Airstream Trailers
Airstream trailer solar power systems are unique in several ways:
- A curved roof requires specialized mounting hardware.
- Limited roof space requires narrow solar panels.
- An external battery box limits the size of battery banks or requires the battery bank to be relocated.
- Solar pre-wires are frequently factored into the design.
The step-by-step guide below takes you through the myriad options and design considerations for developing a custom Airstream solar system.
Educational Videos for Airstreams
Battery bank
1. Select a battery bank: The battery bank is the heart of the system. We recommend LifeBlue lithium batteries because of their built-in Bluetooth monitoring, high quality, and ability to expand over time. If you can relocate your battery box under a bed or bench, you won’t be limited to two batteries.
We sell LifeBlue batteries as a base kit, which includes one battery, a Victron BMV-712 battery monitor, cable, lugs, and heat shrink, plus expansion kits, which include one battery and parallel cables. For two batteries, select one base kit and one expansion kit. If you want three batteries, get one base kit and two expansion kits.
Visit our Battery Bank product page to compare LifeBlue and Victron lithium battery sizing and specs.
When you upgrade to lithium batteries, you will need to replace your existing converter (likely a WFCO brand device) with something that is lithium compatible. Scroll down to step 4 for details on this.
If your plan is to run an air conditioner, support a 3000VA inverter, or have more than two batteries you will need to move your lithium battery system inside.
Do not let your lithium batteries get below -10° F. Lithium batteries will not charge below 32° F.
Estimated Installation Labor Cost
200Ah LifeBlue Lithium System with BMV-712: 10 hours / $1,450
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LiFeBlue Lithium Battery Bank with BMV-712 Monitor
This is a complete LiFeBlue lithium RV battery base kit with a Victron BMV-712 Bluetooth battery monitor. The monitor is included to provide cumulative battery bank data, compatible with Victron VRM monitoring. LiFeBlue offers the most comprehensive Bluetooth monitoring showing status, temperature, voltage,...
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LiFeBlue Lithium Battery Expansion Kit
This kit is designed to be an add-on to an existing LiFeBlue battery system. LiFeBlue offers the most comprehensive Bluetooth monitoring showing status, temperature, voltage, current, cycle life, battery health, faults and state of charge. These batteries can only be parallel connected due...
For larger systems, Victron lithium batteries are recommended because of their extremely compact footprint. Or, if you only need one battery, a monitor is not required for single LifeBlue battery.
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Victron Lithium Battery System with Monitor (Single Battery)
****Online Purchase for Local Pickup Only**** This kit is designed to work with one or two Victron lithium batteries. It does not use a Lynx Distributor to combine batteries. When adding alternator charging or DC distribution, be sure to use kits specifically recommended...
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Victron Lithium Battery System with Monitor (Multiple Battery)
This kit is designed to work with 1-4 Victron lithium batteries in 12V, or 2-8 Victron lithium batteries in 24V. It uses a Lynx Distributor to combine and fuse batteries. When adding alternator charging or DC distribution, be sure to use kits specifically...
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Victron Lithium Expansion Kit
****Online Purchase for Local Pickup Only**** Add a Victron Lithium battery to an existing Victron lithium system. Do not mix battery ratings in the same system. Parallel Expansion kits are for 12V battery systems. 24V battery systems can be built from an equal...
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LiFeBlue LiFePO4 12V Drop-In Battery
LiFeBlue lithium batteries have integrated controls to automatically protect against overcharging, overly discharging, and frozen charging. This integration makes installation much easier for DIY projects. LifeBlue offers the most comprehensive Bluetooth monitoring showing status, temperature, voltage, current, cycle life, battery health, Faults and...
Alternator Charging
2. Establish Tow Vehicle Compatibility: A 7-pin tow vehicle connection won’t allow for high current alternator charging, but you can get about 18A when you use a Victron Orion DC/DC charger on the trailer side of the connector. Another advantage of this kit is that it will prevent unwanted current flow from the trailer to the tow vehicle’s starter battery. This kit is not necessary with Flooded or AGM batteries.
