Another PV Install at AM Solar

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Another PV Install at AM Solar

October 08, 2019, 10:03:13 pm

We pulled the trigger and we are having AM Solar install a 3320W PV system to include 1200Ah 24V LifeBlue lithium battery and monitoring system, Victron Quattro 24/5000/220-100/100 120V Inverter/Charger system, and auto generator start system. They are estimating it will take about 3 weeks to install. They are trying a new technique of PV installation so that I will still be able to tilt the panels and also have room to service my A/C units. Below are some pictures of them removing my satellite dish, local TV antennae, and compass unit. Tomorrow starts the PV install. I will see if they will let me enter the shop at the end of the day tomorrow to get some inside pictures of the work they have done.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #1 – October 08, 2019, 10:13:27 pm

Can't wait to see more pictures Oscar, as our coach is the same as you're except a year older.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #2 – October 08, 2019, 10:34:32 pm

How does the 24v work with a 12v system and how did you fit that much solar on the roof?

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #3 – October 08, 2019, 11:01:37 pm

Very impressive, 3300 watts on a 38 ft coach will probably set a record.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #4 – October 09, 2019, 12:00:28 am

Quote from: DavidS – October 08, 2019, 10:34:32 pm

How does the 24v work with a 12v system and how did you fit that much solar on the roof?

They are using a Buck-Boost DC-DC converter 24/12 100A for 12V alternator charge to 24V lithium and a Orion 24/12-70A DC-DC converter IP20 for 12V House DC from 24V Lithium (I think this is what they said...). Getting that much solar is only possible if their new mounting technique works which they will be trying out tomorrow. I will explain it in more detail tomorrow if it works

. Also my DW and I are not TV watchers so we deleted the dish and the local TV antennae. If we get the itch to watch TV we will just stream if we have enough signal. A Wilson signal booster is in the future (our money tree needs more time to grow more funds for us)

. They will be making two zones: 1560W and 1760W solar arrays. They will also be using, for the first time (I get to be the guinea pig) Victron BlueSolar Smart MPPT 150/70-Tr VE.Can for each array. These MPPT's use a Can connection for communication.

Hope I got this answers the questions you had and I did not mix up the DC-DC info.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #5 – October 09, 2019, 12:16:14 am

Thinking with good sun and running one ac, you will not even be thinking about generators or shore power.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #6 – October 09, 2019, 12:25:21 am

Quote from: jcus – October 09, 2019, 12:16:14 am

Thinking with good sun and running one ac, you will not even be thinking about generators or shore power.

That is the plan!

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #7 – October 09, 2019, 07:07:02 am

Would you be willing to share total cost when done?
Chris

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #8 – October 09, 2019, 07:52:37 am

Sounds awesome! We will need as many details and photos as possible, since you are "pushing the limits" with your install.

KEEP THE REPORTS COMING!

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #9 – October 09, 2019, 12:23:22 pm

Wow that's a pretty big setup. Waiting on the details and pics. Sure to be a cool project.
One thing though, all that solar on the roof makes for a very difficult footing up there. I only have 1500 watts and its pretty dicey getting around up there. Keep that in mind. You will have to go up from time to time.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #10 – October 09, 2019, 12:38:12 pm

Quote from: Bob and Julie – October 09, 2019, 12:23:22 pm

One thing though, all that solar on the roof makes for a very difficult footing up there. I only have 1500 watts and its pretty dicey getting around up there. Keep that in mind. You will have to go up from time to time.

Absolutely. If their new mounting technique works I will still be able to do my annual maintenance on my A/C units. We will see...

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #11 – October 09, 2019, 12:56:28 pm

Quote from: Chris m lang – October 09, 2019, 07:07:02 am

Would you be willing to share total cost when done?
Chris

Expensive

...I will have enough tax credit (this is the last year at 30% tax credit) to cover my taxes for a few years. I will not be able to provide my cost due to some special pricing I received being the guinea pig on some new equipment and installation techniques. If you go to AM Solar's webpage - amsolar.com - you will be able to estimate an order of magnitude of the cost.

We wanted to be able to not worry about plugging in or having to run the generator and still using all of our appliances and limited A/C. My only limiting factor will be water and waste disposal. We will now be able to pull into our children's driveway and visit without electric hookup or bothering the neighbors with generator noise. Did we have to have such a large system, absolutely not, but the peace of mind to us is worth it.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #12 – October 09, 2019, 03:34:46 pm

Quote from: valento – October 09, 2019, 12:56:28 pm

Expensive ...I will have enough tax credit (this is the last year at 30% tax credit) to cover my taxes for a few years. I will not be able to provide my cost due to some special pricing I received being the guinea pig on some new equipment and installation techniques. If you go to AM Solar's webpage - amsolar.com - you will be able to estimate an order of magnitude of the cost.

