rideadeuce

Works as a spacer to take up a bit of stretch in the awning fabric.

[postquote quote=179982][/postquote] When fully extended I put a piece of the soft velcro (not the hooks) along both ends closest to the roller bar. But make sure to clean out top channel of the extended awning. Hard to see unless you really look and go along the top with cleaning mitt.

Found some non-slip tape laying around and applied it to protect the gelcoat (think I saw from John D.) but don't put your spare back on front facing and scuff it up - make sure the front is rear facing. Just sharing one of my many mistakes.

Called Carefree and they suggested to put a small piece of the soft side of velcro along the roller when fully extended. While in the process of doing this I was cleaning the awning and found a fair amount of debris along the top channel of awning. Cleaned out a bunch of leaves and put the velcro piece as well and both sides close flush now!

I can’t run my AC going down the road without it.... yet! Maybe I should just focus on the Hybrid inverter and Lithiums.

The engine is a Honda clone. Good reviews and at $750, worth a look. My interest is in the electric start (connecting to hybrid inverter for remote start). But saying all that I have the same reservations as John.

@hobo, I feel the same and I believe John and I both have the Yamaha EF2400 ISCH BUT I looked and compared for a long time. And although I am very happy ( especially after the blisters on my hand healed from forgetting about the low oil cutoff safety) with my choice. I sometime feels I should have bought the Predator (saved a little money), done the propane conversion, had more watts and possibly the ability to add remote start, direct 30 amp plug, etc. The dimensions are good as well but its only drawback to me is the weight... 100 vs 75 lbs

I got to use this after carrying it around in my truck for over a year in May of this year. Still had a full charge and was able to jump the Tundra two mornings in a row due to my daughter playing with the interior lights without my knowledge. Also, I used the trickle charge at the campground overnight the 2nd day. Worked great in both instances. Very well made and powerful. LiFEPO4 much safer as well.

Birds eye view of solar array.

Tidied up the wires a bit and added some 1/2 in. s.s. straps attached to the panel just for some safety redundancy since I used VHB tape only for install. Thanks everyone.

Mid-ship right along beside the solar wire (adjacent to the pantry)... straight shot. No drilling.

I agree completely but what changed my mind is having to fish the VE.direct cable2 x2 down to it, wasn't an easy task today going up with the communication cable. So once the battery monitor goes up top (so that I can run VE.direct cables from the controller and battery monitor to Color GX) I thought I might as well install it showing rather than leaving it in the cabinet. But I would guess the app will be used 90% of the time. So if I wasn't going to add the Victron solar charger and Color GX I would definitely leave in the basement.

Overland, that is what I have been thinking about all morning. The Color GX display is 7 mm narrower than the Zamp controller. So not sure, any ideas? Probably a cover plate of some sort or possibly just white caulk 3-4 mm each side is not that much. BTW, the additional solar panels are making quite a bit of difference (33% more amperage)! Wow, very happy. Oh, and the only reason I moved it up top is so that it is easier to connect the VE.direct cables to the Color GX from the solar controller and battery monitor.

Finally got the fish tape up through the hulls and mounted the battery monitor properly. Next, upgrading solar charger 100/50 and Color GX display.</p>

[postquote quote=175206][/postquote] Yes!

@Hardrock, I agree with you despite Am Solar's claims and my anxiety about being able to pull them off one day without damaging the hull. Redundancy, for the sake of safety seems smart. So instead of running a separate cable I am going to attach some 1/2 in S.S. wire straps to the 10 g double insulated wire connecting it the panel (heaving duty with conduit) and attach it to the panel's aluminum frame. On the junction end there is another larger 2-3 metal cable strap tying all the panel wires together, so it should hold if anything happens to the panel bond. Thanks for reminding me what others have said, I hear ya! https://www.amazon.com/LOKMAN-Stainless-Cushioned-Insulated-Installation/dp/B01HPE188Q/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=1%2F2+in+cable+strap&qid=1561719228&s=gateway&sr=8-4

No screws just VHB tape. Am Solar swears by it if you prep it correctly, they said they have never had one come off. We shall see. If you can get the panels without the SAE connectors cut off it is pretty much plug and play. @Overland, they said no upgrade needed unless I add more. I want to add Victron solar controller and possibly a display later so I will upgrade at that point if I do it. Thanks for your feedback and previous posts.

