Solar Install AM Solar etc May 11, 2022, 05:47:36 pm Ok so the recent discussion about Starlink has been a bit derailed with talk of adding Solar. With that in mind and if appropriate, I thought it prudent to continue Solar installations here.Muhammad,AM Solar is a great place to have work done. However, while hoping to get them to provide installation while in the area may be a bit optimistic. Like so many businesses, they are generally an appointment driven service.This is not to say that dropping by will be fruitless. They may well give you advice. That being said, installations can take several days to accomplish. This is true with more complicated installations. Our installation for example took the better part of 5 days. Of course they did a total refit of our existing system that Lazy Daze installed. Success for your upgrade. Hope they can fit you in while you’re in the area.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #1 – May 11, 2022, 06:52:21 pm Thanks Kent. I did talk to them and fortunately person on the other end of the phone did not laugh on my proposal. He asked me to document everything in email for them to see the feasibility and give me the estimate.Demand and supply and fortunately skilled labor is always in high demand. I do remember reading you documenting the wait and installation process. This was the reason I was thinking about DIY approach with flexible panels.We will be in the middle of RV manufacturing Mecca for few days and I might find some opportunity. Fortunately this is just an upgrade and if it does not work out it is not life and death.Take care Kent.
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #2 – May 11, 2022, 11:37:35 pm When I bought my 2017 TK in southeast Washington seven weeks ago, I called AM Solar to see if I could drop by on the drive back to the Bay Area to have them give me an estimate on my solar upgrades while I happened to be in the area.They were not available on such short notice (five days), but they also said they didn’t have to see my TK for an estimate as they are very familiar with Lazy Daze, having done quite a few.They were able give me an estimate within a week, at which point I made an appointment. Granted, I was telling them to take off the existing solar and maximize what I could have on the roof (680) and upgrade to lithium, so they weren’t trying to extend the existing setup.Heading up for the install on May 21st, will take 4-5 days.I suspect you’ll need to give up your visit to Crater Lake to gain a couple days, but you should have an estimate before you leave in two weeks. I’m glad to hear you’re not going to attempt the upgrade yourself just before you set out on such a long journey, you existing setup should be good enough given you’ll be on the move quite a bit. 1 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #3 – May 12, 2022, 12:30:33 am Quote from: Dave Katleman - May 11, 2022, 11:37:35 pmWhen I bought my 2017 TK in southeast Washington seven weeks ago, I called AM Solar to see if I could drop by on the drive back to the Bay Area to have them give me an estimate on my solar upgrades while I happened to be in the area.They were not available on such short notice (five days), but they also said they didn’t have to see my TK for an estimate as they are very familiar with Lazy Daze, having done quite a few.They were able give me an estimate within a week, at which point I made an appointment. Granted, I was telling them to take off the existing solar and maximize what I could have on the roof (680) and upgrade to lithium, so they weren’t trying to extend the existing setup.Heading up for the install on May 21st, will take 4-5 days.I suspect you’ll need to give up your visit to Crater Lake to gain a couple days, but you should have an estimate before you leave in two weeks. I’m glad to hear you’re not going to attempt the upgrade yourself just before you set out on such a long journey, you existing setup should be good enough given you’ll be on the move quite a bit.Could I ask the cost for such an upgrade?