Safe to say $15-20K?

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #13 – October 09, 2019, 03:53:51 pm

Quote from: DavidS – October 09, 2019, 03:34:46 pm

Safe to say $15-20K?

I wish!

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #14 – October 09, 2019, 04:08:48 pm

Quote from: DavidS – October 09, 2019, 03:34:46 pm

Safe to say $15-20K?

Think batteries alone are over $10k.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #15 – October 09, 2019, 05:20:29 pm

Quote from: valento – October 09, 2019, 03:53:51 pm

I wish!

Perhaps David was just talking about the value of your estimated fed tax credit...

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #16 – October 09, 2019, 06:27:17 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – October 09, 2019, 05:20:29 pm

Perhaps David was just talking about the value of your estimated fed tax credit...

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #17 – October 09, 2019, 07:56:51 pm

Not much to show or report today for most of the work was done where I could not get any pictures. Lots of wire routing and building up of the panels they are going to install. Right at quitting time they put the first bank of panels up onto the roof. They bolted together sets of two Zamp 100W panels and two Zamp 90W long panels. These will have four anchor points that allow for tilting to the sides. By bolting them together in pairs it is theoretically supposed to give me enough room to get between them to tilt them towards the outside of the coach creating a larger walkway when I want to perform maintenance on my A/C units. These sets of two solar panels are in series and each set is in parallel to the Victron BlueSolar Smart MPPT 150/70-Tr VE.Can.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #18 – October 09, 2019, 08:13:39 pm

Quote from: valento – October 09, 2019, 07:56:51 pm

They bolted together sets of two Zamp 100W panels and two Zamp 90W long panels.

100W panels?? That will take 33 panels! Why not use 375W panels it would only take 9. Is there an advantage to 100w panels? Not criticizing just asking.

see ya
ken

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #19 – October 09, 2019, 08:13:56 pm

Sounds like you are going to make your coach into the first Foretravel Earthroamer. Hope this works out the way you want and you get many years and miles enjoying it Oscar and Janet.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #20 – October 09, 2019, 08:18:03 pm

Quote from: jcus – October 09, 2019, 04:08:48 pm

Think batteries alone are over $10k.

Forgot about the batteries.. couldnt get past the 24v system in a 12v coach

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #21 – October 09, 2019, 08:30:47 pm

Quote from: DavidS – October 09, 2019, 08:18:03 pm

Forgot about the batteries.. couldnt get past the 24v system in a 12v coach

My '81 FTX is set up for 24 volts. I bought a Xantrex 4024, 4000 watts continuous 11,000 watts surge 150 amp charger at 24 volts. I used it for 12 years after setting it up. Bought a military converter to power the 12 volts systems in the coach.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #22 – October 09, 2019, 09:04:13 pm

Quote from: kenhat – October 09, 2019, 08:13:39 pm

100W panels?? That will take 33 panels! Why not use 375W panels it would only take 9. Is there an advantage to 100w panels? Not criticizing just asking.

see ya
ken

With 100W and 90W and 115W sets in the other zone they are able to fit them into all the available space more efficiently. That is how I managed to get as much solar as I have planned. 9 375W panels would not fit on my 38' coach and fit around the 2 A/C units, 2 fantastic fans, Fridge vent, microwave exhaust vent, 2 tank vents, and 2 Hadley horns.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #23 – October 09, 2019, 10:59:57 pm

Quote from: valento – October 09, 2019, 09:04:13 pm

With 100W and 90W and 115W sets in the other zone they are able to fit them into all the available space more efficiently. That is how I managed to get as much solar as I have planned. 9 375W panels would not fit on my 38' coach and fit around the 2 A/C units, 2 fantastic fans, Fridge vent, microwave exhaust vent, 2 tank vents, and 2 Hadley horns.

Guess you are running series\parallel. What is the final voltage going into your solar controllers?

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #24 – October 09, 2019, 11:26:12 pm

Quote from: jcus – October 09, 2019, 10:59:57 pm

Guess you are running series\parallel. What is the final voltage going into your solar controllers?

Jim - If you mean total operating voltage AM Solar has posted on their website the operating voltage for each panel. So would thaT be 312V (12 100W with 20V operating voltage and 4 90W with 18V operating voltage) for one controller and 352V (14 100W with 20V operating voltage and 4 90W with 18V operating voltage)for the tother controller. I am not sure if I am properly answering your question so forgive me I gave you the wrong info. They once had 115W panels in the build but I see now I only have 100W and 90W panels in sets.

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