The solar panel install went so smoothly yesterday I woke up this morning with the energy to finally tackle the battery monitor install I had been postponing for months. I think I am going to just leave it by the EMS monitor for now just because it is easy to use via bluetooth in the Victron Connect app.

Finally got around to installing the Zamp 90 watt slender panels on the Oliver today. Very simple, just some heat shrink for the wire connections and putting the feet on the panels. I used the AmvSolar tall feet on the passenger side and the standard ones on the driver side and prepped with alcohol before applying the supplied VHB tape... seems to be very sturdy. Time will tell. Still have to tidy up the wires but a thunderstorm with lightning rolled in. The package Am Solar sells had everything included for the install except (2) Zamp SAE connections and a SAE Y-splitter. But they sell both on the website. For some reason they cut off the original SAE connector so you have to re-install one, maybe if you gave them advanced notice you could get one that has not been removed. Curious to see how much Amp hour difference stored tomorrow. From Am Solar: My install:

Thanks. Going to look for someone here locally to try and do something similar. Very nicely done. As far as the air bag, I am pretty satisfied with my current setup. I love my Tundra but I have had so much trouble with the dealership here that I am seriously thinking about getting a Dodge in a few years. May change my mind but plan on just using it without any more upgrades for now. Thanks for the specifics on the gen cover!

[postquote quote=175884][/postquote] Where did you order the custom cover with snaps? Would they make/sell another one... Perfect solution for my needs. Was it difficult to the install SS snaps on the aluminum cargo tray? Did you use Screw studs/rivets/threaded for the male stud? Thanks, Mike

For single 12v battery https://www.goalzero.com/shop/trickle-charger-inverter/maintainer-10-trickle-charger/ To use with larger solar panel for more juice https://www.goalzero.com/shop/trickle-charger-inverter/guardian-12v-plus-charge-controller/

The people at AmSolar have been very nice and helpful. Ended up purchasing everything through them. Plan to do the install when we get back from the Smoky’s. Pulled this from their website... “ Roof Attachment Fiberglass roofs – We have been using a type of 3M double-sided tape on our mounts since the mid 1990’s, and we have never lost a panel. As long as the tape is properly installed on a clean surface at the correct temperature, it will hold. As an added level of protection, we use a layer of Dicor self-leveling sealant around the entire perimeter of the mount, and cover the screw holes/heads as well. The sealant protects the tape and any potential roof penetrations from water intrusion and decay.” So I am going to give it a try and will post pics later. Thanks for everyone’s input.

So I was thinking about what @Overlander and @John said regarding cleaning and the fact that I don't have an awning on the curb side. Thought these might work on both sides in the same fashion (tall version at least on passenger side). If I mount them the way AmSolar recommends with VHB tape and sealant I don't even have to drill any holes. The mounts would be on each end and if it worked out properly you could lift up for cleaning and/or tilt when warranted. https://amsolar.com/rv-mounting-accessories/91m-35mz

@Overland, thanks for the additional pics... trying to decide if I want to try and fab myself or ask OTT service if they would do it. Its looks fairly straight-forward. I am hoping with the extra wattage I won't need to lug around my 100w suitcase solar anymore. @KWR, you can buy other cheaper brands than Zamp for the outside SAE solar input, you just have to make sure and reverse your polarity at the controller or buy something like this https://www.amazon.com/Tecmate-OptiMATE-CABLE-Adapter-polarity/dp/B00AHCWGOO