Additional, portable solar panel

Doug_Edwards

Hi Folks, we have a 22 400 BD with solar panel. I'm wondering about the practicality of an additional 140w suitcase panel, (there is already a connection port), for shady conditions or additional power. Anyone have experience or advice?

pthomas745

We have 8 billion solar threads! Many owners have done this.  There are lots of options: solar "suitcases", standalone solar panels, lightweight "flexible" panels...and on and on. 

At the very least, you will need: the panel.  A solar controller.  And the various cables that connect the panel to the controller, and the controller to the battery.  Some panels come with the controller mounted on the panel, such as a "suitcase" type.  Others have each of these components as separate parts of the "kit".

For you to understand the SAE port (that is what that "connector" on the side of the trailer really is) you will need a multimeter, or at least a meter is a very useful part of your Tab toolbox.

There are many simple ways to connect solar to the trailer.  There are many owners here with many skillsets and experience with this sort of installation.  There are some (like me) who took this step by step and simply made it work first, and then improved the "look" as I went along. 

This thread started in 2016.  There was not much information about solar and how to make it work with the trailers, since the solar geeks simply did not see what was coming down the road.  So, smart owners figured it out.  The thread was "resurrected" early this year, with examples of the newer style "suitcase" type panels.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/2477/solar-suitcases-compared/p1

Many owners have discovered the ease of use of these Dokio kits, which appear to be plug and play. 

https://www.amazon.com/DOKIO-Portable-Solar-Panel-110M-220m/dp/B0748FYFSK?th=1

Anyway: it isn't as hard as it looks to make it work.  Ask questions, there is so much expertise here.

Doug_Edwards

Thanks, I found a bunch more info. I'm fairly handy at things but very literal. Vague or ambiguous don't work for me. If it doesn't hit me over the head, I'm afraid I'm missing something. Turns out, someone with the same setup has done what I want to do, and it's plug and play. Always great info from other owners.

redaunt

Our 2023 T@b 400 does not have external port for adding a “solar suitcase”. It looks like this port is usually in the nautilus panel. Has anyone DIY a port? Or is this something a dealer should do?

kevmon

redaunt said:

Our 2023 T@b 400 does not have external port for adding a “solar suitcase”. It looks like this port is usually in the nautilus panel. Has anyone DIY a port? Or is this something a dealer should do?

You can add a port without too much effort. I added a Zamp connector to the front tub and run to a second solar controller. 

elbolillo

I installed an additional solar charger and a MC4 connector in the nautilus cubby.

cottonmouth

elbolillo said:

I installed an additional solar charger and a MC4 connector in the nautilus cubby.

Wow! I didn't know they made a quick connect MC4 plug. I thought you had to use the tool to disconnect them. Where did you get that plug?

Marceline

Doug_Edwards said:

Hi Folks, we have a 22 400 BD with solar panel. I'm wondering about the practicality of and additional 140w suitcase panel, (there is already a connection port), for shady conditions or additional power. Anyone have experience or advice?

I installed a solar controller in the tub (Victron), an SAE port on the side, and I have a 160w EcoFlow portable panel.

elbolillo

cottonmouth said:

elbolillo said:

I installed an additional solar charger and a MC4 connector in the nautilus cubby.

Wow! I didn't know they made a quick connect MC4 plug. I thought you had to use the tool to disconnect them. Where did you get that plug?

Here is one that is available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Weatherproof-Housing-Extension-Connector-Campervan/dp/B0B6GD2J5D/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qa0cCwzxL0QpvZyK8PmyGLqQb1JFIBoMMU7BlDeGNj504tqw0QPojQSzTYt6Rxi5HTLYZobqhnbC-RRYxKc8LLLFpXlBvYxGazIFfci9Wuwwlm_2Y6JlqHNWcxIhb9p6x8fLhTJlcuW6nLe2dWUErYe9QuYWttBQAXuJNaRjSjyxp2Y6Jo6Ev1OsYBhY0eByXYI2gBJYkOF7NyVQJoYVO3p_Fk5nM_jbGqAg_GquEVI.3WdfnlCtuRTcxyYr1eFAqfOejVrgZR1ge1YFcszOblI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Solar%2BPanel%2BWeatherproof%2BCable%2BWire%2BEntry%2BHousing&qid=1720633999&sr=8-4&th=1

SLJ

We have a 200 watt Renogy portable suitcase with a 20' extension cable. Moved the Renogy controller from the panel to inside the tub next to the SAE port so we don't get much power loss when using the extension cable.

Slackers

We have the exact solar set-up as @SLJ I'll add the 200 watt solar suitcase is a bit bulky to move around; however, It gets the job done for our 100 AH lithium battery.

GatorEgg

We have a ‘22 400 BD.  The practicality of a suitcase panel is immense.  I’ve used it with my 320 and 400.  We try to park in the shadiest sites.  A mobile panel with good length of cord allows this while placing the panel out in the sun.