With most tow vehicles and Airstream travel trailers, the 7-pin connector allows alternator charging of the trailer’s battery bank. The trailer’s seven-pin connector is typically hardwired leaving the tow vehicle responsible for charging the two battery systems. Unfortunately, many vehicles don’t have any protection built-in, which leaves both battery banks tied together when the trailer is plugged in. This is a major concern for lithium house batteries as their resting voltage is much higher than a typical tow vehicle engine battery. This causes the lithium battery to slowly discharge into the tow vehicle battery and because lead-acid batteries can dissipate energy in the form of heat, this will continue to happen until the lithium battery is below 20%, which could potentially cause damage to the lithium battery. This isn’t good for the system and can be avoided by installing this kit or simply unplugging the trailer when parked for longer periods of time.
This article on high current alternator charging may be interesting:
High Current Alternator Charging and the 7-Pin Connector
Estimated Installation Labor Cost
Tow Vehicle Compatibility with an 18A Orion: 1.5 hours / $218
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DC/DC Charging: Trailer, Truck Camper, 5th Wheel
Enable DC/DC charging from your alternator to a secondary Lithium, AGM, or Flooded battery bank. This kit is ideal for systems with older alternators or lithium batteries with input current limits under 100A. Ideal for: Trailers/5th Wheels/Truck Campers *Please note that cables length...
Solar Charging
3a. Design a solar charging system utilizing a factory pre-wire: If your Airstream trailer has one of the various “solar pre-wire” options, these can save a lot of time and money during an installation, but due to the thin (8ga or 10ga) cable, you will be limited to about 300W of solar panels. If this isn’t enough, skip down to section 3b. Otherwise, here are our recommendations:
A Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/20 or 100/30 charge controller can be installed along the pre-wire. Use the 100/20 model if you don’t plan on adding portable panels. Because these solar charge controller products use Bluetooth and have no display, they do not need to be mounted in a visible location and should be installed as close to the batteries as possible.
Victron charge controllers usually sense ambient temperature to allow for temperature compensated charging of lead-acid batteries. With an Airstream external battery box, we recommend a Bluetooth temp sensor to network with the charge controller. If you have a Victron battery monitor (BMV-712 or SmartShunt) with a temp sensor or lithium batteries, you will not need this device.
If you plan on using a portable panel, the 30A charge controller gives you enough extra capacity to route any side ports to the input of the charge controller, enabling all solar charging to be controlled on one device.
Estimated Installation Labor Cost
3 x 100W on 30A Controller with Pre-wire: 9 hours / $1,305
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Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/20 (12/24/48V-20A)
Using the latest, fastest technology, SmartSolar charge controllers maximize energy-harvest by driving current intelligently to achieve a full charge in the shortest possible time. SmartSolar charge controllers offer easy programing of charging profiles to match all battery chemistries using the VictronConnect Bluetooth app....
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Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 (30A)
Using the latest, fastest technology, SmartSolar charge controllers maximize energy-harvest by driving current intelligently to achieve a full charge in the shortest possible time. SmartSolar charge controllers offer easy programing of charging profiles to match all battery chemistries using the VictronConnect Bluetooth app.
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Victron Temp/Volt sensor for MPPT series
Read the voltage and temperature of a battery via Bluetooth on a smart phone. This device can also communicate with Victron SmartSolar charge controllers to send temperature data when the charge controller cannot be installed near the battery bank. Smart Networking Instructions Victron...
Add panel kits ending in SAE connectors if you have a Zamp three-port combiner box in your prewire.
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NOIR 100W Solar Panel
Custom designed by Grape Solar for mobile applications, this 100W panel is ideal for Airstreams trailers, vans, truck campers, and any application where roof space is limited. The Grape Solar NOIR 100W panel comes in several kit variants. Select the correct kit to...
