400 T@B 310-watt Solar Panel

AnOldUR

For a while now I've been considering replacing our 100W rooftop solar panel. I have a 200W suitcase, but I'm looking for more rooftop solar input when going down the road and when parked in the shade. The one that the factory puts on the 400 looks like a good wattage and size, but I'm having trouble finding out who supplies it to nuCamp. Does anyone know the manufacturer and part number? Also, if you have one, could you tell me the dimensions?

I have contacted nuCamp about them selling one through my local dealer. While waiting, I hoped someone here would have some answers. TIA

AnOldUR

nuCamp got back saying that I can go through my dealer to purchase, but they did not share the manufacturer. I've sent an email to Miller in PA for a price. Pass that along when they get back for anyone interested.

Still would like to know the actual dimensions to see if it will fit on a 320 rooftop?

elbolillo

I was told that they are SunFlare. However, there are no references to that wattage of panel on SunFlare’s site.

AnOldUR

Thanks @elbolillo. I got conformation from nuCamp that it is a SunFlare panel. I went to their website, but like you, I couldn't find this panel. I sent them an email to find if it's available to the public, but I'm guessing that I'll have to go through my nuCamp dealer.

Yoshi_TAB

Hi, 

Not sure if this is the same panel, but I had reached out to GTFO a few years ago in regards to the panel on my 320 and they were very responsive with technical  questions.   

Sunflare Xplor - Best Portable Solar Panels for Camping, RV – GTFOverland

pthomas745

There are a number of Sunflare threads that might help.

https://www.google.com/search?q=sunflare+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=96ee89d9f9e65c74&sxsrf=AHTn8zq4I7ZZe2SGk4MtY5w8o90EPW1BcQ:1739998614386&ei=lkW2Z_OVF-_ckPIPhtiH6Aw&ved=0ahUKEwjzuMf6z9CLAxVvLkQIHQbsAc0Q4dUDCBE&uact=5&oq=sunflare+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiKXN1bmZsYXJlIHNpdGU6dGFiLXJ2LnZhbmlsbGFjb21tdW5pdHkuY29tSPwrUIEKWJslcAF4AJABAJgBL6ABygeqAQIyNLgBA8gBAPgBAZgCAKACAJgDAIgGAZIHAKAHuAg&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

AnOldUR

Thanks @pthomas745. Some good information there, but I couldn't find anything specific to the 400's 310W panel. An AI search gave dimensions of 38.9 inches by 65.4 inches, but it also said they were based on similar 310-watt flexible solar panels, so I was hoping someone could confirm them.

Cherokee

Just note that a portable solar cells will allow you to park in the shade while you place the solar in the sun. More expensive trailers like MDC mount their solar on the roof with spacers to allow air to dissipate the heat retained in the panels - they are far more efficient mounted that way

SLJ

Don't know about your tow vehicle but mine charges the batteries with high enough voltage so the roof solar panel/controller doesn't do any charging when towing.  Only time it goes into charge mode is if I happen to stop early into the trip with the engine off and the batteries under 100%. 
As far as Sunflare, the panels NuCamp uses have the connectors on the bottom of the panel so the wiring is hidden and holes in the roof would be necessary. Most panels sold to the public have the connectors on the top so you would have to decide how you want to connect them.

elbolillo

Cherokee said:

Just note that a portable solar cells will allow you to park in the shade while you place the solar in the sun. More expensive trailers like MDC mount their solar on the roof with spacers to allow air to dissipate the heat retained in the panels - they are far more efficient mounted that way

Yeah, but it is hard to charge with a portable solar panel when traveling.

And while a portable panel vs one that is surface mounted certainly will be more efficient (17% vs 23%), mounting a panel on the roof of a Tab with room for airflow would certainly be a bit more of a challenge.

