How Much Solar Power Do I Need? This seems to be the most common question we come across.  The answer is…  300W (mic drop) You always remember your first solar panel. …Not really, although in most cases, 300W is a pretty good answer. The real answer depends on what you want the solar to do for you, and hopefully your expectations are in line with the realm of possibilities, limited by budget, space constraints, and how much power the sun delivers per square foot to your part of planet Earth.   Since a system can be expanded over time, the most important constraint is the physi ..read more

Don’t Mount Flexible Panels Directly to Your Roof   It’s been about five years since I last wrote about Flexible Solar Panels and my views still haven’t changed, people (end users and RV dealerships) haven’t stopped mounting them on RV roofs, and the technology hasn’t really advanced.  It’s still a bad idea to mount flexible panels directly to the roof of your RV, but RV dealers, manufacturers, and owners still do it, and our installation crew frequently gets tasked with removing them.   Below are some pictures of a recent job where the client wanted to replace their flexible pa ..read more

Are you considering upgrading your RV's power system? As your energy needs change and your batteries near the of their life, you might be wondering whether to take on the installation yourself or to hire a professional to do it for you. At AM Solar, we can help you with either option.  We have been installing power systems on RVs since 2002.  Over the decades, we’ve seen just about everything and polished our technique to a high level of electrical artistry.  Our installation department is not just a place for hardware installation; it also serves as our research and developme ..read more

A Do-It-Yourself lead recently approached us regarding a power system upgrade to their 5th Wheel.  After some back and forth, we settled on a design that we felt would meet their needs, allowing them “to enjoy the comforts of home wherever you decide to park it.”  We crunched our numbers and delivered the quote. With some confusion, the lead called back and said that they had a quote from a competitor that came in at about 1/3rd the price of our quote.  We explained that we put a lot of effort into figuring out exactly what was needed to power their loads, and for the price to ..read more

Since AM Solar was incorporated in 2002, we have installed power systems on nearly everything with wheels and quite a few things without wheels.  Here are some of the most popular wheeled recreational vehicles and what we typically put on them. 2022 Mercedes Sprinter We call them FunHogs.  They drive around the country and soak up all the fun while everyone else watches them on Instagram.  Usually, these vans are enjoyed by just one or two people, visiting hiking hot spots and ski lodges. Van Conversion Guide: https://amsolar.com/products/solar-van-conversions    Powe ..read more

Getting the most out of your solar array in partial shade. Are you a Class A or 5th Wheel owner struggling to find a solar panel that can efficiently power your RV with obstructions like A/C units, antennas, and vents casting shadows?  You’re not alone.  As you drive and the sun moves in the sky, these obstructions can drastically reduce the output of traditional solar panels.   With a traditional solar panel, all of the cells are connected in series.  This means that something even as small as a pencil, laid across one cell, can dramatically reduce the output of the solar ..read more

Has a dead starter battery ever complicated your camping experience?  If the answer is "yes", don't get too down on yourself. This is a tale as old as boondocking, and you are surely not the first to experience this.   To get started, let’s make sure we are all on the same page with our terminology: Chassis Battery, Engine Battery, Starter Battery – These terms are all used to describe the battery that starts the vehicle’s ignition. House Battery, Coach Battery, Auxiliary Battery – These terms describe the battery that runs most of the RV’s loads.  It is freque ..read more

AM Solar provides DIY solar kits for outfitting or upgrading your RV, boat, or off-grid solar-powered system. A quality solar system installation requires more than parts– you’ll need tools and equipment to get your system up and running. We’ve put together a list of our favorite and most-used tools, along with why we love them, to make your solar installation go as smoothly as possible. We’ve sorted them into “The Essentials”, “Nice to Have” tools that apply to certain systems, and tools that will “Make Your Life Easier”, especially if you plan to install another solar power system for a frie ..read more

If you're new to RVing, you may be wondering what life is like in RV parks and campgrounds. It can be a ton of fun hanging out in awesome destinations with a community of like-minded travelers. But it can also be a major hassle - if people don't follow the rules. So, let's look at some of the most common ones out there so you'll be prepared for a good time for yourself and your fellow campers. 1. Quiet Hours This is one you'll find in just about every RV park, campground, or other official site. A recreational vehicle isn't the most soundproof of dwellings, which means it can be pretty annoyin ..read more

Choose Wisely At AM Solar, we get a lot of customers coming to us requesting system designs and suggesting a particular voltage.  We’ll help you build whatever you want, but we also want to make sure you have good information when making your decisions. Hopefully, this blog helps you choose wisely. Nominal Voltage First, let’s make sure we’re all speaking the same language. When someone talks about a 12V system, they are usually referring to the nominal voltage of the battery bank being 12V. This is created by having six 2V lead-acid cells connected in series, within one battery, and m ..read more