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Old 02-16-2016, 12:59 PM   #21
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They saw you coming a mile away. Probably because you were hot to trot with bells and whistles w/o really knowing what it took to meet your plan. Knew a guy who had inherited a lot of $$ and ordered a custom designed Houseboat with crazy stuff. Now lots of people have special ordered hboats, but this guy went off the charts and managed to turn a $250k boat into a $375k.

Now back to the solar setup thing [which I admit I know nothing about] and see what happens if you ask someone to build you a solar system from the ground up instead of following up with an established company and picking one of there systems. Kind of like asking Jayco to build you a camper from the frame up and you pick everything.
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Old 02-16-2016, 01:33 PM   #22
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Ha ha ha, I think to some extent you may be right. Maybe it is about lithium batteries... I will start asking about a setup with AGMs and then after getting a quote I will change the specs to lithium
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Old 02-16-2016, 01:37 PM   #23
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What exactly is he going to do for 20hrs installing an inverter?
I hope he is waxing your rig and washing the roof too
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Old 02-16-2016, 02:56 PM   #24
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Ha ha ha, I think to some extent you may be right. Maybe it is about lithium batteries... I will start asking about a setup with AGMs and then after getting a quote I will change the specs to lithium
There are a couple of guys here on the forum who are pretty solar savey and are well beyond the basics. I'd listen to them and follow their advice on what to buy and whats involved to get it installed since it doesn't sound like you're a DYI kind of guy. I don't think its so much about the lithium batteries other than it signals to the guy giving the quote that you're up for spending some big bucks.
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Old 02-17-2016, 07:16 AM   #25
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I installed my own inverter in a matter of a couple or a few hours. Definitely, shop around.
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Old 02-17-2016, 07:25 AM   #26
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There is no way an experienced installer should take that long to install anything. Lithium vs AGM or Lead acid install times should all be the same. They just use slightly different equipment.
He should do all that in a day. Maybe a day and a half if he is a perfectionist.
I installed my solar system over the course of two days having never done it before and with many 2 and 3 year old distractions and "help".

I would say it is an 8-10 hour job.
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Old 02-17-2016, 09:02 AM   #27
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I talked to Solar Mike yesterday he said 8-10 hours MAX..
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Old 02-17-2016, 10:46 AM   #28
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The number of hours does not surprise me. Installation does take some time and you are asking for a lot of components. I'm sure AM Solar would do a really good job.

Just a side note: Did you see the article in the latest Trailer Life magazine about installing solar? They installed an AM Solar system with lithium batteries and all the works...maybe the article could help you understand all that is involved and why it could take such a long time. If you can't pick up a copy, PM me and I will send you the article. Best of luck...
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Old 02-17-2016, 06:19 PM   #29
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If you do decide to go with the LiFePO4 battery system you may want to keep this information available... Just in case.. Not saying you will ever need it... but the information is good to have

If fire or explosion occurs when batteries are on charge, shut off power to charger. In case of fire where lithium iron phosphate batteries are present, flood the area with water. If any batteries are burning, water may not extinguish them, but will cool the adjacent batteries and control the spread of fire. CO2, dry chemical, and foam extinguishers are preferred for small fires, but also may not extinguish burning lithium iron phosphate batteries. Burning batteries will burn themselves out. Virtually all fires involving lithium iron phosphate batteries can be controlled with water. When water is used, however, hydrogen gas may be evolved which can form an explosive mixture with air. LITH-X (powdered graphite) or copper powder fire extinguishers, sand, dry ground dolomite or soda ash may also be used. These materials act as smothering agents. Fire fighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus. Burning lithium iron phosphate batteries can produce toxic fumes including HF, oxides of carbon, aluminum, lithium, copper, and cobalt. Volatile phosphorus pent fluoride may form at a temperature above 230º Fahrenheit.

I believe that they also make a special fire extinguisher for use on these batteries.. I ran across it when I was researching LiFePO4 a few years ago. I decided to wait a few more years.

Don
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Old 02-18-2016, 12:20 AM   #30
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Thank you guys for all useful information!

Ddrueckh- are you referring to this article?

A Powerful Transformation

I just found a new report on solar powered AC

Off Grid Solar Powered RV Air Conditioning - Is it Possible? - Gone With The Wynns
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Old 03-07-2016, 01:57 PM   #31
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I have received another fee quote for labour only

Install Roof Top Solar Panels x 4, Wire panels to Combiner box thru RV Roof & Seal
Wire to Controller
Wire to Meter
Wire to Safety switches & Batteries, Anchor system & Test

Subtotal: $1,850


INVERTER: Install Inverter, Shunt, Monitor & Temp Sensor, Chase Wires & Test

Subtotal: $1,400

Remove 12v Battery(s) & Install 300Ah Lithium battery, Set up BMS system

Subtotal: $500

Total: $3,750

This looks better than the first quote I received. Still based on your feedback, probably this is a high side of the pricing (unless they charge $200 / hour).

Thanks!
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Old 03-07-2016, 03:35 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by bono View Post
I have received another fee quote for labour only

Install Roof Top Solar Panels x 4, Wire panels to Combiner box thru RV Roof & Seal
Wire to Controller
Wire to Meter
Wire to Safety switches & Batteries, Anchor system & Test

Subtotal: $1,850


INVERTER: Install Inverter, Shunt, Monitor & Temp Sensor, Chase Wires & Test

Subtotal: $1,400

Remove 12v Battery(s) & Install 300Ah Lithium battery, Set up BMS system

Subtotal: $500

Total: $3,750

This looks better than the first quote I received. Still based on your feedback, probably this is a high side of the pricing (unless they charge $200 / hour).

Thanks!

This is all just labor?
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Old 03-07-2016, 03:59 PM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bono View Post
I have received another fee quote for labour only

Install Roof Top Solar Panels x 4, Wire panels to Combiner box thru RV Roof & Seal
Wire to Controller
Wire to Meter
Wire to Safety switches & Batteries, Anchor system & Test

Subtotal: $1,850


INVERTER: Install Inverter, Shunt, Monitor & Temp Sensor, Chase Wires & Test

Subtotal: $1,400

Remove 12v Battery(s) & Install 300Ah Lithium battery, Set up BMS system

Subtotal: $500

Total: $3,750

This looks better than the first quote I received. Still based on your feedback, probably this is a high side of the pricing (unless they charge $200 / hour).

Thanks!

Hmmmmm ..... remove 12v Batteries .... My concern would be how is your RV's 12v system going to work with the new batteries. and as mentioned before. How are you going to isolate the components that need 12v when the RV is being towed?

And before I forget .....

Wow ..... if you include parts ..... you'd be looking at a price tag of 8-10K once its all done.

Kind Regards;

Ingo

Kind Regards;

Ingo
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Old 03-07-2016, 05:07 PM   #34
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Yes, this is labor only. Actually, I am thinking about $10-12k price tag.

In relation to technical matters - I have no idea how does it work, I am planning to pay guys who know the stuff. I won't be a test pilot. Many people are using similar setups.
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Old 03-18-2016, 02:15 PM   #35
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I talked to Solar Mike yesterday he said 8-10 hours MAX..
Seann, I have talked to Solar Mike and when time comes I think I will have him to install the setup. Thank you very much for suggesting him.
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