Community Forums

rperrym · 01-25-2017, 02:57 PM

Yes, it is in front of the front a/c and is centered.

Rick

Russtj60 · 01-26-2017, 09:36 AM

So here is the setup on my 2017 3710. I haven't figured out why i have three vertical antennas yet. The Weingart Air was factory installed. The Direct TV was installed at the dealership. I have a few more pics if you need them.

Luv2go · 01-26-2017, 01:29 PM

On our coach, one vertical antenna is for the coach radio and one is for the Home Theater unit, maybe the third is for an outside AM/FM system?

Stuart W · 01-26-2017, 02:00 PM

Russtj60, thank you. It looks like the dlr choose to run the wire from the stock sat pre wire location and mount the dish in the middle of the couch probably to avoid interference from the WA HDTV antenna. If you had a closeup of the satellite dish mounting that would be great. I also have 3 vertical antennas and I assumed the forward right was for the dash radio and the one towards middle right was the outside radio, then I thought that the third was possibly also connected to the dash radio. But some one else said maybe the surround sound system. By the way did you locate the USB cable behind the drawers under the stove for the outside radio yet? Thanks again, Stuart

Russtj60 · 01-26-2017, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart W

Russtj60, thank you. It looks like the dlr choose to run the wire from the stock sat pre wire location and mount the dish in the middle of the couch probably to avoid interference from the WA HDTV antenna. If you had a closeup of the satellite dish mounting that would be great. I also have 3 vertical antennas and I assumed the forward right was for the dash radio and the one towards middle right was the outside radio, then I thought that the third was possibly also connected to the dash radio. But some one else said maybe the surround sound system. By the way did you locate the USB cable behind the drawers under the stove for the outside radio yet? Thanks again, Stuart

I have not... I started the day climbing on top of the coach to take pictures and then in discussion with Newmar estimator focusing on Solar Prep. This discussion concerning Solar Prep piqued my interest and I requested a quote from Newmar. The estimator, a really nice guy, said he just did an install on a similar coach for a little more than $7K The mod is an expensive one. It was an impulse call, I really had not done any research nor do I do much boondocking.

BTW, thanks to all. I had not considered that the entertainment system would need its own dedicated antenna. So that mystery is solved.

Here are three pictures of the Sat Install. If you need another angle, I can take it tomorrow. The Direct TV cable enters the coach in the front almost just left of centerline. You can see entry point relationship to the solar panel in one the pics.

Stuart W · 01-26-2017, 03:40 PM

Russtj60 Thank You very much. Ouch on 7K that's pricey

Russtj60 · 01-26-2017, 03:49 PM

It is pricey.... might be an early spring DIY project!!

Stuart W · 01-26-2017, 04:09 PM

How many watts were they talking about?
I was looking AM Solar's site today

rperrym · 01-26-2017, 04:39 PM

When I had an Airstream I almost bought a folding solar panel that came in a suitcase type carrying case. Go Power has one with 120 watts and 10 amps for 543.00. They also have larger ones and they are very portable. Just another option to a built-in unit.

Rick

Russtj60 · 01-26-2017, 04:40 PM

So the quote was for "...5 panels if they fit $7400.00, $830.00 per 95-watt panel". Stuart, I have not done my homework, so I do not know how many panels would be required to maintain the 4 deep cycle stock batteries and whether there are enough batteries. I am considering adding a second inverter, I currently have one 1KW inverter dedicated to the residential refrigerator. I'd like to get a second to feed the entertainment system. Another pricey mod - 2.3K add on.

kensuzibuddy · 01-26-2017, 06:28 PM

Wow, $7K for 500 watts is pricey! I built a "test system" on my house using the same components I would use on an RV. It's roughly 600 watts, with two types of inverters -- grid-tie (because it's a house) and stand-alone full sine wave inverter which I use as an "emergency generator" when the power goes out. Oh, and I have about 600 AH of batteries plus a very good 4-stage charge controller. Cost of entire system was a bit over $2000 for everything. Bought most of the components on-line of course as a DIY project. My plan is to move most of the components to my new 2016 Ventana 4041 which has the solar prep option it. Just need to figure out where they put those wires...

Russtj60 · 01-27-2017, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kensuzibuddy

Wow, $7K for 500 watts is pricey! I built a "test system" on my house using the same components I would use on an RV. It's roughly 600 watts, with two types of inverters -- grid-tie (because it's a house) and stand-alone full sine wave inverter which I use as an "emergency generator" when the power goes out. Oh, and I have about 600 AH of batteries plus a very good 4-stage charge controller. Cost of entire system was a bit over $2000 for everything. Bought most of the components on-line of course as a DIY project. My plan is to move most of the components to my new 2016 Ventana 4041 which has the solar prep option it. Just need to figure out where they put those wires...

I am with you. There has to be a way to do this cheaper

C.Martin · 01-27-2017, 06:08 AM

I was pricing components from WholesaleSolar...

I'm not aware of what makes your quote so expensive... they have panels around $1 per watt.

My problem is I live in Florida and use Air Conditioning most of the year. It won't be until I retire that we can really venture out for months at a time and make a solar system worth it.

Since we already have the Magnum MS2812 in our coach...I would love to replace the ME-RC remote with the ME-ARC version 4 or higher...the ME-BMK battery monitor..,the PT-100 photo voltaic charge controller...and 5 panels with as many watts as will fit on the roof. Oh, and get AGM batteries when the flooded ones need replacing.

One can dream

IIRC ball park prices...

Panels 1000w. $1000 - $1200
BMK $170
ME-ARC $250
PT-100 $800
Plus add in some wiring, maybe a buss bar for grounds, circuit breakers, cutoff switches, mounting hardware, rooftop combiner buss... I'm thinking WAY less than $7K...

They would have to show me some phenomenal specs to make me drop that much ka-ching$$$... Just sayin'

Russtj60 · 01-27-2017, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Martin

I was pricing components from WholesaleSolar...

I'm not aware of what makes your quote so expensive... they have panels around $1 per watt.

My problem is I live in Florida and use Air Conditioning most of the year. It won't be until I retire that we can really venture out for months at a time and make a solar system worth it.

Since we already have the Magnum MS2812 in our coach...I would love to replace the ME-RC remote with the ME-ARC version 4 or higher...the ME-BMK battery monitor..,the PT-100 photo voltaic charge controller...and 5 panels with as many watts as will fit on the roof. Oh, and get AGM batteries when the flooded ones need replacing.

One can dream

IIRC ball park prices...

Panels 1000w. $1000 - $1200
BMK $170
ME-ARC $250
PT-100 $800
Plus add in some wiring, maybe a buss bar for grounds, circuit breakers, cutoff switches, mounting hardware, rooftop combiner buss... I'm thinking WAY less than $7K...

They would have to show me some phenomenal specs to make me drop that much ka-ching$$$... Just sayin'

And that was at their reduced winter labor rate! I can figure out what I want wrt to power and draw up the circuit - running the wire in the RV is what gives me a headache.