Category Archives: solar

Here Comes The Sun

As I get ready for a long trip, I am trying to address one of the issues that Interstates like mine have – which is weak electrical systems for camping in spots without hookup aka as boondocking. It is a problem I knew about and frankly, don’t anticipate long stints in non-electric situations. However, many state parks and federal sites are definitely non-utility.

The problem comes primarily from the refrigerator, which is electric only. Most trailers have a dual-option system where you can run on just propane but the wizards at Airstream decided, probably for venting issues, to opt for an electric-only. I can hear the design team: “They have an onboard generator, no problem.”

I had a small solar panel that we logged with the Safari trailer and decided to use that if I could. There’s really no room on the roof for panels without a lot of time and expense so I studied things a bit and to use a pun, a light bulb went off. I had two new deep cycle batteries – about 150 amp-hours total – which was less capacity than I wanted. They also had a vent tube going out to the side of the van. Voila! I could used AGM batteries, which require no venting, and run the line from the solar panel in through the vent. Of course, it sounded easier than it was.

I bought two 6 volt Lifeline golf cart batteries which fit into the limited space, connected them to get 12 volts and 220 amp-hours. Here’s a shot of the rabbit’s warren of wires – I’ve got a little finishing work to do.

My brother Barry suggest that I use a quick disconnect plug like he has used – and ordered me one. I bought the charge controller for the solar panel (to avoid overcharging the batteries) and some wire and fittings. Of course, the ground to the battery box snapped off when I tried to use it and I must of dropped some of the small screws for the disconnect several dozen times. The finished project looks pretty good.

I got everything ready, plugged in the panel, and we had liftoff. It’s not a big solar gain, probably 4 amps in full sunlight, but it will help nicely.

I have a good place to stow the panel inside the van so we’ll see how things go. The van has its own battery for the engine but while travelling, I should get some charging of the house batteries. I’ll test this out over the next few months and see if I need more capacity. For now, it was a relatively inexpensive do-it-yourself project (with technical assistance from my brother) that seems to be a good start to energy independence. Nothing like seeing that panel just sit there and quietly crank. Stay tuned.

Electrical System Issues

We seldom spend much time “boondocking” with the Airstream and one reason is that we just have one battery. Over the years, we have taken some steps to improve our sustainability: we carry an 80w solar panel and have a small Honda generator, which we use mainly in the Northeast where trees and cloud cover often make solar problematic. Since the propane furnace is such an energy hog, I installed a catalytic heater which Penny certainly enjoys, since it is at her end of the trailer. I have also switched out most of our lights to LEDs and fixed a battery-draining function in our new refrigerator.

One of the reasons I have not moved ahead is that our battery area, on the tongue of the unit, only has room for a Type 27 battery. We’ve used Costco deep cell batteries which are reasonable but we only have room for one without major work to the frame and added tongue weight. So I have been looking at putting one or more batteries inside the Airstream so it requires pricey AGM units and a new controller — to replace the single-stage one that is now nearly old enough to vote.

So, the project began with exploration: removing the couch to get a better look at the electrical system.

It helps to have long arms when crawling under the couch to remove screws.

It helps to have long arms when crawling under the couch to remove screws.

These came out hard - it's time for stainless steel replacements.

These came out hard – it’s time for stainless steel replacements.

Once the couch was pulled out, the jumble of wires, insulation, and mouse droppings made cleanup task number one. Task two was to open it up more and try to figure out which wires were the ones I might need to move.

Lots of wires there - wonder where they all go?

Lots of wires there – wonder where they all go?

A closer look allowed me to identify the major wires to the battery.

A closer look allowed me to identify the major wires to the battery.

One of the issues to deal with if I’m planning to install new sealed (expensive) batteries is to upgrade the converter to a multi-stage unit which will charge but later on, float to keep from cooking the batteries.

This converter which takes 110 v and changes it to 12 v has had a good run. Should be easy to replace.

This converter which takes 110 v and changes it to 12 v has had a good run. Should be easy to replace.

