Another PV Install at AM Solar

Topic: Another PV Install at AM Solar (Read 4202 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #50 – October 12, 2019, 01:00:06 pm

Quote from: jcus – October 12, 2019, 12:38:50 pm

Oscar, I guess all electrical loads, including aqua-hot element will be able to run on inverter?

Yes, that is the plan. We will test it out while we are at AM Solar. But I may not run the aquahot of my electric for the diesel would be more efficient. I usually leave the aquahot off until we are ready to take showers at the end of the day and that is when we run the dishwasher too. When it gets colder we may have to leave it on during the night for heat. We, however, like it cool to sleep so I would probably just get up a little early and turn it on to warm up the coach in the morning. We should not have to worry about freezing temperatures so having it off during the night should not be a problem.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #51 – October 12, 2019, 01:23:51 pm

Are you using the transfer switches in the Quattro to switch between gen and shore power, or retain the Foretravel ATS?

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #52 – October 12, 2019, 03:50:42 pm

Quote from: jcus – October 12, 2019, 01:23:51 pm

Are you using the transfer switches in the Quattro to switch between gen and shore power, or retain the Foretravel ATS?

I do not know the answer to this question. I will ask on Monday.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #53 – October 13, 2019, 08:57:31 am

Couple of thoughts: 1. If that is the park that Don and Tish are in then I'll assume we can expect a solar upgrade from them, too. Also, 2. It's always interesting to find out what a project costs and noodle around to see if it fits in one's budget. Some things you guys do I would never consider. Nothing wrong with doing them but when we had the coach we had a lifestyle that didn't require that much electricity. I'm glad this stuff gets posted and am fascinated with the ingenuity on each project. Keep up the good work. Almost as much lurking on this site as it was owning a Foretravel, almost.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #54 – October 13, 2019, 12:05:47 pm

Don and Tys do live in the same Escapees park called Jajoba Hills. We have been a few times to visit and it is a lovely park. I would like to buy into it too but there may be one downside. Living that close to Don may see me following him with projects on our coach and never be able to get out due to coach being all in pieces.
Seriously, we enjoy seeing them and have become good friends.
Trouble is we now have 3 pieces of property here (just closing on another) so we are busy with things here.
JohnH

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #55 – October 14, 2019, 04:28:37 pm

Quote from: jcus – October 12, 2019, 01:23:51 pm

Are you using the transfer switches in the Quattro to switch between gen and shore power, or retain the Foretravel ATS?

Jim - Rather than making a mistake trying to explain what I was told this morning I am going to wait and post the schematic of what they are doing. I will get that later this week. They are having to do lot of rewiring for the original factory wiring with the smaller inverter would not be able to take the loads the new Victron will require.

Larry - Yes, I am lucky that Don and Tys are at Jojoba Hills RV Resort too. They are great people and having a Foretravel guru like Don available to answer questions that I may have will be wonderful.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #56 – October 17, 2019, 07:59:20 pm

Quote from: jcus – October 12, 2019, 01:23:51 pm

Are you using the transfer switches in the Quattro to switch between gen and shore power, or retain the Foretravel ATS?

Jim - Here is a generic schematic of how they are hooking up my Quattro with their Smart Phase Selector (SPS). Hope this answers you question. If you go to their website it explains how their SPS works: Smart Phase Selector (Patent Pending)

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #57 – October 17, 2019, 08:31:56 pm

Quote from: valento – October 17, 2019, 07:59:20 pm

Jim - Here is a generic schematic of how they are hooking up my Quattro with their Smart Phase Selector (SPS). Hope this answers you question. If you go to their website it explains how their SPS works: Smart Phase Selector (Patent Pending)

Wow! That is a sophisticated system. Those guys know what they are doing. Think you will be very happy with it.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #58 – October 18, 2019, 09:26:18 pm

End of week number 2. They plan to finish by the end of next week. Solar panels about 3/5 done and they are still working away with wiring everything up. Notice that the technician on the roof has the solar panels covered in cardboard that he is wiring into the J Box. The RV in the bay beside me finished up today so I could finally get a shot of the interior of the battery bay area behind my joey.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #59 – October 21, 2019, 07:22:52 pm

Solar panels are all on - 3320 watts. LifeBlue batteries all installed - 31,200Wh. Now they are finishing up all the rest of the wiring. Installing the Auto Gen Start is the last hurdle and they think they have a solution for that. Tentative finish date is this Thursday.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #60 – October 21, 2019, 07:50:16 pm

WOW!! Looks like a fantastic job!

