Super Solar Flex

[Fishsizzle]

Anyone heard about this? I wonder if it will trickle down, or perhaps we can use it as a pattern for retrofitting

Seems like an about time idea . But do a lot of people boondock in a Montana?


https://www.keystonerv.com/upper-nav...per-solarflex/

[GHen]

I did just see that this morning. It’s about time solar was a factory option. The real question is how much is it and is it less expensive to add it after purchase.

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by GHen

I did just see that this morning. It’s about time solar was a factory option. The real question is how much is it and is it less expensive to add it after purchase.

Yep, I look at the batteries alone and see big bucks

[sourdough]

The little ad says the option is $19,500. Hmmm, yep, I don't boondock anymore!!

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by sourdough

The little ad says the option is $19,500. Hmmm, yep, I don't boondock anymore!!

Wow.............

[GHen]

I actually could see $14,000, maybe.... it’s all top of the line stuff
1000watts of solar
510 amp hour lithium
Battery heaters
60 amp controller charger
3,000 watt inverter
Dual 50amp transfer switches
Energy Management system
Coleman Mach Powersaver A/C

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by GHen

I actually could see $14,000, maybe.... it’s all top of the line stuff
1000watts of solar
510 amp hour lithium
Battery heaters
60 amp controller charger
3,000 watt inverter
Dual 50amp transfer switches
Energy Management system
Coleman Mach Powersaver A/C

From what I’ve read it’s seems like nice stuff. I haven’t followed up on the solar panels these use. But nice inverter and the ACs are nice

[Camp CA]

Originally Posted by Fishsizzle

Anyone heard about this?............ [/url]

We have the factory-installed Solar Flex and was a good upgrade at a relatively small cost adder vs. Super Soar Flex. Keeps the battery charged and can pre-cool the refrigerator/ freezer prior to and while towing and allows us to boondock when we want.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltbWLpsIjl4

[McRod]

Originally Posted by Fishsizzle

Anyone heard about this? I wonder if it will trickle down, or perhaps we can use it as a pattern for retrofitting

Seems like an about time idea . But do a lot of people boondock in a Montana?


https://www.keystonerv.com/upper-nav...per-solarflex/

I boondock exclusively in my Big Sky. In every state in the US.
Boondocking's not just for truck campers and RPOD's!

[McRod]

Originally Posted by GHen

I did just see that this morning. It’s about time solar was a factory option. The real question is how much is it and is it less expensive to add it after purchase.

I have almost that exact system they are promoting on my Big Sky going on 4 years now. My cost to purchase and install was ~$9,500 including 2 soft starts for the ACs.. Only difference in their system is the lithium batteries ( I have 8 x 6V 225AH), but roughly the same usable amps. They also have a transfer switch, which I don't. And they are promoting some system management software. Their marketing makes it seem like it's hard to do, but it's very easy. Connect black wire to black post, red wire to red post!

$20k vs $10k. I dunno. Most who have rigs that size are pavement queens. Those that boondock probably aren't afraid to buy it and self install...

[GaryUT]

I would be happy if the "solar prep" included a weatherproof cable entry box on the roof and a conduit from the box to the storage bay.

[GHen]

McRod, I think you are right on with $9500. If you take the 19,000 list, take your 35% discount off of list when you buy it, install some of it yourself and back off a little on the high end components and it can be done under 10 grand pretty easy.

[Fishsizzle]

Thanks for input.

The batteries are probably $1k each and switch plus labor pushes it a little. The weight savings is huge as well.

I’m not in a position to buy., or boondock anytime soon, even though that might be the only camping available this year!

[moodman]

Originally Posted by McRod

I have almost that exact system they are promoting on my Big Sky going on 4 years now. My cost to purchase and install was ~$9,500 including 2 soft starts for the ACs..

So, I am wondering about how you use AC with solar. How long can you run AC in moderate temps on battery power?

[moodman]

Retrofitting this system might be easier than you think. The existing 50Amp shore power connector can be spliced to allow power coming from a solar system. Of course, everything has to be beefed up (inverter, number of batteries, disconnect switch, etc.)
But I would also put disconnect switches on heavy power draw circuits, like the microwave, or big TVs. Of course, you can do this just by switching the affected circuit breakers, but in my Montana the circuit breaker panel is in an awkward place.

[GHen]

Originally Posted by moodman

So, I am wondering about how you use AC with solar. How long can you run AC in moderate temps on battery power?

Some else might do better math than me, but here is my guess.
This is a special AC and is only 1075 watts, I think most AC’s are around 1500 watts. 1075 watts is about 9 amps at 120 volts, I think that’s about 90 amps at 12 volts. The system has 510 usable amps so you would only have about 5 hours of AC use and the batteries would be close to dead. That does not account for the possible 1000 watts of solar recharging while using the ac. The solar will probably average around 50 amps at 12 volts if they have full sun, so that would cut your battery usage in half, or allow you to use the AC for up to 10 hours, if you had full sun.

Ok solar guys, am I close to correct?

[SR71 Jet Mech]

My system is in the $5K range. I also don’t have a transfer switch (I shut off the converter manually), I also have FLA batteries. I will upgrade to lithium’s in the next couple of years.

The biggest problem I find is “full sun” doesn’t yield “full solar output” most of the time. So with my 1100w system most of the time it peaks between 750w and 900w. Still plenty....but.

Once the batteries are charged, I can run one a/c unit most of the day (from after lunch...ish) and it will deplete batteries to around 85-90% and still have time to recharge before I loose sun or ability to charge. I do have a residential fridge and most nights I never drop below 65% SOC. I do carry a 2K champion gen and have an inverter/Charger that will output 85a charging. Usually set it at 60a.

I split my solar into two arrays, one 500w system mounted to the roof, separate Victron mppt, the other is 4 150w (600w) epever mppt. I move around to ensure I’m always able to soak up some sun (portable). Math, the 600w system will output 50a at full song (when available) and the 500 will output roughly 40a.

We run everything from coffee maker to micro, a/c from time to time. WH on propane. I just wish I didn’t have to dump.

I too am looking at something different for a/c to save some current. Have a couple ideas, not sure yet what I’m gonna do. Hasn’t been a huge issue to this point. Just something to play with.

[GHen]

SR71, what is your battery setup?

[Steve d]

two used 300 watt 40 volt residential panels 150.00
one used 40 amp Tracer controller w/remote monitor 75.00
25 ft 10ga solar wire ( Ebay ) 29.00
aluminum 2" angle for solar brackets 31.00
two group 31 12 volt 120 ah fla batteries 280.00
convert to all led lighting (36 lights) 48.00
one used 150 watt full sine inverter for TV 28.00
_______
641.00 total
29 ft Cougar fifth wheel
Heat with a 6000btu Olympic Wave
Never see batteries below 12.25v soc using 43" TV and lights
5 hrs a 12v cpap all night.
Microwave, DW hairdryer and AC use the Yamaha 2800 inverter generator
one at a time for very short period of time. (Annoying)

[McRod]

Originally Posted by moodman

So, I am wondering about how you use AC with solar. How long can you run AC in moderate temps on battery power?

I don't run ACs from batteries. I run them from backup generator. It's almost pointless to build that capacity for a single use.

If you look close at that pic I posted you can see my 50amp cable on back of RV running forward under RV to generator under RV in middle driver's side.