The content is top notch! Thanks for the information!! I felt comforted that I am going in the right direction. BTW, my quote to add solar to my Airstream was $19,000 plus tax!
Great Webinar Presentation! I learned so much for this webinar! You might have convinced me to link Lithium batteries to my existing solar panels and add portable. Thank you, always, for your thorough presentation and your dedication to all Airstreamers.
Thanks, Randy! Unfortunately, due to unpredictable costs we no longer ship to Canada. If you are visiting the US we can ship to a campground or if you are coming out west, we offer order pickup from our Santa Fe, New Mexico warehouse, which is right off Interstate 25.
Everything runs on solar during high solar exposure hours. Batteries only are needed for the times when the solar panels aren't providing enough electricity to run live loads.
To clarify, nothing "runs on solar" *directly*. The solar panels charge and maintain the batteries. All electrical appliances are connected directly to *battery* power. If there's enough sun, the solar panels can maintain the batteries but the appliances (what you're calling "live loads") are still connected to the batteries only.
I would challenge some of the conclusions about LifePO4 batteries. It’s not good for them to leave then charged, you need to partially discharge them at intervals of about 2-3 months or they do degrade and lose capacity. Many of the solar battery makers like Ecoflow describe this for their LifePO4 based batteries.
We're not aware of any major manufacturers of LiFePO4 batteries for RVs who have made such a recommendation. Battle Born, for example, says the opposite: "We recommend bringing the Battle Born batteries to a 100% state of charge. Then, disconnect the battery from any loads by removing the negative cable from one battery." In any case, a partial charge/discharge cycle will occur in normal use (just by camping for few hours without a power hookup).
Thanks for the video. My new 23' FC just arrived at the dealership. We went by to see it last week. It does not have any batteries but the lights were running off of the solar. I found this interesting because I thought the solar only charged the batteries.
Starting with 2023 models, Airstream has changed the wiring slightly so that solar can power the trailer with no battery in the circuit. This is so they can put trailers on dealer lots with no batteries in them. The batteries get installed at time of purchase.
I enjoyed the webinar and I wanted to add one thing. Charge controllers have to be configured to the battery type they control. When I upgrade to Lithium I will have to change the charge controller from Lead Acid to Lithium or they will not charge the new batteries.
Yes, we covered this in the webinar. Not only the charge controller, but if you have rooftop solar panels you will likely have to change or reprogram the solar charge controller too.
The link to your airgear website does not work for me. I have tried multiple browsers and always get the same message that the site cannot be accessed. Am I doing something wrong?
Most Teslas are made with Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. Lithium Ion and phosphate batteries are 3x less likely, according to hard data, to catch fire compared to let’s say, your gas tank and internal combustion engine vehicles.
I think this needs some clarification. *Some* Teslas have Lithium Iron (not "Ion") Phosphate batteries, also known as LiFePO4 batteries or "LFP" batteries. They are indeed less likely to burn, which is one of the reasons why they are used in RVs. However, many Teslas (including ones we've owned) have Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum (NCA) batteries, or Lithium Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) batteries which will burn dramatically. If you've seen a video of an electric car, scooter, or e-bike burning, one of these chemistries was probably used in the batteries. Because most people refer to all of the various chemistries as "lithium batteries" it's easy to mix them up. People get frightened by LiFePO4 Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries for this reason, even though they are generally accepted as safe for use in RV applications.
You sell a “car generator” - I drive a Ford 350 duality for my Caravel 2023 22fb. Will the car generator that you sell work on my truck? Yes, truck is overkill for trailer but I also have a gooseneck horse trailer with living quarters that I drive.
Rich, Great Video - Thank you!!! One question, below is some background. - I have a 2019 Globetrotter - Currently have AGM batteries and looking to upgrade to BattleBorn Lithium. - I do NOT have any roof-mounted solar panels and do NOT plan to have panels installed on my roof. - I’m looking to purchase your 200W portable solar kit off the Air Gear store. ?? - Do I need to install a solar charge controller separate from the solar charge controller that comes with the portable solar kit??? Thank you in advance and keep up the great work. Lee H - BR#:16242
Hi Lee - thanks for the positive feedback. No, you will not have to change the charge controller. Our Portable Solar Kit comes ready to plug into the solar port and use as-is.
The content is top notch! Thanks for the information!! I felt comforted that I am going in the right direction. BTW, my quote to add solar to my Airstream was $19,000 plus tax!
Glad we could help build your confidence! (And from what it sounds like, save you some $).
Excellent presentation. Sorry I could not make the Webinar, but thanks for sending the link.
Great Webinar Presentation! I learned so much for this webinar! You might have convinced me to link Lithium batteries to my existing solar panels and add portable. Thank you, always, for your thorough presentation and your dedication to all Airstreamers.
