After thinking about it and researching solar for the past year or so for my Airstream I've finally committed to a system. I'm going with AM Solar's AM100-22B system. I'm stoked about it--the panel is rated at only 100 watts but it runs higher voltages than most and in conjunction with a controller that can handle the higher voltage it will turn the additional voltage into amps so that it effectively acts the same as a normal 130 watt panel system. This is going to be very cool and should be a pretty easy install. The recommended installation method is to use 3Ms special adhesive tape so that there is no drilling on the aluminum roof and it bonds like a magical adhesive. The cables will run down through the refrigerator vent and I'll mount the control panel next to the TV in the lounge area (backside of that is the fridge). The only part that will be challenging is running the cable up to the batteries with the temperature probe under the aluminum underbelly.
Hopefully I'll get the system in next weekend!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
The Dream
I couldn't take it any more, I had to have a Safari SE front-bed. It's just so cool, while still being totally iconic and classy. So it's with its rightful owner and everyone is happy.
So it's a worthy replacement for my 1972 Trade Wind though it's a little heavier and wider but it's such an outstanding floorplan with the door at the back of the coach, a dinette for 4 and the very back, a full-sized lounge, then the galley, followed by a water closet on the right and a full shower on the left, then the bedroom.
So it's a worthy replacement for my 1972 Trade Wind though it's a little heavier and wider but it's such an outstanding floorplan with the door at the back of the coach, a dinette for 4 and the very back, a full-sized lounge, then the galley, followed by a water closet on the right and a full shower on the left, then the bedroom.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Going, Going, GONE!
Well, that didn't take long! I posted my ad on Craigslist North Bay (SF) and Sacramento, started getting e-mails the next day, and had people scheduled to come out and view it for both Saturday and Sunday. I received offers from the first two groups of viewers and took the first one. They came out from the Sacramento area and already had a similar vintage 23' Safari model but it was all-original and hadn't been updated. They, like the second group, were looking for something that was ready to go immediately, which, of course, mine was. I had just washed it, cleaned the windows, and scrubbed and dusted the interior. I do have to say, it was looking pretty good when people viewed it and I was feeling some remorse about selling it.
After they gave me the deposit I contacted the other interested parties and let them know that it was sold. The second group was interested in using it for a very cool documentary project that would be traveling around the US and I have to confess that I would love seeing my Trade Wind in a documentary but first come, first served.
What was particularly interesting to me is how much people took to it being ready to go. A part of me had felt guilty about replacing the original appliances with modern automatic-lighting pilot appliances (fridge, water heater, oven, etc.) but it turns out that everyone I talked to really wanted those things already done. Of course, much of my trailer was still faithful to the period in appearance (I'll post some photos later). In thinking about it, there are a ton of vintage Airstreams out there that have been neglected, partially updated/restored, but few are truly ready-to-go. If someone had the space and time, it could actually be a viable business to get them dialed in and resell them. There are few shops that do it around the country and the better-known ones tend to do major restorations (and as a result the whole project can be $40k+). Interesting to me....
After they gave me the deposit I contacted the other interested parties and let them know that it was sold. The second group was interested in using it for a very cool documentary project that would be traveling around the US and I have to confess that I would love seeing my Trade Wind in a documentary but first come, first served.
What was particularly interesting to me is how much people took to it being ready to go. A part of me had felt guilty about replacing the original appliances with modern automatic-lighting pilot appliances (fridge, water heater, oven, etc.) but it turns out that everyone I talked to really wanted those things already done. Of course, much of my trailer was still faithful to the period in appearance (I'll post some photos later). In thinking about it, there are a ton of vintage Airstreams out there that have been neglected, partially updated/restored, but few are truly ready-to-go. If someone had the space and time, it could actually be a viable business to get them dialed in and resell them. There are few shops that do it around the country and the better-known ones tend to do major restorations (and as a result the whole project can be $40k+). Interesting to me....
Friday, February 29, 2008
Selling My Vintage Airstream
It's happening, after a year of ownership, 30 - 40 nights of camping, and a lot of work getting things working perfectly, I'm selling my 1972 Airstream Trade Wind. I'm asking $11,750.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Welcome to AronStream
Because spring is upon us and my mind turns to camping, I would hate to overload my technology and career blog with too much noise on Airstreams, so here we go!
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