- Wattage: 100W
- Type: Monocrystalline
- Operating Voltage (Vmp): 19.1V
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 23.1V
- Operating Current (Imp): 5.23A
- Short Circuit Current (Isc): 5.59A
- Size: 41" x 22" x 1.38" 15.4lbs
- Frame: Black Anodized Aluminum
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NOIR 110W Solar Panel
Custom designed by Grape Solar for mobile applications, this 110W panel is ideal for Airstreams trailers, vans, truck campers, and any application where roof space is limited. The Grape Solar NOIR 110W panel comes in several kit variants. Select the correct kit to...
- Wattage: 110W
- Type: Monocrystalline
- Operating Voltage (Vmp): 21.3V
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 25.7V
- Operating Current (Imp): 5.18A
- Short Circuit Current (Isc): 5.60A
- Size: 68" x 15.4" x 1.38" 17.9lbs
- Frame: Black Anodized Aluminum
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Zamp Obsidian 90W L Solar Panel
This panel has it all, a low-profile, a narrow footprint, and high output. It is ideal for van conversions, Airstreams, or anyone wanting the latest in mobile solar panel technology. Custom-engineered by Zamp Solar and made in Bend, Oregon. Narrow Footprint: Perfect for...
- Wattage: 90W
- Type: Monocrystalline
- Operating Voltage (Vmp): 18.0V
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 23.8V
- Operating Current (Imp): 5.0A
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Zamp Obsidian 100W Solar Panel
This panel has it all, a low-profile, a narrow footprint, and high output. It is ideal for van conversions, Airstreams, or anyone wanting the latest in mobile solar panel technology. Custom-engineered by Zamp Solar and made in Bend, Oregon. High Performance: By using...
- Wattage: 100W
- Type: Monocrystalline
- Operating Voltage (Vmp): 21.9V
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 25.62V
- Operating Current (Imp): 4.83A
- Short Circuit Current (Isc): 4.58A
- Size:: 20.7" x 43.6" x 0.67" 10.78lbs
- Frame:: Obsidian Black Anodized Aluminum
Use Teroson sealant for the mount feet on an Airstream roof. You can also add portable panels. If you want to use a portable panel, we recommend oversizing the central charge controller so it can handle both the roof array and the portable panel.
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TEROSON MS 5510 Sealant (legacy)
Ideal for Airstream roofs, Teroson protects the VHB tape from the elements and is UV rated. Use it to seal around mount feet, cable management hardware, and combiner boxes attached to roofs. Do not use Teroson on TPO roofs. TEROSON® MS 5510™ WHITE...
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Zamp Side Port Integration Kits
These kits integrate a Zamp side port to either an existing solar charging core or directly to the battery bank. Ideal for Zamp folding panels that are regulated (Zamp Side Port to Battery Kit) or unregulated (Zamp Side Port to Central Controller Kit).
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Zamp 15' Extension w/ 2 Pole plugs
15' extension cable for use with Zamp panels AM Solar Part Number: CABLE-10GA-2-15EXTNSN
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Zamp Z180 - 180W Folding Panel with Case
Portable panels are an excellent option for rigs with limited roof space and the Zamp folding panels are some of the best we have found. These portable panels do not have a charge controller. They are meant to be used in a "solar...
3b. Design a solar charging system without utilizing a prewire: If you want more than 300W of solar or don’t have a factory pre-wire, here are our recommendations. These options will require you to make a roof penetration and route a cable down the back of a closet. This isn’t nearly as challenging as it sounds, and you can watch a video on the procedure here
For a complete explanation of everything you would want to know about how to design a solar charging system, check out our Solar Charger Design Guide
These solar charging kits use the AM Solar combiner box and give you everything you need to create a solar charging system:
30A Kit (up to 440w) – Ideal for up to four roof-mounted panels with no portables, or two roof-mounted panels with a 180-200w portable panel.
