron Orions, a 24V Victron Quattro 5000W inverter/charger, and a Watchdog surge protector. It's using an AM Solar Smart Phase Selector (SPS), an AM Solar Roof Combiner box and AM Solar panel mounting hardware.
Mitchell shows us this newly installed huge 24V system on a 50A Airstream. The Victron Energy battery bank has 800Ah of 24V, which is equivalent to 1600Ah of 12V. We installed 800W of Zamp Solar Obsidian panels, a 30A MPPT charge controller, a Cerbo, the new Touch 70 display, DC to DC converter Orion 24V to 12V, and so much more. Because of the 2 Air Conditioners on this system, we also installed an Easy Start kit for both. It also has an AM Solar roof combiner box, an AM Solar SPS (Smart Phase Selector), and a Watchdog Surge Protector.
Our installation team consists of electrical artists. Check out this sweet system and its clean installation. We'll set you up with an autonomous power system that works for you and your mobile needs.
Specs:
Lifeblue battery bank 400Ah
700W Zamp Solar Obsidian panels
Victron Multiplus 12V 3000W inverter/charger
Victron Smart Shunt Victron Cerbo Victron Touch 50 Monitor AM Solar Smart Phase Selector (SPS) AM Solar Roof Combiner box AM Solar panel mounting hardware
Check out The More We Explore’s YouTube series on DIY solar install!
1. Select a battery bank: The battery bank is the heart of the system. We recommend LifeBlue lithium batteries because of their built-in Bluetooth monitoring, high quality, and ability to expand over time. If you can relocate your battery box under a bed or bench, you won’t be limited to two batteries.
We sell LifeBlue batteries as a base kit, which includes one battery, a Victron BMV-712 battery monitor, cable, lugs, and heat shrink, plus expansion kits, which include one battery and parallel cables. For two batteries, select one base kit and one expansion kit. If you want three batteries, get one base kit and two expansion kits.
LifeBlue batteries come in three size configurations, choose what will fit best for your application.
100Ah: H 9.4" x W 12.5" x D 6.5" 28lbs
200Ah: H 10.8" x W 20" x D 6.9" 57lbs
300Ah: H 9.5" x W 20.25" x D 11" 83lbs
When you upgrade to lithium, you will need to replace your existing converter (likely a WFCO brand device) with something that is lithium compatible. Scroll down to step 4 for details on this.
If your plan is to run an air conditioner, support a 3000VA inverter, or have more than two batteries you will need to move your lithium battery system inside.
Do not let your lithium batteries get below -10° F. Lithium batteries will not charge below 32° F.
Estimated Installation Labor
200Ah LifeBlue Lithium System with BMV-712
10 hours / $1,450
This is a complete LifeBlue lithium RV battery base kit with a Victron BMV-712 Bluetooth battery monitor. The monitor is included to provide cumulative battery bank data, compatible with Victron VRM monitoring. When expanding the battery bank, do not mix battery models and limit the battery bank to four batteries.
This kit is designed to be an add-on to an existing LifeBlue battery system.
For larger systems, Victron lithium batteries are recommended because of their extremely compact footprint. Or, if you only need one battery, a monitor is not required for single LifeBlue battery.
2. Establish Tow Vehicle Compatibility: A 7-pin tow vehicle connection won’t allow for high current alternator charging, but you can get about 18A when you use a Victron Orion DC/DC charger on the trailer side of the connector. Another advantage of this kit is that it will prevent unwanted current flow from the trailer to the tow vehicle’s starter battery. This kit is not necessary with Flooded or AGM batteries.
With most tow vehicles and Airstream travel trailers, the 7-pin connector allows alternator charging of the trailer’s battery bank. The trailer's seven-pin connector is typically hardwired leaving the tow vehicle responsible for charging the two battery systems. Unfortunately, many vehicles don't have any protection built-in, which leaves both battery banks tied together when the trailer is plugged in. This is a major concern for lithium house batteries as their resting voltage is much higher than a typical tow vehicle engine battery. This causes the lithium battery to slowly discharge into the tow vehicle battery and because lead-acid batteries can dissipate energy in the form of heat, this will continue to happen until the lithium battery is below 20%, which could potentially cause damage to the lithium battery. This isn't good for the system and can be avoided by installing this kit or simply unplugging the trailer when left for more than a week.
This article on high current alternator charging may be interesting:
High Current Alternator Charging and the 7-Pin Connector
Estimated Installation Labor
Tow Vehicle Compatibility
1.5 hours / $218
Enable DC/DC charging from your alternator to a secondary Lithium, AGM, or Flooded battery bank. This kit is ideal for systems with older alternators or lithium batteries with input current limits under 100A.
