This client brought us an RV that was pre-wired for solar with 6-gauge cable, and a 2000W Magnum inverter. They also provided a Yakama rack that they asked us to install the solar panels on. We moved the batteries and inverter to a location better suited to maximize the efficiency of the system without compromising storage space. We installed two SF100W solar panels onto their Yakama rack using AM Solar rocker mounts along with customer provided Yakama SnapAround Roof Rack Mounting Brackets. The result is a one-of-a-kind solar installation job customized exactly how they requested, and designed to fit their specific needs.
5/16/2017 - 2016 Newmar Dutchstar, 44'
This client’s RV was pre-wired by the manufacturer with 6-gauge cables, and an inverter. We installed 960 watts of solar power, which is more than we would recommend for 6-gauge cable, so we had to take additional steps in order to make the system as efficient as possible. With these under-sized cables, voltage would have been lost between the solar panels and the charge controller. We installed the solar panels using series/parallel connections to increase the voltage, reducing the amount of voltage drop to less than 1%, which resulted in increased system performance. This client will be able to run their residential refrigerator without using a generator or shore power.
5/8/2017 - 2003 Holiday Rambler Neptune, 36’
These clients decided to give up their traditional lifestyle, sold most of their belongings, and moved full time into their RV. They also work out of their RV now. We installed 1280 watts of solar power, which allows them to run their air conditioner, washer and dryer, microwave, and anything else they plug into their outlets without being powered by a generator or shore power (for a short period of time). They put as many solar panels on their roof as possible in order to maximize their solar power, and reduced their need to run a generator or connect to shore power.
4/27/2017 - 2016 Airstream Interstate, 33’
This client had us add onto an existing setup consisting of a 2512iXL charge controller core and a set of AGMS. He now has a much more powerful solar charger and a 3000VA inverter capable of running a wide range of loads including a microwave and a coffee maker. The Bluetooth smart dongle allows monitoring of the system to take place wirelessly, with a smart phone.
5/01/2017 - 2013 Newmar Mountain Aire, 40'
In systems with AGM batteries we like to have close to a 1:1 ratio of solar panel watts to battery bank amp-hours. Too little solar, and your batteries won’t get up to a full charge as often as needed for healthy operation. Not enough battery amp-hours, and your charge controller will throttle down the solar input to keep from over charging full batteries which means your panels aren’t fully being utilized. This Class A motorhome hits the sweet spot with 1280W of solar and 1200Ah of battery capacity. (This does not apply to lithium batteries, because lithium batteries don’t need a regular charge. You can install as many amp-hours of lithium batteries as you can afford and it doesn’t matter how much solar you have on your roof.)
4/25/2017 – 2014 Airstream Flying Cloud, 30'
AM Solar installs a wide range of power equipment on RVs which gives us the flexibility to customize our systems to match a wide variety of customer preferences. For example, this customer was familiar with the Bogart Engineering PWM charge controller interface and wanted it on his Airstream. We were able to accommodate, and set him up with 400W of solar on an SC-2030 charge controller.
4/19/2017 2017 Airstream Classic 31'
The narrow dimensions of our SP100 solar panels make them ideal for the curved roofs of Airstreams. Our adjustable mounting feet allow clients choose if they want the panels mounted level or following the contours of the roof. We replaced the Airstream factory charger with a Progressive Dynamics PD9260 for more gentle treatment of the batteries, which increases their lifespan. At 600W, this is one of the largest solar arrays we have installed on an Airstream.
4/7/2017 – 2016 Thor Tuscany XTE, 40’
A powerful 960W solar charging system with an 800Ah AGM battery bank and battery monitor give this motorhome energy independence. When parked for long periods, three of the 160W solar panels can be tilted toward the south to maximize solar production. The Magnum BMK (Battery Monitor Kit) uses a shunt to measure current and communicates battery status to the existing ME-RC50 inverter/charger monitor. The Victron charge controller in the system core conveys solar charging status to a smart phone. Unless these clients need to run their air conditioner for several hours, they won’t have to worry about plugging into shore power.
