New Solar System

[markchengr]

Installed a 200 watt solar system on our Northern Lite. Buying it all in kit form from AM Solar made it a pretty straight forward job. I took advantage of their year end sale plus free shipping and no sales tax. It took me 2 days to do the install. It appears to be working very well. My DW and I and our dog leave in a couple days from Seattle to Fort Meyers, Florida. We'll take our time going there and back and probably won't return until around the end of March. It will be our longest camper trip so far. It's great to be retired. We hardly ever stay in RV parks so the solar will be a real plus for boon docking and stealth camping. Happy New Year to all. -Mark.

[bigfootford]

bka0721 wrote:
A long time poster on this TC Forum has frequently made a good suggestion when deciding size and position of a Solar Panel, bigfootford. This is to cut a piece of cardboard (or similar) the size of the solar panel you are considering/purchased. Then set it in the location/s on the roof of your Truck Camper. Determing the position of your Solar Panel in the roof landscape of your TC is important.

b

Like this:

My panels were long and narrow.... 23"X56". 100watts each.



Link to some of my pictures:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24783458/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm

Jim

[Dbl-A-Ron]

Thanks Mark, I looked on norther-lite.org for the install pics. You must be whaleya? If so thanks for the post. Your install looks similar to flyfisher86. I was considering putting a panel behind the Heki skylight. It looks like a shade free area and would allow easier access across the roof. The 2nd panel will either go on the passenger or the driver side lengthwise.

[scottz]

Are truck campers registered as RVs in your state? Do you plan on taking advantage of the federal tax credit?

[bka0721]

A long time poster on this TC Forum has frequently made a good suggestion when deciding size and position of a Solar Panel, bigfootford. This is to cut a piece of cardboard (or similar) the size of the solar panel you are considering/purchased. Then set it in the location/s on the roof of your Truck Camper. Determing the position of your Solar Panel in the roof landscape of your TC is important.

b

[markchengr]

Hi Dbl-A-Ron, I mounted one lengthwise left of the AC at a very slight angle due to roof shape and the other cross-wise, aft of the Heki skylight because I had previously installed a bat-wing antenna on the right side. There are no shading issues. The mounting feet supplied with the AM Solar panel kit allow for angling and height adjustments at the different corners of each panel which is the key to mounting on the odd shape of a Northern Lite roof. Check my post on the Northern Lite owners forum, www.northern-lite.com for more details on a NL 10-2 installation. We're enjoying the Florida sun with friends for a few more weeks and then we'll be heading home in no particular hurry for maybe a month or two. -Mark.

[Dbl-A-Ron]

Hi Mark, I too am installing a solar system on my Northern Lite 10-2. I bought 2 GS-S-100-TS panels and have been debating where to put them. Where did you put yours? Any shading issues? I have an air conditioner and it seems there isn't any way to avoid it.

[deltabravo]

I love my AM Solar system. I opted to have them install it, so I drove down there from Tacoma back in 2010.

I am now in need of new batteries - mine are toast, from abuse and lack of maintenance.

[sleepy]

I'm looking forward to your trip report and an update on how you utilize your PVSolar...

I'm sure that you know... there is a learning curve... PVSolar gets better the more you use it.... when to use a lot of power and when to taper off in the evening so that you have plenty of juice for the furnace overnight in cold weather....

I'm still making modifications that fit well with our AM Solar system.

Congratulations on yours

Chet

[bka0721]

Congrats on your new addition to your camper and the ability to keep those batteries topped off during extended times, when you are not driving. Looking for sunny spots and campsites changes for those that have solar, after years of avoiding the sunny spots.

AM Solar is a wonderful, wonderful group to source solar parts and information. While they certainly don't have the cheapest parts out there, at least their systems are well thought out and tested. That to me, is worth the addtional costs. Plus, they often have sale periods and watching for those, can make what otherwise seems to be a cheaper price, competitive. They currenty have free shipping on select items, as their Holiday Sale for discounted packages, ended on Dec 17th.

Have a great time on your upcoming adventure and be sure to post pictures and share stories of your trip. Include a few pics of your new solar would be a great bonus, as well.

b