Glad it was helpful!
These webinars are so incredibly informative. Please keep it up
Glad you like them!
Thanks so much for posting this. I had signed up for the livestream, but was unable to attend. LOTS of great info here. Thanks again!
You're very welcome!
Thanks for the informative presentation on solar electric & Lithium batteries. Keep up all of the great work and outstanding webinars!
Thank you!
Love your video blogs and Airgear site… lots of useful information and stuff (I’m assuming that your prices are in US Dollars, do you ship to Canada?
Thanks, Randy! Unfortunately, due to unpredictable costs we no longer ship to Canada. If you are visiting the US we can ship to a campground or if you are coming out west, we offer order pickup from our Santa Fe, New Mexico warehouse, which is right off Interstate 25.
Everything runs on solar during high solar exposure hours. Batteries only are needed for the times when the solar panels aren't providing enough electricity to run live loads.
To clarify, nothing "runs on solar" *directly*. The solar panels charge and maintain the batteries. All electrical appliances are connected directly to *battery* power.
If there's enough sun, the solar panels can maintain the batteries but the appliances (what you're calling "live loads") are still connected to the batteries only.
@@airgear I'm talking net which is what matters.
I would challenge some of the conclusions about LifePO4 batteries. It’s not good for them to leave then charged, you need to partially discharge them at intervals of about 2-3 months or they do degrade and lose capacity. Many of the solar battery makers like Ecoflow describe this for their LifePO4 based batteries.
We're not aware of any major manufacturers of LiFePO4 batteries for RVs who have made such a recommendation. Battle Born, for example, says the opposite: "We recommend bringing the Battle Born batteries to a 100% state of charge. Then, disconnect the battery from any loads by removing the negative cable from one battery."
In any case, a partial charge/discharge cycle will occur in normal use (just by camping for few hours without a power hookup).
Thanks for the video. My new 23' FC just arrived at the dealership. We went by to see it last week. It does not have any batteries but the lights were running off of the solar. I found this interesting because I thought the solar only charged the batteries.
Starting with 2023 models, Airstream has changed the wiring slightly so that solar can power the trailer with no battery in the circuit. This is so they can put trailers on dealer lots with no batteries in them. The batteries get installed at time of purchase.
I enjoyed the webinar and I wanted to add one thing. Charge controllers have to be configured to the battery type they control. When I upgrade to Lithium I will have to change the charge controller from Lead Acid to Lithium or they will not charge the new batteries.
Yes, we covered this in the webinar. Not only the charge controller, but if you have rooftop solar panels you will likely have to change or reprogram the solar charge controller too.
I prefer lead acid.. they can be refubished.. mine are 15 years old work just fine still..
The link to your airgear website does not work for me. I have tried multiple browsers and always get the same message that the site cannot be accessed. Am I doing something wrong?
You need to talk to your internet service provider. They’re blocking our site and obviously shouldn’t be.
Most Teslas are made with Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. Lithium Ion and phosphate batteries are 3x less likely, according to hard data, to catch fire compared to let’s say, your gas tank and internal combustion engine vehicles.
I think this needs some clarification.
*Some* Teslas have Lithium Iron (not "Ion") Phosphate batteries, also known as LiFePO4 batteries or "LFP" batteries. They are indeed less likely to burn, which is one of the reasons why they are used in RVs.
However, many Teslas (including ones we've owned) have Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum (NCA) batteries, or Lithium Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) batteries which will burn dramatically. If you've seen a video of an electric car, scooter, or e-bike burning, one of these chemistries was probably used in the batteries.
Because most people refer to all of the various chemistries as "lithium batteries" it's easy to mix them up. People get frightened by LiFePO4 Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries for this reason, even though they are generally accepted as safe for use in RV applications.
You sell a “car generator” - I drive a Ford 350 duality for my Caravel 2023 22fb. Will the car generator that you sell work on my truck? Yes, truck is overkill for trailer but I also have a gooseneck horse trailer with living quarters that I drive.
We no longer sell CarGenerator, but you can get detailed information about this product at cargenerator.com
Rich,
Great Video - Thank you!!! One question, below is some background.
- I have a 2019 Globetrotter
- Currently have AGM batteries and looking to upgrade to BattleBorn Lithium.
- I do NOT have any roof-mounted solar panels and do NOT plan to have panels installed on my roof.
- I’m looking to purchase your 200W portable solar kit off the Air Gear store.
?? - Do I need to install a solar charge controller separate from the solar charge controller that comes with the portable solar kit???
Thank you in advance and keep up the great work.
Lee H - BR#:16242
Hi Lee - thanks for the positive feedback. No, you will not have to change the charge controller. Our Portable Solar Kit comes ready to plug into the solar port and use as-is.