You know I've seen a lot of videos on solar power and how it works. This was hands down the best explanation of how it works, and how much the average person needs. THANK YOU
Great video. My wife and I have always scratched our heads at the number of people who drop 10k Plus on solar/electrical upgrades before they ever use their trailer. We have a 20 foot caravel and it came with one 90w solar panel and two 80ah AGMs and the solar controller and converter both have manual switches to change to Lithium. We swapped out the 2 AGM batteries for two 125ah Lithium batteries that I was able to fit in the battery box. Then I flipped the switches and we were running on lithium and we have almost 5 times the usable battery capacity than what came with the trailer. We added another 135w of solar on the roof and 200w of portable solar as well as a small propane powered generator for those long stretches of cloudy weather. Last spring we traveled from the east coast to Utah and did not plug in or run the generator for over two weeks. I feel we got a very functional off grid system for a very reasonable price and it fits well with our camping style. A dc to dc charging system is my next likely upgrade as it would greatly reduce the need for our generator. We enjoy your videos and like the amount of east coast content you have been providing. We are counting down to our spring trip to the Outer Banks.
I'm with TheOldSailorGMC on this video... and it confirms for me that we made the right decision for ourselves with what we have in terms of equipment and why we might make changes in the future if the nature of where we stay most often changes. Thanks Brad, excellent video!
Because I’m a bit of a data nerd, I use a logging thermometer in the fridge and freezer so I can see the temperature changes and know if my potato salad sat at 60 degrees all day and then cooled to 35 at night. Another great video, thanks!
Definitely agree on assessing needs before spending the money. I see people spend 10s of thousands on off road upgrades for their trucks and SUVs before they actually know if they need them or not. When we get our Airstream we will mostly be plugged in and occasionally boondock. Between a portable plug in solar panel and the ALP propane generator, that will do us. If we are way off grid boondocking, we are probably off road and in or Sylvansport Go trailer.
Awesome video. Best one Ive seen yet.Im headed out in a few weeks for 4 days of boon docking (but Im bring my generator as backup). This gives me a great idea of what I can expect. S.F.!
I saw an RV’er who’s flexible panels caught fire with the sun’s heat. He caught it in time and avoided losing the rig but the roof sustained a little damage.
Another Great Video. We put AGM batts in our International FB27 2023, the year Airstream didn’t include Batteries. Until we retire in 2026 our camper will mostly be used at campgrounds. We choose AGM in 2023 because we figured the price of lithium might go down, we weren’t going to be using them for a few years and lastly figured the technology would get better. Do you know how difficult it is to reprogram the Victron Solar charger from AGM to Lithium?
Good morning! Thanks for watching and your feedback. Concerning the solar charger, what you have should be fine unless you are going to a 48V battery system. Typically most of the solar controllers can handle a 12V or 24V system without issue. The thing you need to be concerned with is the converter. it is behind you AC distribution panel. That will need to be switched to a lithium profile. Hope this helps.
Great video. One point of confusion - I thought refrigerators of this size only have a single compressor, usually located in the freezer section, and use a fan to blow the cold air into the fridge as needed. Is this not true for the Norcold?
You are correct. I often say it as two to differentiate between the freezer and refrigerator portion so everyone understands there are separate temp controls. Sorry for any confusion and thank you for reaching out.
I have two videos on this. One is truck side and the other is rig side. ruclips.net/video/5I1tzPvEdxU/видео.htmlsi=tdGjn326t2b5iued ruclips.net/video/ffSz6gaCj2M/видео.htmlsi=iyy_mTq63SLuE_xT Of note, I changed the truck side after the video. You can see the updates in the rig side video. Hope this helps.
Nice job explaining the ac/dc/inverter/converter business. It is confusing to me. Had a question re the radio use. I was shocked at the amnt of power you said the radio uses and we checked ours w our victron this am. Seems to be more like 1 amp. Is this due to a difference in radios or am I reading it incorrectly!?
hello and thanks for watching and your feedback. You are correct that it's typically a 1Ah draw when it's static. Mine just standard sound when watching Apple TV pulls about 6Ah but spikes up to 10-12Ah at times. The number I used was from the manual stating that it might draw up to the high number. It also depends on if its powering sound and boosting the subwoofer. Hope this helps.
I run them down with a battery powered drill and stop once the sand of the motor changes. If you're doing it with the manual handle, I go until it gets tight on the ground and then one more half turn.
I did not see the fridge in the daily power budget slide. Was that an oversight or intentional? What is the average daily Ah draw for the fridge (if not in extreme weather conditions)?