The next steps: first go down to Vintage Trailer Supply and talk to them about a new converter — and probably buy a 60 amp unit.  I also need to get some replacement battery connectors because I’ll remove the existing ones in order to snake the two battery lines into the Airstream. I’ll also pull in the lines for the solar controller and the tongue jack.

I plan to replace the converter and temporarily install my battery inside and test out the charging system through the new converter and then the solar setup.

Then I will finish my research on AGM batteries and take a deep breath and order a couple. They are costly but should be good for some time and also provide the staying power we need while camping away from hookups. Stay tuned.

Solar Rocks!

I bought a solar panel for the #Airstream about four years ago and have hardly used it. Once in a while, either at a Vermont state park or at our daughter’s in Massachusetts, I’ll set it up and chase the sun through leaves and clouds. It has not been successful – that’s why I bought a generator last year.

Even on our Southwestern trips, we’ve had little use for it since we generally have power available. However, for the last week at South Carlsbad State Park in California, we’ve had only battery power and sun every day. It is so neat to set the unit out in the morning and watch the current flow all day, leaving a fully-charged battery every evening.

A dozen people or more have stopped to ask me about the unit – how it works, etc. no one here, in the hundreds of units we have seen come and go, has solar. Most use gas-powered generators. This is California – where I expected much more attention to green energy. I’ve seen one set of solar panels on a home and no electric vehicles. Perhaps I’m just missing them but with this winter sun almost every day, lots of folks, it seems, are missing the boat.

We leave this lovely site and our CA family in the morning. It’s been a wonderful visit with many new birds. I left some though for the next visit.

Portable Solar


After a lot of discussion with Airstream owners, we decided not to mount the solar panel on the unit but rather, set it up manually so as to better capture the sun’s rays. So far, so good.

Installing the controller involved disconnecting and removing the refrigerator (to be able to snake wires alongside it) and cutting an opening in the wall. Everything went well until I went to close the cupboard over the refrigerator, and the arm hit the controller unit. Too late to move things so I moved the arm to the other side of the door.

I put on a quick disconnect near the hitch and ran enough wire to be able to move the unit around to either side of the trailer. When I first tried everything, I got nothing, even though the controller was reading battery voltage. After reading the instructions again (what a concept!), I realized that the leads to the solar panel were on the wrong contacts — a quick switch and we were in business.

It’s a great feeling to see that controller registering 4 amps of current or so in full sun. It’s almost easy to feel smug — sort of “take that, power company” feeling. The unit topped off the battery, shut down, and came on periodically as I used a little power for things.

The setting, with trees and intermittent clouds (as you can see in the photo), was not ideal but it was a great start to getting more independent energy-wise.

Off To Massachusetts

Having worked some on installing the solar controller and wiring up the solar panel, I tested it yesterday and it was great to see the meter registering 3 to 4 amps as the sun came out from behind the clouds. For now, I’m planning to use the panel up against a sawhorse, positioned to catch the sun — and not mount it on the roof. Several friends (and my brother) set it up that way and like the versatility.

We packed up and headed out today — still winterized — to visit our daughter and family in Merrimac, MA. We’ve set up a nice little parking area off their long driveway so Penny (the Vizsla) and I boondock out there. It saves a lot of hassle since Jen has an old cat and Penny is terrible with felines.

The trip down was uneventful — aside from the fact that our running lights still do not work. It was rainy and foggy the first hour and while not dark enough to require lights — they would have helped from a safety factor. Next week’s project.

The site here, as you can see in the photo, is pretty wooded so the use of solar is going to be iffy. Right now, the leaves are not out so there’s hope — but the forecast is for rain. I’m on a limited electrical budget and monitoring the battery with the new controller. I ran the old furnace with the blower for just a bit and saw an immediate drain. Fortunately, the catalytic heater is cranking and should take the chill off. Penny plants herself about a foot from it.

Being further south, the birds are more plentiful and active. On a walk with the dog just before dark, I saw about a dozen or more species including a lovely pileated woodpecker. Hope to do some serious birding tomorrow or Saturday at Plum Island.