Ideal for: Trailers/5th Wheels/Truck Campers
*Please note that cables length needs may vary by application. Please email info@amsolar.com if you would like to customize the cable lengths to better suit your needs.
3a. Design a solar charging system utilizing a factory pre-wire: If your Airstream trailer has one of the various “solar pre-wire” options, these can save a lot of time and money during an installation, but due to the thin (8ga or 10ga) cable, you will be limited to about 300W of solar panels. If this isn’t enough, skip down to section 3b. Otherwise, here are our recommendations.
A Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/20 or 100/30 charge controller can be installed along the pre-wire. Use the 100/20 model if you don’t plan on adding portable panels. Because these solar charge controller products use Bluetooth, and have no display, they do not need to be mounted in a visible location, and should be installed as close to the batteries as possible.
Victron charge controllers usually sense ambient temperature to allow for temperature compensated charging. With an Airstream external battery box, it will be very difficult to mount the solar controller with the batteries. Because of this, we recommend a Bluetooth temp sensor to network with the charge controller. If you have a Victron BMV-712 with a temp sensor, or lithium batteries, you will not need this device.
If you plan on using a portable panel, the 30A charge controller gives you enough extra capacity to route any side ports to the input of the charge controller, enabling all solar charging to be controller on one device.
Estimated Installation Labor
3x 90W on 30A Controller with Pre-wire
9 hours / $1,305
Using the latest, fastest technology, SmartSolar charge controllers maximize energy-harvest by driving current intelligently to achieve a full charge in the shortest possible time. SmartSolar charge controllers offer easy programing of charging profiles to match all battery chemistries using the VictronConnect Bluetooth app.
Type: MPPT
Current Rating: 20A
Max Array Isc: 20A
Maximum Wattage: 300W
Temp Sense: Ambient, Bluetooth
Display: MPPT Control, Color Control, Built-in BlueTooth
Programming: Preset Options, Bluetooth, MPPT Control
Dimensions: H 2.5" x W 5.2" x D 3.8"
Using the latest, fastest technology, SmartSolar charge controllers maximize energy-harvest by driving current intelligently to achieve a full charge in the shortest possible time. SmartSolar charge controllers offer easy programing of charging profiles to match all battery chemistries using the VictronConnect Bluetooth app.
Type: MPPT
Current Rating: 30A
Max Array Isc: 35A
Maximum Wattage: 450W
Temp Sense: Ambient, Bluetooth Sensor
Display: MPPT Control, Color Control, Built-in BlueTooth
Programming: Preset Options, Bluetooth, MPPT Control
Dimensions: H 4.7" x W 7.4" x D 2.9"
Read the voltage and temperature of a battery via Bluetooth on a smart phone. This device can also communicate with Victron SmartSolar charge controllers to send temperature data when the charge controller cannot be installed near the battery bank.
Add panel kits ending in SAE connectors if you have a Zamp combiner box in your prewire.
Use SikaFlex sealant for the mount feet on an Airstream roof. You can also add portable panels. If you want to use a portable panel, we recommend oversizing the central charge controller so it can handle both the roof array and the portable panel.
3b. Design a solar charging system without utilizing a prewire: If you want more than 300W of solar or don’t have a factory pre-wire, here are our recommendations. These options will require you to make a roof penetration and route a cable down the back of a closet. This isn’t nearly as challenging as it sounds, and you can watch a video on the procedure here.
For a complete explanation of everything you would want to know about how to design a solar charging system, check out our Solar Charger Design Guide.
These solar charging kits use the AM Solar combiner box and give you everything you need to create a solar charging system.
30A Kit - Ideal for four roof-mounted panels with no portables, or two roof-mounted panels with a portable.
50A Kit - This is the most popular option and is ideal for six panels.
85A Kit - This is the deluxe option, ideal for maxed out roofs.
The Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controllers are compatible with any battery type, can work on 12V or 24V battery systems, and communicate status via Bluetooth.
Estimated Installation Labor
4x 100W on a 50A Controller
17 hours / $2,465
Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 450W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades.
Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 700W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades, Panel(s) can be tilted
Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 1200W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades, Panel(s) can be tilted
Add solar panel kits ending in Cable and get one tube of SikaFlex for every three panels.
4. Select an Inverter/Charger System: The Victron Multiplus inverter/chargers combine an inverter and a charger in one unit. They also offer PowerAssist, which means that they can combine shore power with battery power when necessary. Our kits come with everything you need to upgrade an Airstream trailer.