4/21/2017 - Triple E Regency, 28'
This client wanted an upgraded battery bank with a monitor, inverter and a solar charging system. We installed a Magnum 1000W inverter/charger, 300Ah of AGM batteries and 320W of solar panels. The Victron charge controller and battery monitor use Bluetooth to communicate system status to a smart phone. This should cover fans, lights, entertainment center and a small refrigerator.
4/17/2017 – 2006 Fleetwood Revolution, 41'
4/21/2017 - Fleet Truck Camper
Our 100W Victron complete charger kit is ideal for small installations like this. You can expand up to 200W and the robust, marine rated, MPPT charge controller is ideal for a wide range of applications from boats and campers to gate openers and security systems. The Bluetooth communication dongle reports system status to a smart phone without the need to mount a meter. If you only want one or two panels, this is the way to go.
4/13/2017 - 2014 Scamp
When our installation schedule permits, we occasionally take on small solar trouble shooting projects. This client came to us with an old solar charging system that wasn’t working properly (Not one of our jobs) and asked us what we could do to make it work. We remounted the solar panel, changed out his cabling and connected his charge controller. A system this size will maintain his batteries when the trailer isn’t in use.
4/12/2017 - 2016 Itasca Navion 24J, 24'
This client needed a small solar charging system for DC loads and battery maintenance with a battery monitor to help them regulate energy consumption. What they got was a solar panel kit consisting of two of our SF100 solar panels connected in parallel with our roof mount combiner box. To reduce DC line losses, heavy 6ga wire was routed from the combiner box to the MPPT charge controller and then to the battery bank. Between the most negative battery and all negative connections, we installed a shunt to measure current. The shunt and the charge controller communicate with the Blue Sky IPN Pro monitor to give full system status with Amp-hour precision.
3/30/2017 - Arctic Fox Cab Over Camper
We get several Cab Over Camper projects each year. This particular camper will have ample power for a variety of DC loads. The 320W solar charger will keep the 220Ah AGM battery bank healthy for many years.
4/3/2017 - 2008 Defender Toy Hauler
This client scheduled a troubleshoot because his old Heliotrope PV controller wasn't functioning very well. He had suspected it had gotten damaged by moisture. After an inspection, our techs determined it was time for an upgrade. He went with a Victron Blue Solar MPPT 100/30 charge controller and bluetooth monitoring. It was a pretty straightforward swap out.
3/29/17 - 2016 Airstream Interstate Grand Tour, 25.5'
This tech savvy client wanted a solar charging system with a battery monitor, and they wanted to be able to communicate with all of it over Bluetooth with a smart phone. The 300W of solar panels will generate approximately 900Wh or 75Ah of energy per day.
3/30/2017 - 2015 Wind River Trailer, 32'
This rig came to us with a factory solar pre-wire that was completely inadequate for the client’s power requirements. We replaced the pre-wire with a much thicker set of 4ga cables and we replaced the factory PWM charge controller with a 40A MPPT controller. Now the rig has 480W of solar, a new 300Ah battery bank and an advanced three stage charger.
3/15/2017 - 2014 Newmar Baystar, 28'
It is surprising that after being in the RV solar installation business for as long as we have that we still make regular discoveries regarding odd factoring wiring/components or cable routing challenges. Despite these obstacles we are still able to deliver. This client for example, with five 160W solar panels will now be able run a residential refrigerator and power an entertainment center. The Tri-Metric monitor will allow them to view battery status down to the amp-hour and the Bluetooth dongle will send solar charging system data to a smart phone.
3/8/2017 - 2000 Monaco Imperial, 40'
With a 640W solar charging system, this client can now run a residential refrigerator, lights and some TV usage from energy captured by the solar panels. As a part of the system core that we regularly install, the client will also be able to monitor their battery bank and determine remaining charge to the Amp-hour.
3/22/2017 - 2008 Roadtrek P170, 14'
Roadtreks and other van conversions make up a large percentage of the RV install side of our business. The client got a 300W solar charging system which can feed about 75Ah/day onto the 220Ah AGM battery bank via a Blue Sky MPPT charge controller. To keep the starter battery topped off, we also included a Trik-L-Start, which lets a small amount of current flow from the house battery bank.