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #4 – May 12, 2022, 09:48:05 am Sure, it’s an expensive upgrade, $18,000, a bit over half is labor300 Ah of lithium680 Watts solarVictron Multiplus 3000VA Inverter Kit 1 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #5 – May 12, 2022, 11:39:28 am It’s only money. Peace of mind is a great reward. Plenty to do for a week on the Oregon coast.Kent 2 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #6 – May 12, 2022, 11:51:45 am Quote from: Dave Katleman - May 12, 2022, 09:48:05 amSure, it’s an expensive upgrade, $18,000, a bit over half is labor300 Ah of lithium680 Watts solarVictron Multiplus 3000VA Inverter KitThat is pricey, the parts are a little more than $5000, for a DIYer. $12.000+ for labor is a lot of bucks for a few days of labor.Victron MultiPlus Compact 12/2000/80-30 230V VE.Bus Inverter Charger :...100 Ah 12V GC2 LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery | Battle Born BatteriesAmazon.com: Renogy 12 Volt Solar Panel 100 Watt High-Efficiency Monocrystalli...Add around $300 for misc parts. I would add a battery switch and a 300-amp catastrophe Fuse.Larry 3 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #7 – May 12, 2022, 12:03:36 pm Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - May 12, 2022, 11:39:28 amIt’s only money. Peace of mind is a great reward. Plenty to do for a week on the Oregon coast.I recall my father’s never ending electrical troubles with his Chinook, so in my book, it’s better to pay for a quality install upfront to minimize troubles on the road.Spent time on the coast last year, loved it, one of my pics is very similar. 1 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #8 – May 12, 2022, 12:23:26 pm Ahhh…Depot Bay. My brother spent almost a decade in the Coast Guard in Depot Bay. It’s featured in “Sometimes A Great Notion” with Henry Fonda. https://youtu.be/kJz8JEEjGrIThe fact that labor costs are a good part of a Solar Upgrade is something to think about. With that added cost comes peace of mind, no labor on the rv owners part, and the knowledge base of an expert doing all the thinking and installation. I certainly would have screwed the whole thing up if I had tried to do my install on my own. Add to the mix is AM’s unlimited tech support at this price point. If I had purchased all the needed components for a DIY install, RonB would still be on my roof plugging along. Thanks Ron. You’re the best. 😜Kent 1 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #9 – May 12, 2022, 12:30:26 pm "Plenty to do for a week on the Oregon coast."Tell me, when was it that they moved AM Solar from Springfield to the coast??? 1 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #10 – May 12, 2022, 12:32:17 pm Here’s a breakdown of all the components from AM Solar, though one of the batteries costs $250 more as it has extra monitoring ability.3 x 100Ah Low Temp LifeBlue Lithium Battery, $990 each4 x 170 Watt Solar Panel Kit with Rocker Mounts $465 eachVictron Multiplus 3000VA Inverter Kit- Full Pass, $232530A Orion Alternator Charger Kit, $330SunRunner Victron MPPT 50A, $625Easy Start Kit, $320Misc parts, $650So labor is the other half of the expenses. Yes the labor is still expensive.I knew going into ownership that I could do very few projects like this myself, not due to ability, but because I can’t work on the TK at the condo.
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #11 – May 12, 2022, 01:01:10 pm Steve,You mentioned “ Tell me, when was it that they moved AM Solar from Springfield to the coast???”Funny. We made an adventure of it. Were there things to do in Springfield? Other than hang out in their parking lot? AM said we could stay in the LD at night while they did the installation but at a 25% up charge in the overall costs. Yikes. It was a wonderful journey plus we took some great advice 🤔 and checked out the Tillamook Creamery. Nice. Lots of cheese and the ice cream was great.Kent
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #12 – May 12, 2022, 01:22:50 pm Dave,Not sure when will I get the chance to see Crater Lake, unless one of us get sick or some other family or truck emergency happen none of the national parks are getting out of the plan especially for optional upgrades (truck is here to serve us and not otherway around). As you said stock setup is very decent and even without additional solar pannels we did pretty well and will continue to be happy but I will keep my eyes open for oppertunity to add more solar pannels. One of the option I considered was to add a solar connection on battery compartment lid to be able to use brief case solar pannel for charging batteries but then I remember the difficulty I had with managing thick and short battery wires when I was trying to put vectron shank and shot this idea. Thanks for sharing your experience and good to have some reality dose once in a while.I do remember Kent messages where he mentioned abusing his batteries for few years before electrical refresh. Not a bad plan .... I am not planning to discharge batteries below 60% and hope to get few years from current setup and who know what our plans will be in few years anyway.Regards,Quote from: Dave Katleman - May 11, 2022, 11:37:35 pmI suspect you’ll need to give up your visit to Crater Lake to gain a couple days, but you should have an estimate before you leave in two weeks. I’m glad to hear you’re not going to attempt the upgrade yourself just before you set out on such a long journey, you existing setup should be good enough given you’ll be on the move quite a bit.
