310 Watt Solar Panel from a 400 T@B on a 320

AnOldUR

@SLJ, I have a factory installed 100W panel that I'll be replacing with the 310W, so the best case scenario would be that I can use the existing hole and wiring, but I'll probably have to add a second hole and reroute the wire to it. 

@B0atguy, can you tell me how well your 310W panel works for you? Can you share the watts and amperage that you're getting from it?

AnOldUR

Almost ready to pull the trigger, but after reading @elbolillo's post on the different panel construction, I'm curious about what to expect from the silicone cell panel. Will anyone with the 310W panel on their 400 tell me the output that they're getting?

B0atguy

AnOldUR said:

@B0atguy, can you tell me how well your 310W panel works for you? Can you share the watts and amperage that you're getting from it?

We are running a Renogy 50amp MPPT / DC-DC charger and from the history data it is saying the highest charging watts was 250 . Max charge amps was 18 . This is from the 310w panel . Cant say if this is 100% accurate , but its what the Renogy  MPPT app is saying.
A teardrop is horrendous when it comes to perfect placement of a solar panel . It seems like it is only in the perfect position to receive full output for a very little time of the day . Even if its positioned in the best possible angle to the sun , the profile of the teardrop shape does not lend itself to good output from a flexible panel mounted directly to the roof . It is what it is. 
Having 2 , 310w panels - one on the front "curve" and one on the rear"curve" would certainly be better than 1 , but I am sure even a good 200w portable panel set-up would likely perform better than the 310w panel mounted to a teardrop roof throughout the course of the day . 
I am likely going to pick-up a Renogy 400w portable , in lieu of dealing with the cost and nightmare of installing an additional 310w panel to our 400. 

Did you happen to get the price of the panel from Preston / Patsy / Sam ? ( we purchased our 320 from MIllers, and were disapointed to learn that they stopped selling NuCamp , and had to get our 400 from another RV dealer) . 

AnOldUR

Thanks for the information @B0atguy. I was afraid that the silicone cells might make it worse than that. The output you're getting isn't bad, and will be a big improve from what I'm currently getting from the 100W that's now on the rooftop.

I did get a price from Patsy. At $765, it's a little better than the $964 from your invoice. I'll sleep on it tonight, but will probably go with it tomorrow.

Funny that you should mention the 400W Renogy suitcase. If it's the one pictured below, I've been looking at the same thing. Some of the bad Amazon reviews had me a little concerned, but I've had good luck with other Renogy products, so attribute most of those reviews to user error. I'd look forward to hearing what you think if you make the purchase. I already use a 200W suitcase. Between that and this rooftop project, it will be hard to justify spending more money, but I can always dream.

B0atguy

@AnOldUR $765. doesn't sound to awful bad to be honest . I would really love to get another 310 permanently mounted to our 400 on the front (like the Black Canyon) . That hole size that the 310 panel requires in the roof scares me a bit . I cant even figure how the wiring would feed from the front of the 400 to the back . Its all open ceiling with no cabinets to hide that big hole . I wonder if I contact NuCamp , they could send me a diagram or factory pictures of how its installed in a current 400.

AnOldUR

@B0atguy I'm also curious how they route the wires in a factory installation. It will be interesting to see what I find under my 100W front panel. I'm hoping I can use what's there. It will be a lot more watts but at a higher voltage so the amperage should not require larger wire.

I made the commitment to Patsy at Miller this morning. Anxious to get the project started, but I'll wait until the new panel gets here before trying to pull mine off.

Horigan

Another option to consider is 200W panels from Renogy, currently two for $480.  You'll then be able to control where you penetrate the roof for the wiring.  I did my penetration next to the black tank vent.

B0atguy

AnOldUR said:

@B0atguy I'm also curious how they route the wires in a factory installation. It will be interesting to see what I find under my 100W front panel. I'm hoping I can use what's there. It will be a lot more watts but at a higher voltage so the amperage should not require larger wire.

I made the commitment to Patsy at Miller this morning. Anxious to get the project started, but I'll wait until the new panel gets here before trying to pull mine off.

Keep this thread going when you receive the 310w panel . Include some pictures of the panel and installation if you can ! Seems like really no-one else is making a flexible 300w panel as of now . There are a few "questionable" 300w panels available , but size doesn't match the watts , and reviews are bad , lol . I would much rather install a comparable 300w flex panel that had the wires exterior mounted to make for an easier input gland install where needed , instead of having to drill a giant hole in the roof in one particular spot where the panel dictates ! 

Emerson

I spoke to the factory and was told about the TAB 400 panels being CIGS panels and why they are better given the curvature of the roof, the bypass diodes, etc.  The factory rep. was preaching to the choir - CIGS panels are far superior for my primary use cases.  He just sent me a copy of the sticker. The panels are SI or Silicone panels.   For those interested in the specs, including the dimensions, please see the image.  I lost confidence in NuCamp and I don't even have the trailer yet.  

AnOldUR

Emerson said:

I lost confidence in NuCamp and I don't even have the trailer yet. 

My panel surprisingly arrived today. There's a lot of work ahead, but the first thing that stuck out is the label that you attached above has the weight at 11.9 lbs and mine says 11.6 lbs. Also, the "MADE IN VIETNAM" reference is nowhere to be found on mine. Multiple sources?

I was not expecting the tape around the perimeter of the panel. I'll send an email to nuCamp, but is this sufficient to hold the panel in place? Is this all the the factory uses?

Horigan

I used 1/2" VHB tape on my panels and they're holding fine after several years.  Be sure to clean the surface well before application.

AnOldUR

Well, that was not fun. A bloody knuckle and a few hours later and the old panel is off. The disappointing thing is that the hub is not centered on the old panel as expected. That means there's no way to use the existing hole through the roofs skin. I'll worry about that and cleaning the gunk off the roof tomorrow.

I was surprised to find out from its label that the old panel was 133W. The trailer was purchased used. I'm not sure why I thought it was a 100W panel. I don't remember ever seeing that much wattage coming from it on the app.

ckjs

AnOldUR said:

…
I was surprised to find out from its label that the old panel was 133W. The trailer was purchased used. I'm not sure why I thought it was a 100W panel. I don't remember ever seeing that much wattage coming from it on the app…

Thanks for the pictures; those plastic pry bars seem to be just the tool.

Any solar panel will produce its nameplate power only if it is
- flat,
- perfectly pointed to the Sun
- a completely clear day