I used the kit but my batteries still went dead during our tripUpdated 3 months ago

Check the fuse

First, check the fuse for the Solar Port, if you're using the Solar Port on the Airstream. It's located inside the battery box on aluminum Airstream trailers, in a small fuse holder. Pull out the fuse and look at it to see if it has blown.

Another way to check the fuse is to simply disconnect the solar panels from the charge controller, then unplug the charge controller from the Airstream. The lights should go off. Plug the charge controller back in (but not the panels), and the lights should come on. If they don't, the Solar Port fuse is blown and must be replaced with a 15 to 20-amp automotive blade fuse.

Replacing the fuse is very simple. Please download these instructions, which include images to show you where the fuse holder is in the Airstream's battery box. We recommend replacing the fuse with a 20-amp rating.

How much power did you use?

If the fuse is good, the most likely reason for running out of power is that you used more power than the panels could replenish.

The AIR GEAR Portable Solar Kit is rated for up to 200 watts of power in full sun, but the actual output of any solar panel varies according to sun angle, cloudiness, shading, and temperature.

Even under ideal conditions, if you are using a lot of power-hungry appliances (like electric refrigerator, Starlink, furnace, or laptops) you can outstrip the capacity of the solar panels and run out of battery power. This can happen with any type of solar panel – rooftop, portable, etc.

When you are camping off-grid, be careful about using appliances like laptop computers, the furnace, and anything that requires the inverter to be turned on. For more tips, see our blog: Power conservation tips and tricks.