50A Kit (up to 700w) – Add up to seven roof-mounted 100w panels or a combination of rooftop and portable panels.
85A Kit (up to 1200w) – This is the deluxe option, ideal for maxed-out roofs.
Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controllers are compatible with any battery type, can work on 12V or 24V battery systems, and communicate status via Bluetooth to the VictronConnect app.
Estimated Installation Labor Cost
4 x 100W on a 50A Controller: 17 hours / $2,465>/p>
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Complete Solar Charger (30A)
These kits offer everything one may need in order to put up to 440W onto an existing battery bank. With the advanced MPPT charge controller and Bluetooth communication, these kits form an ideal foundation for a medium power system mounted to a rigid...
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Complete Solar Charger (50A)
These kits offer everything one may need in order to put up to 700W onto an existing battery bank. With the advanced MPPT charge controller and Bluetooth communication, these kits form an ideal foundation for a medium power system mounted to a rigid...
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Complete Solar Charger (85A)
These kits offer everything one may need in order to put up to 1200W onto an existing battery bank. With the advanced MPPT charge controller and Bluetooth communication, these kits form an ideal foundation for a large power system mounted to a rigid...
Add solar panel kits ending in 10/2 cable and get one tube of Teroson sealant for every three panels:
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NOIR 100W Solar Panel
Custom designed by Grape Solar for mobile applications, this 100W panel is ideal for Airstreams trailers, vans, truck campers, and any application where roof space is limited. The Grape Solar NOIR 100W panel comes in several kit variants. Select the correct kit to...
- Wattage: 100W
- Type: Monocrystalline
- Operating Voltage (Vmp): 19.1V
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 23.1V
- Operating Current (Imp): 5.23A
- Short Circuit Current (Isc): 5.59A
- Size: 41" x 22" x 1.38" 15.4lbs
- Frame: Black Anodized Aluminum
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NOIR 110W Solar Panel
Custom designed by Grape Solar for mobile applications, this 110W panel is ideal for Airstreams trailers, vans, truck campers, and any application where roof space is limited. The Grape Solar NOIR 110W panel comes in several kit variants. Select the correct kit to...
- Wattage: 110W
- Type: Monocrystalline
- Operating Voltage (Vmp): 21.3V
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 25.7V
- Operating Current (Imp): 5.18A
- Short Circuit Current (Isc): 5.60A
- Size: 68" x 15.4" x 1.38" 17.9lbs
- Frame: Black Anodized Aluminum
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Zamp Obsidian 100W Solar Panel
This panel has it all, a low-profile, a narrow footprint, and high output. It is ideal for van conversions, Airstreams, or anyone wanting the latest in mobile solar panel technology. Custom-engineered by Zamp Solar and made in Bend, Oregon. High Performance: By using...
- Wattage: 100W
- Type: Monocrystalline
- Operating Voltage (Vmp): 21.9V
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 25.62V
- Operating Current (Imp): 4.83A
- Short Circuit Current (Isc): 4.58A
- Size:: 20.7" x 43.6" x 0.67" 10.78lbs
- Frame:: Obsidian Black Anodized Aluminum
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TEROSON MS 5510 Sealant (legacy)
Ideal for Airstream roofs, Teroson protects the VHB tape from the elements and is UV rated. Use it to seal around mount feet, cable management hardware, and combiner boxes attached to roofs. Do not use Teroson on TPO roofs. TEROSON® MS 5510™ WHITE...
AC Input/output
4. Select an Inverter/Charger System: The Victron Multiplus inverter/chargers combine an inverter and a charger in one unit. They also offer PowerAssist, which means that they can combine shore power with battery power when necessary. Our kits come with everything you need to upgrade an Airstream trailer.
For a 30A Airstream trailer, you will want kit a 30A Inverter/Charger kit. If your Airstream has a 50A AC panel, you will want the Multiplus-II 2 x 120.