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #13 – May 12, 2022, 01:55:42 pm Hi Dave; That easy start kit for the A/C was incidental, but it does put less stress on the batteries if you were to run your A/C from them. You also paid extra for the low temp batteries, that have internal heaters. A good plan if you will be in cold weather. In a TK, where did(will) they locate the batteries? Incidentals sounds low at $650. I spent lots for extra circuit breakers, the rotary heavy duty switches 500A rated 1,2, neither or both, and the on/off to the inverter. Stainless screws/nuts nyloc nuts/washers, #2 welding cable red and black, red and black buss bars, crimper and copper crimp terminals, tape heat shrink, aluminum framing for the panels and on and on. I already had picked the BalMar battery monitor, but the SOH portion is less useful without lead acid batteries. Also the inverter was almost a separate project. I notice they are using the Orion DC to DC converter instead of the Cyrix to spare the chassis alternator. And your alternator is more capable than my 130A chassis. Dave, are they changing the house converter battery charger? RonB 1 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #14 – May 12, 2022, 04:34:30 pm The batteries are going in the same location as the existing house batteries, and I’m not going to shy away from cold weather, so low temp batteries are useful.As to the house converter battery charger, I assume so, the quote covered upgrades to Solar Charging, Alternator Charging, and Shore Power Charging.
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #15 – May 12, 2022, 06:59:52 pm Thanks Dave; Shore power charging is done by the converter, and needs a higher voltage for LiF than the lead acid need. RonB
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #16 – May 12, 2022, 07:57:26 pm Whew! I'm glad I had all my solar installed years ago, using 6 gauge wire in case of future upgrades, all done by an RV guy who previously worked for AM Solar, and cost less than a quarter of this $$$$. It has served me well for nearly ten years now, and every time I think of adding more panels have been told that since I am up to 100% nearly every day before noon, even with charging everything, watching videos at night and so on, that I'm doing fine as I am. I did change to a better converter and replaced the batteries a couple times over the years, but I should just be happy. Kudos to you, Dave! 3 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #17 – May 13, 2022, 02:37:23 pm I already posted in the 'Repair, Maintenance' thread, but we recently had work done by Quality RV Solar in Grass Valley, CA, and were very pleased with price and quality. We replaced/upgraded our solar panels, had a new battery controller, solar controller, pass-thru inverter, additional outlets, back camera, internal EMS put in, and were very pleased. Because our batteries are only a year old, we're not going Lithium till next time, but we'll definitely go back to the same shop. If you are in Northern CA, you might want to check it out. 2 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #18 – May 13, 2022, 05:23:33 pm Quote from: Wendy Harris - May 13, 2022, 02:37:23 pmI already posted in the 'Repair, Maintenance' thread, but we recently had work done by Quality RV Solar in Grass Valley, CA, and were very pleased with price and quality.Solar Dan has done a bit of work on LDs, I have not heard any complaints and he is a lot closer to the Bay Area than Springfield Oregon, less expensive too.AM Solar does first class work, their shop is amazing, custom built for solar installations.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #19 – May 15, 2022, 09:58:01 am Larry,You mentioned earlier charges for labor cost is too much. When time come for me to refresh, I will look for solution close to Amazon.com : EF ECOFLOW DELTA Pro 7.2KWh/3600W Home Backup Power, Solar... it has 30A outlet which we can put in the LD and as for charging it has a very fast charge, just 90 minute of generator if we exhaust entire 7.2 KW in 24 hrs which I doubt anybody can do it.I am not ready to refresh yet but when time come I will prefer cheap streamed line labor instead of customized install. Just my point of view ....Quote from: Larry W - May 13, 2022, 05:23:33 pmSolar Dan has done a bit of work on LDs, I have not heard any complaints and he is a lot closer to the Bay Area than Springfield Oregon, less expensive too.AM Solar does first class work, their shop is amazing, custom built for solar installations.Larry As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #20 – May 15, 2022, 01:46:21 pm Well, I'm glad I had "customized install" so I could get exactly what I wanted from a capable person, instead of "streamed line labor", whatever that is, but even that probably wouldn't be cheap... expertise costs, as does using heavier gauge wire. YMMV.
