Question, if you are using with your solar on top of your airstream, and both are in the sun, will it charge you batteries quicker?
@airgear
Жыл бұрын
Hi William - we address the issue of how portable and rooftop solar work together in our blog: www.airgear.store/blogs/airstream-life-store-blog/can-you-use-portable-solar-if-you-already-have-rooftop-solar
@jclorden
Ай бұрын
I have 270 Watts of Solar on the roof of my flying cloud and 200 amp hours of Battleborn batteries. I have added a Victron 500/50 shunt inside the trailer. I feel like I could use the additional solar, but I don’t think that the wiring from the Zamp port will reach the shunt. This won’t affect the charger, but I guess I’d need to reset the shunt once the batteries are fully charged since it won’t read the wattage moving into the battery from this panel. Not sure there is an easy solution.
@airgear
Ай бұрын
There may not be an easy solution in your case, since you've already installed the shunt, but the correct approach is to physically locate the Victron shunt at the batteries. All negative loads should go through the shunt, and this is the easiest way to be sure. Then it's simply a matter of attaching the negative wire from the solar port to the shunt with the rest of the loads.
@bewietharn
5 ай бұрын
If I purchase this with the zamp plug for my 2020 airstream, does the kit also include an adapter (7 way plug I think you call it) to allow me to use the same panels to charge an Anker C1000 power station?
@airgear
5 ай бұрын
We do offer a 7-way adapter as an add-on to the Portable Solar Kit, but you would only need one if you do not have a solar port, which your 2020 Airstream already has. We designed this kit to charge Airstream batteries and don't recommend it be used to charge a portable power station.
@scottydudley5700
7 ай бұрын
I have a solar panel on my 2001 Classic, with a control panel in the right. No zamp. If I use the 7way plug adapter, how will that interface with the onboard solar? Thanks
@airgear
6 ай бұрын
Apologies for the delayed reply. Our portable solar kit does not interface with the on board solar system, and has its own charge controller. The advantage is that you add inexpensive capacity without worrying about compatibility with whichever system you already have. Hope this helps.
@MARSSIVPilot
10 ай бұрын
Considering purchasing a Tradewind. Do I even need the controller if the RV is already equipped with one for the solar on the roof? Seems redundant...? I would expect that the trailer being prewired for external solar panels as well it's feeding into the onboard/resident controller anyway. Thanks!
@airgear
10 ай бұрын
You will still need the charge controller for any portable solar kit. The solar port on an Airstream is wired directly to the battery and requires its own charge controller.
@MARSSIVPilot
10 ай бұрын
@@airgear Just glanced at the Tradewind owner's manual/wiring diagram. Sure appears that way (directly to the battery)... Appreciate the reply!
@MARSSIVPilot
10 ай бұрын
@@airgear It's further spelled out specifically in the manual (in case anyone else was wondering) "Portable solar panel kits MUST include a solar controller set to a Lithium profile and cannot have an output of more than 15 amps." Well that's that... ! ;)
@kelpdive
11 ай бұрын
I have a 2016 airstream 27’ flying cloud. I don’t have the Zamp plug in. Can I dyi the addition of that plug?
@airgear
11 ай бұрын
If you don't have the solar port, all you need to do is purchase a 7-way plug adapter, like the one we sell as an add-on to the kit. More details here: www.airgear.store/products/portable-solar-kit
@scottydudley5700
7 ай бұрын
Oops, forgot to mention - we only have 2 AGM batteries. Can I benefit from more solar? Would I only use it boondocking or would it add (or interfere) with shore power-or do not use with shore power🤔
@airgear
7 ай бұрын
Scott- we'll answer both of your questions in this comment. 1) if you use the 7-way adapter to connect a portable solar system, it will complement your rooftop installation - but it will do so independently, through the portable system's charge controller. So, you'll have two sets of solar panels charging the batteries, but the systems operate independently. 2) Can you benefit from more solar if you have 2 AGM batteries? It depends. How much solar capacity do you have on the roof? Where do you typically camp? How much power do you use? Example: if you boondock primarily in the Pacific Northwest, you'll likely benefit from having a supplement of portable panels. But if you travel mostly to places with a lot of sun, your rooftop installation might be just fine. Also, if you find yourself often running out of battery when camping with your rooftop installation, you'll most likely benefit from adding portable solar, since the rooftop installation is not generating enough power. Also, and honest evaluation of how much power you use when boondocking will help you - are you using the inverter a lot? Running the furnace because you like to cold weather camping? Hope this gives you food for thought. Happy camping!
@airgear
7 ай бұрын
Forgot your last question. You only need to use portable solar to charge the batteries, when you're camping someplace unplugged. You don't use it when connected to shore power.
@blairM363
Жыл бұрын
How many of these solar panels kits can you attach at once?
@airgear
Жыл бұрын
Just 1 kit. The solar plug on the Airstream is rated for a maximum of 200 watts.
@LeeH-Ranger83
Жыл бұрын
AirGear - What is the name of the mobile app that Brad mentions in this video?
@airgear
Жыл бұрын
It's called ETA Solar and you will find it in the App Store or GooglePlay Store.
@LeeH-Ranger83
Жыл бұрын
@@airgear - thank you.
@rhettherring4846
6 ай бұрын
Is the controller waterproof?
@airgear
5 ай бұрын
Yes, it's water resistant. It's made to be left outside.
@asmonkeypod576
Жыл бұрын
Any chance they can sell just the MPPT Solar Charge Controller? I have the panels, and just need this additional piece!
@airgear
Жыл бұрын
We do not sell this component separately and unfortunately don't have a resource to refer you to.
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