For an Airstream trailer, you will want kit variants that include the phrase “RV Upgrade Kit”. If your Airstream has a 50A AC panel, you will want the Multiplus-II.
In order to fully support the 3000VA inverter, you will need a battery bank that can handle 300A of current outflow or three LifeBlue batteries. A 3000VA will work on a smaller battery bank, but will only work like a 2000VA inverter if only two batteries are used.
If you plan on running an air conditioner, you will need the 3000VA inverter system with an Easy Start kit.
Estimated Installation Labor
Multiplus Inverter (Empty Shell Kit)
17 hours / $2,465
The MultiPlus is a powerful true sine wave inverter, a sophisticated battery charger that features adaptive charge technology and a high-speed AC transfer switch in a single compact enclosure. Rated at 3000VA.
Note: Some Keurig coffee makers are known to be incompatible with inverters. In some cases, this will just result in a loud buzzing noise while operating, and in other cases, it will result in inverter overload and failure to operate. This doesn't mean your inverter will be damaged or that trying to use your coffee maker is dangerous; however, AM Solar cannot support compatibility issues resulting from a Keurig coffee maker. We recommend doing some research and purchasing a different coffee maker if you find yours to be incompatible with your inverter system.
If you have a 50A coach, we recommend looking into our MultiPlus-II 12/3000/2x 120V VE.Bus Inverter/Charger kits for 50A coaches.
Please note there is currently a nation-wide shortage of Duplex AC breakers (primarily 15/20). Our kits are designed to include these, but we may need to make substitutions due to stock level. Please email info@amsolar.com if you have any questions about this.
Steady State: 2400W
Surge: 6000W
Voltage Output: 120V AC
Voltage Input: 9.5-17V
No Load Draw: 8-20W
Waveform: Pure Sine
Frequency: 60hz
Charger: 120A
Passthrough: 50A
Efficiency: 93%
Dimensions: H 14.3" x W 10.2" x D 8.6"
Extra: PowerAssist
For use with 50A coaches, the MultiPlus-II is a powerful true sine wave inverter, a sophisticated battery charger that features adaptive charge technology, and a high-speed AC transfer switch in a single compact enclosure. Rated at 3000VA.
Note: Some Keurig coffee makers are known to be incompatible with inverters. In some cases, this will just result in a loud buzzing noise while operating, and in other cases, it will result in inverter overload and failure to operate. This doesn't mean your inverter will be damaged or that trying to use your coffee maker is dangerous; however, AM Solar cannot support compatibility issues resulting from a Keurig coffee maker. We recommend doing some research and purchasing a different coffee maker if you find yours to be incompatible with your inverter system.
Steady State: 2400W
Surge: 6000W
Voltage Output: 120V AC
Voltage Input: 9.5-17V
No Load Draw: 8-20W
Waveform: Pure Sine
Frequency: 60hz
Charger: 120A
Passthrough: 2x50A
Efficiency: 93%
Dimensions: H 22.7" x W 10.8" x D 5.4" (48lbs)
Extra: PowerAssist
For smaller Airstream trailers, the Multiplus 2000VA is popular choice, as well as a standalone 1200W inverter with a separate charger.
5. Optional components and tools: You may consider including these items in your purchase.
Tools - Make sure you have something equivalent to everything on the top row of this page.
Tech Support - Each kit comes with a set amount of free tech support, if you feel you may exceed that, you can purchase more here.
PreConfigured Complete System Examples (Obsolete kits)
- 2x 90W Solar Panels with mounts and wire harnesses
- 15A Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller with Bluetooth Communication
- Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth Communication
- 2x Lifeline 220Ah AGM 6V Batteries
- 800W Victron Phoenix pure sine inverter with AC outlet
- Lugs, heat shrink, cables, etc. All included
- $5,900 when installed by AM Solar with an estimated 25 hours of labor
- 4x 100W Zamp solar panels with mounts and wire harnesses
- 30A Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller with Bluetooth communication
- Victron BMV-712 battery monitor with Bluetooth communication
- 200Ah lithium drop-in batteries
- Low current alternator charging
- 2000VA Victron Multiplus pure sine inverter / 80A charger with hybrid 30A shore power
- Sub panel with multiple breakers and AC outlet
- $12,230 when installed by AM Solar with an estimated 46 hours of labor
- 6x 100W Solar Panels with mounts and wire harnesses
- 50A Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller with Bluetooth Communication
- Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth Communication
- 600Ah Lithium System with AMS V4 Victron battery protections
- 3000VA Victron Multiplus pure sine inverter / 120A charger with hybrid 50A shore power and Smart Transfer switch
- $23,850 when installed by AM Solar with an estimated 80 hours of labor