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Topic: Solar and Satellite Questions (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
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Solar and Satellite Questions
Yahoo Message Number: 23358
I'm not sure that I would have an immediate need for solar panels or satellite, but might want them at some point in the future.  It seems that it's a good idea to get at least one solar panel installed at the factory, since LD puts in special roof reinforcements at the same time.  Is it a good idea to have the second panel factory-installed as well, or can that be done fairly easily at a later date?  Also, do the LD solar panels tilt to get the optimum sun exposure?

Likewise I don't use satellite at home right now, so I wouldn't be able to use it in the LD.  I can see where I might want this in the future after I retire though.  Does it make sense to have a satellite antenna factory-installed or can it be installed fairly-easily by an after-market dealer?

Dave
Re: Solar and Satellite Questions
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23362
Dave, Although we've only had our 26.5 MB for about 6 weeks now, I'll at least offer our thoughts on your questions.
1.  The solar panels that the factory installs do not  tilt, they are mounted flat to the roof.
2.  We were pretty sure we wanted all the solar power  we could get, so we opted to have the factory install  2 panels.  Our thinking was that way they would reinforce  the roof and they would install the mounts, run the wires,  etc. during construction.  This may not really be a big  deal, but for us it made sense.
3.  We're in a similar situation regarding the satellite
 dish.  We don't currently have it at home, although I've thought about it several times.  The manual dish was only about $500 when we ordered last August, so we decided to go ahead and have the factory install it for much the same reasons as the solar panels.  They add any roof support they think is necessary.  They mount it and run the wires during construction.  Now it's up there if we ever decide to use it.  (Of course the one negative is that by the time we decide we want satellite the technology will probably have changed and the dish on the roof won't work with the "hottest" technology.)

I know some others in the group have had aftermarket products added, and I'm sure they will address the ease of doing that.

Charles.

Quote
I'm not sure that I would have an immediate need for solar panels or satellite, but might want them at some point in the future.
Also do the LD solar panels tilt to get the optimum sun exposure?

Likewise I don't use satellite at home right now, so I wouldn't be able to use it in the LD.  I can see where I might want this in the future after I retire though.  Does it make sense to have a satellite antenna factory-installed or can it be installed fairly-easily by an
Re: Solar and Satellite Questions
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23367
Quote
Is it a good idea to have the second panel factory-installed as well, or can that be done fairly easily at a later date?  Also, do the LD solar panels tilt to get the optimum sun exposure?
At a factory visit we had Steve of LD sketch the positions of 1 and 2 solar panels on the 26.5 MB on a roof drawing.  For 1 solar panel it is located several inches aft of the escape hatch.  For 2 solar panels, the first is located aft of the escape hatch only closer to the hatch, and the second behind that.  So, I would say the blocking is different and a second solar panel cannot be easily added in the factory style if only one is ordered initially.
We ordered two solar panels.

The LD factory installed solar panels do not tilt.

I think that one could add after market solar panels.  One might consider a roof rack type base that attaches to the sides to avoid possible roof penetration problems. One could possibly rig a tilting apparatus and access the panels through the escape hatch for tilting adjustment.

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Does it make sense to have a satellite antenna factory-installed or can it be installed fairly-easily by an after-market dealer?
I think that at an RV park you will see most DirecTV and Dish customers use a tripod mount on the ground.  This has the advantages that you can move the dish to get a clear shot even if your campsite is shaded and that you can easily add it without drilling into the roof of your RV.  Disadvantage is you have to store that stuff when travelling.  If you're not going to use satellite TV right away and you're not too sure if you ever will, my suggestion would be don't order the roof-top dish from Lazy Daze. As I recall it is expensive from LD.

Ken, Patty, and little Stephanie from San Diego
 
Re: Solar and Satellite Questions
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23369
Dave,

It's a good idea to get solar panels factory installed for many reasons if you think you'll ever want or need them. For one the BP Solar panels they use are the top rated solar panels on the market today. The mounts aren't tilting mounts but you could use them to modify for a tilting or even tilting and rotating mount so that you can aim them for the optimum exposure.

As for the satellite I don't think it's really all that worthwhile.
The additional supports LD puts in aren't really needed for a satellite dish, or the solar panels for that matter. LD's already have more supports in the roof than most other RVs. Several people have installed both aftermarket and haven't had any problems with them. I couldn't even begin to tell you how many times where I've seen people with roof mounted dishes run a portable dish in order to get a signal from the satellite due to trees or other obstructions.
Satellite TV IMHO is highly overrated and unless you're a TV addict I can't see any need for it especially if you don't have it now at home. You have to ask yourself how much you'll really watch it. Do you have cable at home and want to have access to a lot of stations, often with not much worth watching anyway? It really depends on the individual and your TV watching habits.

Mike R.