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #61 – October 21, 2019, 07:55:00 pm

Quote from: valento – October 21, 2019, 07:22:52 pm

Solar panels are all on - 3320 watts. LifeBlue batteries all installed - 31,200Wh. Now they are finishing up all the rest of the wiring. Installing the Auto Gen Start is the last hurdle and they think they have a solution for that. Tentative finish date is this Thursday.

Are you willing to share the CB layout for the entire system?
Thanks
Chris

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #62 – October 21, 2019, 07:58:45 pm

Wow for sure!!!

I suspect the most expensive system they ever installed....... I know how much mine cost without a new inverter and just 1200W and lifeline batteries.........YIKES!!!!!

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #63 – October 21, 2019, 08:26:33 pm

Quote from: Chris m lang – October 21, 2019, 07:55:00 pm

Are you willing to share the CB layout for the entire system?
Thanks
Chris

Chris - I will not be able to do that for a lot of what they did to my coach was a first for them. All I can say was it took a LOT of CBs and if not for the 30% tax credit I probably would not have installed the system I am getting. You will be able to get a rough estimate by just going to the AM Solar website and looking up the hardware I am having installed. Their labor rate is $130/hr. I will have been here for about 3 weeks with multiple people working on my coach.

While I have been here I have seen many installations and also people coming back to add on to what AM Solar had already previously installed and they praise the work AM Solar had done for them. If you have the skills, tools, and cover to do this kind of work you will save lots of CBs. AM Solar will put together a kit to fit the needs you require and send it to you with wiring diagrams and all the parts you will need.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #64 – October 21, 2019, 08:39:10 pm

Quote from: rbark – October 21, 2019, 07:50:16 pm

WOW!! Looks like a fantastic job!

So far I am very satisfied with their work. I was really happy when they were able to put four of the eight LifeBlue batteries back into the battery compartment where my three GEL batteries were. That left me more storage in my Joey area than I was expecting. The solar on top is spaced far enough apart in the center to walk to the rear A/C unit from the rear ladder without having to tilt them up out of the way.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #65 – October 21, 2019, 09:38:22 pm

MORE PHOTOS! (when you have a chance to take them without getting in the way)

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #66 – October 26, 2019, 04:52:01 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – October 21, 2019, 09:38:22 pm

MORE PHOTOS! (when you have a chance to take them without getting in the way)

Almost finished! Two batteries during testing proved to be out of spec so AM Solar ordered replacements that are to arrive on Monday and be installed on Tuesday. Here are some pictures of the install. Where you see the foam blocks is where my two batteries will be going.

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #67 – October 26, 2019, 05:34:10 pm

Oscar, what are the different wattages of panels that were used, it looks like they used 2 different size panels.
Chris

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #68 – October 26, 2019, 05:47:49 pm

Oscar and Janet, Nice meeting you last week at AM Solar. Congratulations on your system. Now comes the best part, getting to travel with it and being self contained.

How do like the bluetooth? I have only the Victron battery moniter 712 and a Victron solar controller 150/85 TR, and find this so easy to monitor. (and so I've not so many sytems to moniter, do you primarily use the color monitor or the bluetooth?

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #69 – October 26, 2019, 07:19:53 pm

Quote from: Chris m lang – October 26, 2019, 05:34:10 pm

Oscar, what are the different wattages of panels that were used, it looks like they used 2 different size panels.
Chris

Chris,

26 each 100w
8 each 90w

Oscar

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #70 – October 26, 2019, 10:46:09 pm

Congrats Oscar! That install looks awesome. You'll need to post pics with the panels tilted showing your access. Thanks for blazing this path. Keep us updated on how they perform. A lot of us will probably follow in your footsteps. (more or less!)

see ya
ken

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #71 – October 27, 2019, 10:57:23 am

Bring it to California!!! 900,000 households with no power right now. We have been on the U300's generator for days. You could power a neighborhood or even a small town.

Bet your coach is cooler in summer with the panels keeping the sun off the roof.

Pierce

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #72 – October 27, 2019, 11:30:39 am

Well done guys and yes from me on AM SOLARS workmanship and quality.
Might be worth considering doing this on ours but will wait a bit to see how yours performs.
JohnH

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #73 – October 27, 2019, 01:17:01 pm

Guys/Gals,

This thread has taken a turn from the original topic.

PLEASE, back to the original topic, without political/social overtones.

Thanks.

Brett/moderator

Re: Another PV Install at AM Solar

Reply #74 – October 27, 2019, 02:27:02 pm

Oscar, what is the benefit of using 90 and 100 watt panels over say 325 watt panels? I'm not a solar guru so just wandering what the difference is?
Send me a PM if you don't want to get into details on forum
Chris

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