In order to fully support the 3000VA inverter, you will need a battery bank that can handle 300A of current outflow or three LifeBlue batteries. A 3000VA will work on a smaller battery bank, but will only work like a 2000VA inverter if only two batteries are used.
If you plan on running an air conditioner, you will need the 3000VA inverter system with an Easy Start kit for each air conditioner.
Estimated Installation Labor Cost
Multiplus Inverter (RV Upgrade Kit)
17 hours / $2,465
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30A Inverter/Charger Kits
Our 30A Inverter/Charger kits are designed for rigs that have a 30A AC service (3 Wire / L1- N -G), and that already have a 30A AC distribution panel and Shore power connection. Our Full-Pass Kits are designed to be installed between your...
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50A Inverter/Charger Kits
Our 50A Inverter/Charger kits are designed for rigs that have a 50A AC service (4 Wire / L1- L2 - N -G), and that already have a 50A AC distribution panel and Shore power connection. Our Full-Pass Kits are designed to be installed...
For smaller Airstream trailers, the Multiplus 2000VA is popular choice, as well as a standalone 1200W inverter with a separate charger.
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MultiPlus 12/2000/80-50 - 120V Inverter/Charger
The MultiPlus is a powerful true sine wave inverter, a sophisticated battery charger that features adaptive charge technology and a high-speed AC transfer switch in a single enclosure. Rated at 2000VA. Note: Some Keurig coffee makers are known to be incompatible with inverters....
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Victron Phoenix 1200VA Inverter Kit
This kit includes all the standard components for the do-it-yourself installation of a Victron Phoenix 1200 inverter system. This inverter offers Bluetooth communication compatibility through a dongle and is ideal for refrigerators, laptops, entertainment centers, and cell phone chargers. Wiring Diagram Due to...
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Victron Blue Smart Chargers
The Blue Smart Charger is a professional-grade battery charger with built-in Bluetooth. The Blue Smart Charger can be used on devices in your workshop and on motor vehicles, such as cars; motorbikes; boats and camper-vans. Kit option for the 30A IP22 includes wiring,...
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EasyStart 364 Soft Start Kit
Easy start kits are typically installed on air conditioning units where the start-up surge might overwhelm an inverter. This kit also comes in a recommended Bluetooth version that allows for diagnostic feedback. Please note that the Bluetooth module does NOT allow you to...
5. Optional components and tools:
You may consider including these items in your purchase. Tools – Make sure you have something equivalent to everything on the top row of this page.
Tech Support – Each kit comes with a set amount of free tech support, if you feel you may exceed that, you can purchase more here
PreConfigured Complete System Examples (Obsolete kits)
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Weekender 180W 220Ah AGM 800VA 15A
- 2x 90W Solar Panels with mounts and wire harnesses - 15A Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller with Bluetooth Communication - Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth Communication - 2x Lifeline 220Ah AGM 6V Batteries - 800W Victron Phoenix pure sine inverter with...
Out of stock
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Adventurer 400W 200AhLi 2000VA 80A
- 4x 100W Zamp solar panels with mounts and wire harnesses - 30A Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller with Bluetooth communication - Victron BMV-712 battery monitor with Bluetooth communication - 200Ah lithium drop-in batteries - Low current alternator charging - 2000VA Victron Multiplus...
Out of stock
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Deluxe Upgrade 600W 600AhLi 3000VA 120A
- 6x 100W Solar Panels with mounts and wire harnesses - 50A Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller with Bluetooth Communication - Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth Communication - 600Ah Lithium System with AMS V4 Victron battery protections - 3000VA Victron Multiplus pure...
Out of stock
Temperature Sensor for BMV-712
Support from AMSolar is definitely 5 stars. 1st line of support for Victron equipment provided through distributors. AMSolar likely one of the best when it comes to RVs.
Tom B