Love my a192HW

[ccamper]

I am very happy to find this forum. I have read many of the threads, and found a lot of useful information, tips, and tricks. So, thank you to all who have posted. Here are a couple of pics of my new(ish), purchased back in April, A-frame.

[chaviva7]

We had the 194 HW. We loved it but went bigger with the 2016 214HW. Happy camping days to you.

[DanM-AZ]

Well that proves that you can do solar on the front slope even if you have the bubble windows! Can you give some details on your solar installation?
Thanks!

[mudman2]

That looks like 3m tape on the bubble Windows. Did it come from the factory like that?

[ccamper]

DanM, I mounted the panel there because I like concealed wires. The roof being a fiberglass/rigid insulation/metal sandwich, can't run wires within the ceiling. By mounting it here, I drilled through the roof, and the wires run along the inside if the roof hinge then down the front wall into the space below the dinette seat. I mounted the charge controller next to the inverter. Ran from inverter through existing hole in floor to battery. Was going to just tap battery at inverter, but this one doesnt have 12v lugs like older models. All circuit boards now. The panel itself is mounted on Z brackets. This gives about an inch of airspace beneath the panel. The brackets are mounted with stainless steel screws. I thought I would have to through bolt, but the screws bit and grabbed very tight. I sealed bracket screws and wire penetrations with black solar seal caulk. A roofing caulk. Its a renogy solar panel kit , (100 watt panel, 30amp charge controller, mounting hardware, and cables) bought off amazon for about $185.00. I camped in S. Dakota for a week using battery for lights, radio, propane for fridge and cooking. Battery never drained low fkr the whole trip. I have more install pics, but on my old phone. I will have to find them and post.

[ccamper]

Mudman2, the bubble windows are the way they came from the factory. Not sure is 3m tape. I believe they are and then caulked around the perimeter.

[ccamper]

Here is a straight on view of the solar panel. Also some pics of winter storage.

[DanM-AZ]

Thanks ccamper,
That looks and sounds like a pretty clean installation. I couldn't bring myself to penetrate the roof panel.

If the bubble window installation is factory stock, there may come a day when you need to apply the 3M Extreme Sealing tape. That will be complicated by the solar panel. You may need to remove the panel to apply the tape, then reinstall it.

Here is what a 3M tape installation looks like:

[ccamper]

Thank you, I did think about it during install. Lol. I remember telling myself that these windows will be a problem later on. I'll cross that path when I get there. I'm sure within the next year or two. But thank you again.

Are those factory rivots or screws in yhe corners under the tape? Mine doesn't have those.

[DanM-AZ]

Yeah those are factory screws. Mine is an older model, 2012 model year, built in 2011. That's the rear window. Mine doesn't have front bubble windows. Build details may have changed since mine was built.