Airstream’s new power system, including lithium batteries and an additional solar panel, now is included within all 2021 orders for Touring Coaches built this fall.
The upgraded power option was created for battery longevity and a quicker charge, Airstream stated. An improved solar controller and extra solar panel on the Coaches’ roof were designed to maintain the chassis battery.
“Increasing battery longevity gives owners more time to focus on what really matters instead of having to worry about battery life before hitting the road,” Airstream stated. “In addition to longevity, these lithium batteries require minimal maintenance because of how durable they are. The internal components are prepared to handle just about every type of situation one may encounter while traveling.”
A safe, powerful and stable charge is the goal with Airstream’s dealer-installed LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) batteries. The set holds a charge for up to a year without the need for a trickle charger, and is designed for efficient power in both high and low outdoor temperatures.
Inside each battery is an internal heating element for cold weather charging, along with an internal battery management system (BMS) that monitors the voltage, temperature and stability.
Airstream Touring Coaches have included lead acid or glass mat batteries as the industry standard. With 3,000 to 5,000 lifecycles and high temperature stability, the new lithium batteries will last 10 times longer than lead-acid batteries.
“If your lithium batteries are fully drained when you start charging, it will take about 8 hours to charge them to 100 percent with a 25 AMP power supply,” Airstream stated.
An upgraded solar controller with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology and an interior display monitor is included in the new power system. MPPT optimizes solar energy harvest from the sun by actively tracking the voltage and output of the solar panels. The controller technology works well in cloudy or shaded conditions by optimizing the harvest (up to 30 percent compared to PWM controllers) of solar energy from the roof-mounted panels. This ensures that no energy is wasted and that your batteries can full charge as quickly as possible.
“This means that if you’re out adventuring and plug in at the campground for the night, you’ll be able to quickly hit the road with fully charged batteries the next morning,” Airstream stated.