The Trade Wind solar panels are not the same flexible solar panels you are used to. They are from Merlin and have a completely different chemistry and technology. They have been used commercially and in the military for years. You can also walk on them unlink older flexible or glass panels. They are very expensive comparatively but have the lifespan of a regular glass panel. We have these same panels on new Airstream Atlas and very happy with them.
Hello and thank you for the feedback! I am familiar with the Merlin panels and have used them in a number of applications in my life and I was happy that Airstream started a partnership. I understand they are better than they used to be by a large margin as I spent many days in the far regions of the world using solar to charge things in my 25 years on active duty. Still my least favorite aspect is how they are attached. I have the Merlin rigid panels on my rig and I personally added a 4th one. Im a fan of the company and their products. I hope they continue to prove worthwhile.
You know I've seen a lot of videos on solar power and how it works. This was hands down the best explanation of how it works, and how much the average person needs. THANK YOU
Thank you very much for your feedback and thanks for watching!
Great video. My wife and I have always scratched our heads at the number of people who drop 10k Plus on solar/electrical upgrades before they ever use their trailer. We have a 20 foot caravel and it came with one 90w solar panel and two 80ah AGMs and the solar controller and converter both have manual switches to change to Lithium. We swapped out the 2 AGM batteries for two 125ah Lithium batteries that I was able to fit in the battery box. Then I flipped the switches and we were running on lithium and we have almost 5 times the usable battery capacity than what came with the trailer. We added another 135w of solar on the roof and 200w of portable solar as well as a small propane powered generator for those long stretches of cloudy weather. Last spring we traveled from the east coast to Utah and did not plug in or run the generator for over two weeks. I feel we got a very functional off grid system for a very reasonable price and it fits well with our camping style. A dc to dc charging system is my next likely upgrade as it would greatly reduce the need for our generator. We enjoy your videos and like the amount of east coast content you have been providing. We are counting down to our spring trip to the Outer Banks.
Thank you so very much for watching and your feedback. Sounds like you have a great set up! Hope to see you on the road sometime!
I'm with TheOldSailorGMC on this video... and it confirms for me that we made the right decision for ourselves with what we have in terms of equipment and why we might make changes in the future if the nature of where we stay most often changes. Thanks Brad, excellent video!
Thank you very much for making us a part of your day and watching the video. Glad it helped. We’re always willing to assist should you need it.
Because I’m a bit of a data nerd, I use a logging thermometer in the fridge and freezer so I can see the temperature changes and know if my potato salad sat at 60 degrees all day and then cooled to 35 at night.
Another great video, thanks!
We have considered that in the past and need to revisit that type of thermometer. Thanks for the reminder and for your feedback.
Good one guys! Thanks for consistently making daunting information more easily digestible. 🥰
Thank you so very much for watching and for your feedback!
Definitely agree on assessing needs before spending the money. I see people spend 10s of thousands on off road upgrades for their trucks and SUVs before they actually know if they need them or not. When we get our Airstream we will mostly be plugged in and occasionally boondock. Between a portable plug in solar panel and the ALP propane generator, that will do us. If we are way off grid boondocking, we are probably off road and in or Sylvansport Go trailer.
Thanks for the feedback and we agree! So many people get these giant systems and never use it to its potential.
Thanks for the walkthrough. Great explanation of what’s happening, been watching for a bit and now subscribed to follow along!
Thank you very much for making us a part of your adventure and for your feedback!
Great video and very informative. I believe your explanation was the best ive seen so far. Stay safe.
Thank you very much for watching and your feedback. Glad you took something away!
Awesome video. Best one Ive seen yet.Im headed out in a few weeks for 4 days of boon docking (but Im bring my generator as backup). This gives me a great idea of what I can expect. S.F.!
Thanks for watching and your feedback! Enjoy your trip!
Another excellent video. Thank you
Thanks for making us a part of your day!
Thanks for the excellent video, appreciate your time and effort.
Thank you very much for making us a part of your journey and for your feedback!
I saw an RV’er who’s flexible panels caught fire with the sun’s heat. He caught it in time and avoided losing the rig but the roof sustained a little damage.
Oh no!!!
Informative as always, !!!! Thanks Brad and Blair. Take care.
Thank you so very much for watching and making us a part of your day!
Good stuff. Always great content and I always come away learning a thing or two.
Thanks for watching and for your feedback.
The Ford F150 with the pro power on board, can run both ACs for hours and hours
Its great! We only wish they would put that in a super duty!
Awesome episode! Loved the AC/DC draw diagram. I’m also going to see if I can put some sort of disconnect on my sub. Thanks!!
