Tiny Homes / ADU

Tiny houses are great for solar power because the smaller space needs less power to meet your energy needs. A tiny homeowner can reduce their energy usage and power consumption. The electrical solar power system of an off-grid tiny home is very similar to that of an RV with the following exceptions: there is no alternator charging, shore power is a generator, and the roof surface for mounting panels is typically metal or asphalt shingles. A solar installation a great way to use renewable energy to power your adventure. Join the tiny house movement with a solar solution and minimize your energy consumption while improving energy efficiency.

Battery Bank

1.  Select a battery bank:  If you plan on running high current loads like a microwave, blender, or coffee pot, you will need at least 200Ah of battery capacity. If you plan to have an air conditioner or induction cooktop, we recommend at least 300Ah.

We sell LifeBlue batteries individually, or 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.

LifeBlue batteries come in three size configurations, choose what will fit best for your application.

100Ah: H 9.4″ x W 12.5″ x D 6.5″ 28lbs

200Ah: H 10.8″ x W 20″ x D 6.9″ 57lbs

300Ah: H 9.5″ x W 20.25″ x D 11″ 83lbs

 

  • 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...

    Quantity:
    from: $865.00

  • 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,...

    Quantity:
    from: $1,100.00

  • 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...

    Quantity:
    from: $905.00

Solar Charging

2. Design the solar charging system: Most of what AM Solar sells is designed for mobile applications, which are similar, except for the roofing and panel mounting methods. AM Solar RV mounts will attach to flat metal, or they can be bolted to a wooden frame. Mounts for asphalt shingle, or tile roofs would have to be purchased separately.

Tiny homes tend to have a lot of roof space which allows for a wide variety of solar array configurations. One of our favorite systems is 4x 200W solar panels on an 85A solar charge controller. This gives you room to add more panels in the future if you find you need more energy.

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

The Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controllers are compatible with any battery type, can work on 12V or 24V battery systems, and communicate status via Bluetooth.

  • Complete Solar Charger (50A)

    Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 700W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades, Panel(s) can be tilted...

    Quantity:
    from: $550.00

  • Complete Solar Charger (85A)

    Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 1200W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades, Panel(s) can be tilted

    Quantity:
    from: $1,120.00

  • Complete Solar Charger (100A)

    Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 1400W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades, Panel(s) can be tilted...

    Quantity:
    from: $1,200.00

  • Rich Solar 200W Solar Panel

    High wattage, using 6" cells, this panel is ideal for large systems where there is ample roof space. These modules come in a standard and higher-voltage version*. Please be sure to match your kit and/or module(s) to similar voltage profile modules. Please reach...

    • Wattage: 200W
    • Type: Monocrystalline
    • Nominal Voltage: 12V / 24V
    • Operating Voltage (Vmpp): 20.4V / 37.6V
    • Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 24.3V / 45.4V
    • Operating Current (Impp): 9.80A / 5.32A
    • Short Circuit Current (Isc): 10.2A / 5.83A
    • Size: 58.7" x 26.8" x 1.38" 26.5lbs
    • Frame: Silver Anodized Aluminum
    Quantity:
    from: $239.99

  • Zamp 170W Solar Panel

    Using 6" monocrystalline cells, this panel is ideal for large systems where there is ample roof space. Made in Bend, Oregon, United States Flash tested at 184W +/- 3% Zamp uses tempered, low iron, 3.2 mm, AR coated(which stands for anti-reflective) solar glass....

    Quantity:
    from: $585.00

  • 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
    Quantity:
    from: $260.00

  • 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...

    Out of stock

AC Input/Output

3.  Select an Inverter/Charger System:  The 3000VA and 5000VA options combine and inverter and a charger in one unit.  The charger/shore power portion would be applicable when plugging into a gas generator.  If a smaller system is preferred, stand-alone chargers/converters can be purchased along with stand-alone inverters.

  • MultiPlus 12/3000/120-50 120V VE.Bus 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 compact enclosure. Rated at 3000VA. Note: Some Keurig coffee makers are known to be incompatible with...

    Please select your battery type for Multiplus programming
    If you selected "Other" for battery type above, please provide battery make, model, absorption/float voltage settings below
    Product total
    Options total
    Grand total
    Quantity:
    from: $1,388.05

  • Quattro 5000 Inverter/Charger

    Similar to the MultiPlus, the Quattro is also a combined inverter and charger. Additionally, it can accept two AC inputs and automatically connect to the active source. Its many features include a true sine wave inverter, adaptive charging, hybrid PowerAssist technology plus multiple...

    Please select your battery type for Multiplus programming
    If you selected "Other" for battery type above, please provide battery make, model, absorption/float voltage settings below
    Product total
    Options total
    Grand total
    Quantity:
    from: $2,909.55
  • Victron Phoenix 1200VA Inverter Kit

    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...

    Quantity:
    $845.00

DC Distribution

4.  Add the DC Distribution Kit:   The DC Distribution kit protects your battery from over discharge and starts you off with one DC outlet (Dual USB & 12V) coming from a six position fuse block.

  • DC Distribution Kit for Drop-In Lithium Batteries

    This kit includes everything you need to connect DC loads to a battery bank. A Victron Battery Protect prevents the batteries from being overly discharged. The Battery Protect is designed to keep your battery safe and only allows current to flow to DC...

    Quantity:
    from: $295.00

  • 12V with USB DC Outlet

    Standard 12V outlet with dual USB AM Solar Part Number:  OUTLET-12USB

    • Dimensions: H 4.1" x W 1.8" x D 2.1"
    Quantity:
    $30.00

PreConfigured Complete System Examples (Obsolete kits)

 

  • Tree House 680W 400AhAGM 1200VA

    Tree House 680W 400AhAGM 1200VA

    - 4x 170W Solar Panels with mounts and wire harnesses - Mounts for metal roof included - 50A Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller with Bluetooth Communication - Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth Communication - 2x Lifeline 400Ah AGM 6V Batteries - 1200W...

    Out of stock

  • Tiny Home 1360W 800AhAGM 2000VA

    Tiny Home 1360W 800AhAGM 2000VA

    - 8x 170W Solar Panels with mounts and wire harnesses - Mounts for asphalt shingle roof included - 100A Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller with Bluetooth Communication - Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth Communication - 4x Lifeline 400Ah AGM 6V Batteries -...

    Out of stock

  • Mini Mansion 2720W 1200AhAGM 3000VA

    Mini Mansion 2720W 1200AhAGM 3000VA

    - 16x 170W Solar Panels with mounts and wire harnesses - Mounts for asphalt shingle roof included - Dual 100A Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller with Bluetooth Communication - Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth Communication and Color Control GX Monitor for full...

    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

  • Zamp 2 Pole Plug, PV Side

    AM Solar is my “go to” website and store for all my solar needs. They provide technical advice to help ensure you are choosing the correct components. Their parts and connectors are high quality and come with heat shrink cabling to ensure a water tight connection.

    Bryan S

  • Zamp ATP Prep Kit – Male

    This is a nice kit to have. Everything needed to attach your panel to the zamp box. Very slick. Highly recommend.

    Steve S

  • Roof Wire Harness Acc. Kit

    I enjoy doing business with AM Solar. All the employees have been there a long time. They know and use the products the sell. They are knowledgeable and very helpful. They are the first company I turn to for my Airstream solar needs.

    Keith W