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #21 – May 15, 2022, 02:25:53 pm I understand that it's tempting to buy a "black box" that will meet your needs, rather than drive somewhere and pay to have a custom installation done. The question is whether a black box will meet your needs.That Ecoflow battery pack weighs 84 pounds, and is more than two cubic feet in bulk. I'd have trouble finding a place for that in any RV I've owned. I certainly wouldn't be bringing it in and out of the rig. So assuming you carry it inside your rig, how will you use the device's 30 A outlet--bring your shore power cord in through a window? This doesn't sound practical.The Ecoflow battery pack (I wish they'd stop calling these things "solar generators," since they are neither solar nor generators) has a charger, inverter, and battery monitor. But your motorhome already has all those things. If you need more storage capacity, why not just add more batteries to your existing system? $6,099.00 (the price of the Ecoflow battery pack) will buy you a lot of LiFePO4 batteries... without making you pay for items you already have. And you'll have a setup that is integrated and works together, rather than managing separate systems. 3 Likes
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #22 – May 15, 2022, 02:50:54 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - May 15, 2022, 02:25:53 pmThat Ecoflow battery pack weighs 84 pounds and is more than two cubic feet in bulk. I'd have trouble finding a place for that in any RV I've owned, Your motorhome already has a charger, inverter, battery monitor, etc. If all you need is more storage capacity, why not just add more batteries to your existing system? $6,099.00 (the price of the Ecoflow battery pack) will buy you a lot of LiFePO4 batteries... without making you pay for items you already have.Muhammad's Mid-Bath has the perfect place for two more batteries, under the refrigerator, next to the existing batteries.400-amp hours of lithium battery will cover any electrical needs for days and will not intrude into the coach.The Ecoflow battery is more appropriate for home use, IMO.Larry
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #23 – May 15, 2022, 06:28:52 pm "Muhammad's Mid-Bath has the perfect place for two more batteries, under the refrigerator, next to the existing batteries."At one time I actually had three added batteries under there in my midbath. It's an ideal location.
Re: Solar Install AM Solar etc Reply #24 – May 15, 2022, 11:50:49 pm Andy and Larry you have a point. I am not refreshing right now and each time I check components are becoming smaller, cheaper and lighter.Let say what Kent suggested and I abuse existing AGM batteries and am ready to move to lithium in a year or two … Each 100ah lithium battery cost around 1K, then I will need a faster converter and charger and then need to schedule an appointment and wait … I am sure few more components and labor with current rate of inflation would be 8-9K.For now it is just an academic exercise but this package give much more functionality and capacity compared to David who spent more then twice the price. Hopefully size will get smaller and right now they are guaranteeing 7-8 K charge discharge cycles and a very very very quick recharging capabilities. If I can just bring 30 amp plug from the battery compartment and plug it in all the wiring in LD will continue to work as normal when shore power is plugged in. As for setup don’t you think it is simple to get wires from current slow converter/charger and reroute it to these type of systems?Let’s take a next logical step and perhaps we can move to electric stoves and refrigerator. With this much battery power and quick recharge it is possible. Removing the propane will simplify life little better. More expensive motorhomes are doing it with customized solution we have it in front of us ….I am sure I will come back to this topic again … paying for labor and waiting for months is not sustainable.Not a conventional way of doing but when we have shortage of skilled labor and these things can be mass produced in China why we should not benefit from cheap labor.I do not want to put too much time right now as I might start abusing AGM batteries now that I know within 6K I can have a pretty nice system and I am sure next time it will be more powerful, cheaper and will come with 5 year warrenty instead of 3 years.Thanks for pondering on my dump suggestions….
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