Thanks for watching and your feedback. You can add a simple in-line fuse to turn on and off.
Great job. This is the best explanation on airstream electrics I have heard since I purchased my Airstream 2 years ago, Thank you.
Thank you so very much for making us a part of your adventure and for your feedback! Happy Adventures!
Another great video!!🇺🇸
Than you! Looking forward to seeing yall soon!
I learn so much in every video, thanks for taking the time to do them.
Thank you for making the time to watch them!
Another Great Video. We put AGM batts in our International FB27 2023, the year Airstream didn’t include Batteries. Until we retire in 2026 our camper will mostly be used at campgrounds. We choose AGM in 2023 because we figured the price of lithium might go down, we weren’t going to be using them for a few years and lastly figured the technology would get better. Do you know how difficult it is to reprogram the Victron Solar charger from AGM to Lithium?
Good morning! Thanks for watching and your feedback. Concerning the solar charger, what you have should be fine unless you are going to a 48V battery system. Typically most of the solar controllers can handle a 12V or 24V system without issue. The thing you need to be concerned with is the converter. it is behind you AC distribution panel. That will need to be switched to a lithium profile. Hope this helps.
Yes, that is very helpful. Good to know the changeover will be so simple.
Very informative video.
Glad you got something from it! Thanks for watching and your feedback.
Great video. One point of confusion - I thought refrigerators of this size only have a single compressor, usually located in the freezer section, and use a fan to blow the cold air into the fridge as needed. Is this not true for the Norcold?
You are correct. I often say it as two to differentiate between the freezer and refrigerator portion so everyone understands there are separate temp controls. Sorry for any confusion and thank you for reaching out.
Any thoughts for recommendations on a dc dc charger set up?
I have two videos on this. One is truck side and the other is rig side.
ruclips.net/video/5I1tzPvEdxU/видео.htmlsi=tdGjn326t2b5iued
ruclips.net/video/ffSz6gaCj2M/видео.htmlsi=iyy_mTq63SLuE_xT
Of note, I changed the truck side after the video. You can see the updates in the rig side video. Hope this helps.
Nice job explaining the ac/dc/inverter/converter business. It is confusing to me.
Had a question re the radio use. I was shocked at the amnt of power you said the radio uses and we checked ours w our victron this am. Seems to be more like 1 amp. Is this due to a difference in radios or am I reading it incorrectly!?
hello and thanks for watching and your feedback. You are correct that it's typically a 1Ah draw when it's static. Mine just standard sound when watching Apple TV pulls about 6Ah but spikes up to 10-12Ah at times. The number I used was from the manual stating that it might draw up to the high number. It also depends on if its powering sound and boosting the subwoofer. Hope this helps.
Just removed my sub woofer yesterday to save power and weight I was surprised how much power it uses ? Now I know 😳
It was surprising to us as well!
@@ThirteenAdventures I you turn the volume all the way down on the equalizer is it still drawing power?
Ive not tried that but its very possible.
How do you determine the pressure to apply to your stabilizer jacks? Manual and power. Thanks.
I run them down with a battery powered drill and stop once the sand of the motor changes. If you're doing it with the manual handle, I go until it gets tight on the ground and then one more half turn.
I did not see the fridge in the daily power budget slide. Was that an oversight or intentional? What is the average daily Ah draw for the fridge (if not in extreme weather conditions)?
I intentionally left it off because it's hard to determine how long one might run. Its 6 amps per hour when the compressor runs though.
You sound is a little better on this video.
Thanks for the feedback!
The Trade Wind solar panels are not the same flexible solar panels you are used to. They are from Merlin and have a completely different chemistry and technology. They have been used commercially and in the military for years. You can also walk on them unlink older flexible or glass panels. They are very expensive comparatively but have the lifespan of a regular glass panel. We have these same panels on new Airstream Atlas and very happy with them.
Hello and thank you for the feedback! I am familiar with the Merlin panels and have used them in a number of applications in my life and I was happy that Airstream started a partnership. I understand they are better than they used to be by a large margin as I spent many days in the far regions of the world using solar to charge things in my 25 years on active duty. Still my least favorite aspect is how they are attached. I have the Merlin rigid panels on my rig and I personally added a 4th one. Im a fan of the company and their products. I hope they continue to prove worthwhile.
Free👍👍👍👍👍
AWESOME Video! Can you post the various charts / diagrams you used so I can print off? Thanks again and keep up the great work.
Hello and thank you for watching and your feedback. Please contact us via the website and I'll respond with the documents requested. Have a great day!