Mounting Solar Panels On Airstream

Solar pre wires are frequently factored into the design.

Mounting solar panels on airstream.

First and foremost solar panels that are permanently attached to the roof of your airstream risk being damaged by hail falling tree limbs overhangs and other natural elements. These kits are perfect for keeping rv s campers and travel trailers from colonial airsteam fully charged. Ensuring the panels are clean not partially shaded by trees or other interference will promote solar charging. Now remember all those numbers for our amp usage.

We also had a 1000 watt pure sine inverter installed to electrify our. Limited roof space requires narrow solar panels. Drilled 2 holes and added grommets to prevent the wire from rubbing against the metal. This is the path we chose.

Cut the cord to expensive daily shore power hook ups with the 12 volt solar charging system. An external battery box limits the size of battery banks or requires the battery bank to be relocated. We are happy to install them either way or even come up with custom mount sets when necessary. Although having the solar panels permanently attached is an added convenience it can lead to costly repairs down the road.

After much discussion we finally nailed down our system. A 135w panel might give you closer to 8 amps. Many folks installing solar on an airstream with a fridge vent use it to run wires into the trailer. Connected through our solar charge controller these panels feed our new agm battery bank consisting of 440 ah of juice 220 usable.

We now have 500 watts of solar on top of our airstream five 100 watt solar panels. Airstream trailer power systems are unique in several ways. On airstreams due to their rounded roofs we often use different sized feet to attach the solar panels to the roof. A curved roof requires specialized mounting hardware.

Airstream utilizes zamp solar panels and a victron charge control and display. Some clients like to have the panels conform to the curvature of their roof others prefer a more level appearance. The sunexplorer charge control performs these basic functions. A 100w panel for example can collect up to around 6 amps.

Solar panels come with wattages which when divided by their voltages less some expected loss give you peak amps they can collect.