SeaDawg

We bought some bi-facial panels from a Michigan company. We had to modify the mounts, and bought some bits from am solar to do that. The panels have worked great for us, though not UL listed. It was a few years ago. Panels keep improving, so keep watching. Our panels are a different arrangement than the elite 2's, and also different from most elite 1's, as ours are side mounted, so we had to measure carefully. So will you. @MAX Burner, I'll look through the archives and see if I can find the manufacturer name for you. It's severalbyears back, and manyvprojrcts ago, and it escapes me at the moment. We replaced two 2008 Era 100 wathe tt panels, so the 200 watt were a bit longer, and a bit wider. (Not a lot, but enough to have to modify the mounts.) I love the concept of the Zamp Obsidians, but way too expensive for me. I also like the stats on NewPowa and SunPower. We used SunPower flex panels on the boat's curved hardtop. There are many good panels out there, today. We are solar powered on our home, our boat, and our Ollie, and love the clean, quiet (free, after install) energy. Eight years into our home, install has already paid back. We feel that the boat and trailer have paid back in sustained battery life, and increased range. (Not yet in cost, probably, like the house.)

Some have, but there are issues in conversion with some of the axles. I split the topic, so both of you can get best responses.

I will also say that Blue Sky has some of the best customer service and technical service in the rv/marine industry. That's why we stayed with them when we upgraded our controllers to a master/slave system, when we upgraded our panels to 400 watts fixed, 200 watts portable. We did, however, go with mostly Victron gear on the sailboat 600 watt system, for a few reasons. At the time, better graphic user interfaces, Bluetooth capability, better connectivity with other systems previously installed. Better water and dust proofing (ip) ratings. And, most importantly, one of our best camping and sailing friends is trained by Victron.... and, he helped us with the install. Two great companies-- BlueSky and Victron, imo.

Sometimes, rocking back and forth on the switch will clean it up enough to get it going. (That's where having a little extra throw from leveling boards helps.) It's also possible, though a true pita, to raise and lower our jacks manually. Replaced a friend's switch only to find out it wasn't the switch, but a loose ground. We've replaced two rocker switches over the years in our 2008. We don't carry a large spare parts kit, bit a spare rocker is in the kit.

That's not mine. It's @bugeyedriver's. Great, isn't it?

Awesome, Pete!

For us "old timers" with the mostly indestructible Blue Sky solar gear, there's a new, easier GUI available for our old school systems. More info available if you buy the unit with the shunt. I haven't read any reviews yet, as I just got the email from Sunforge yesterday. I don't think there's any bluetooth remote capability, but it looks like a relatively easy install. https://sunforgellc.com/product/protouch/ Ten per cent off coupon code in the first photo. ProTouch_Manual-Rev-1.0_AP.pdf

Ooh. Stickers? Thanks for the funny.

Ours was over a decade old. I offered it up for parts, and eventually recycled it. Newer unit owners have sold theirs on ebay or Craigslist.

Woah! How the heck did mouse get into Mouse?

I bought similar from a marine store site. I'll see if I can find it, but I did replace one a few years ago. In the bathroom, it really wouldn't be a big deal if it were a slightly different look. I bought a multi-pack. Used some on the sailboat, a few in the trailer (one replacement, one in the new microwave cavity cabinet.)

And, is that now balanced port to starboard with the electric (lighter) fridge? It's all a balance game, as we all know. Personally, I'd be more concerned about 160 lbs up forward, on one side/off center, with 160 pounds of water in the closet. . Nothing balancing the other side, on tongue weight , with an elite I. Maybe not as much of an issue, with your 2's.

There are a myriad of ways to accomplish our goals. I'm a big believer in using what you already own, if you can reasonably make it work. Congratulations on finding yours.

I agree. We have enjoyed most of our post-purchase upgrades for a very long time. The biggest was our solar upgrade, Labor Day week, 2008, to 200 watts solar. What a game changer, for boondocking! It's great that we can continue to upgrade, isn't it? (We now have 400+ watts solar, fixed.) 16 seasons in, we never really feel left behind, unless we want to be.

Any batteries, I'd try to balance it. First off,,those 5 gallon containers in the TV. Not possible in the tv? 2 in the closet, two in the shower, all strapped in somehow, or wedged. In our little Elite 1, I'd hate the extra 160 pounds forward adding to tongue weight. Hence, our full water containers ride in the truck.

That's how we feel, often, on upgrades. Covering all the holiday bases, as it can be so expensive. Sorry I tagged onto a Christmas thread. My apologies.

I'm kind of loving my 2008 puck switched lights, not "touch lights."

That weight goes in our truck bed. Like @Katjo the closet is reserved for shoes.. (and jackets) We're always mindful of too much weight in the closet, or shower floor. And, want to keep it balanced.

My dad always said, "the worst they can say is, 'no'. Be polite,ask, see what happens." Happy for you!

Well, it's temporarily back to the weak little black and decker. The Dyson died after just less than 4 years. (And, I'd had to replace the batteries once. Yes, I cleaned and replaced filters on a regular basis.) I did used the Dyson almost every day for 4 years, but I expected more life from an expensive gadget. I got a shark for home, but it's too big and heavy to carry in the trailer. I'll be looking for a new, smaller lightweight something else for the Ollie.

This thread shows a number of installs:

The filters on our houghton are washable.

Not I, said the little red hen... 😅

So, @ScubaRx, what panels did you put on the oliver?

I'm sad that you don't like your awning. That said, I love mine. I also wish there were an option for Elite I, especially, for a manual awning, like ours.