AnOldUR

Exactly @elbolillo. I'm choosing to spend money on tripling my rooftop solar rather than going with a dc-dc charger in our tow vehicle. It will be much more versatile for the type of camping that we do and will compliment the 200W suitcase that we already use.

elbolillo

@AnOldUR

We drove 1400 miles and arrived to our campsite with 100% charge on the batteries. Having panels on both the front and the back of our 400 gave us great charging opportunities.

rfuss928

SunFlare is one of very few flexible solar panels that has a hail resistance specification for roof installations.  IMO a very important characteristic for T@B (and many other) roof installations.
Some of their products are exclusive to "partner" OEM businesses.

AnOldUR

elbolillo said:

We drove 1400 miles and arrived to our campsite with 100% charge on the batteries. Having panels on both the front and the back of our 400 gave us great charging opportunities.

I was just revisiting your Solar Capacity post from December of last year. I was considering doing something similar at the time, so it was helpful. With time for one more project this winter, I'm getting serious now. The thing that has me most concerned is the dimension. The 180W BougeRV that you used seems to have close to the same dimensions as the 310W SunFlare. Almost seem too good to be true. Hoping to get some verification soon.

AnOldUR

nuCamp got back to me about the 310W factory panel:

"That is correct, this panel is specific to us, they do not sell it on their website so the only option would be through the dealer. The measurement is 64.5" x  39"."

Once I hear from Miller, I hope to get an order in and move on this project. My biggest fear is sticker shock. The Sunflare panels are not cheap. Anxiously waiting to see whether nuCamps buying in bulk takes some of the bite out or if it's the opposite?

rfuss928

AnOldUR said:

nuCamp got back to me about the 310W factory panel:

"That is correct, this panel is specific to us, they do not sell it on their website so the only option would be through the dealer. The measurement is 64.5" x  39"."

Once I hear from Miller, I hope to get an order in and move on this project. My biggest fear is sticker shock. The Sunflare panels are not cheap. Anxiously waiting to see whether nuCamps buying in bulk takes some of the bite out or if it's the opposite?

As a point of reference, in June '23 we had a Sunflare panel added to our UT at the NuCamp Service Center.
This is the panel cost from the invoice: 
- SOLAR PANEL - TAB 400 - 162W - $639.52 
Installation was about the same cost.  They did a very nice, OEM style installation with no wiring exposed.  I had installed and wired the second controller ahead of time.
We're very satisfied with the system performance with this added to the standard front panel.
Have fun!

Cherokee

elbolillo said:

Cherokee said:

Just note that a portable solar cells will allow you to park in the shade while you place the solar in the sun. More expensive trailers like MDC mount their solar on the roof with spacers to allow air to dissipate the heat retained in the panels - they are far more efficient mounted that way

Yeah, but it is hard to charge with a portable solar panel when traveling.

And while a portable panel vs one that is surface mounted certainly will be more efficient (17% vs 23%), mounting a panel on the roof of a Tab with room for airflow would certainly be a bit more of a challenge.

Gee, if your TV's electrical system can't charge your T@B going down the road with factory solar, I'd recommend  getting a stronger alternator. Boondocking with the trailer in the shade and portable solar setting in the sun was what II was talking about. If one doesn't have the skill to meet the "challenge" of mounting cells on the roof, a good Trailer shop like Pack West in Sacramento can do it for you. We can't let the Aussies have all the fun. 

AnOldUR

rfuss928 said:
As a point of reference ... - SOLAR PANEL - TAB 400 - 162W - $639.52

Thanks. That gives me an idea of what to expect. Curious/nervous to find out how much difference there will be between that 162W panel and the 310W that they are now using. The newer panel is not much bigger, but that doesn't mean a lot.

Looks like a nice clean job that nuCamp did on your installation. It's very tempting to have someone else do this. I'm mostly nervous about damaging the roof when removing the old panel, but still looking forward to the challenge in a sick sort of way. 

B0atguy

We have a 24 400 , without the Black Canyon package (wish we had it !) . So , we have the single 310w solar panel on the rear . Was interested in adding the 2nd 310w solar panel to the front , so basically the Black Canyon solar part of the package. 
Well .........that was until we heard the price . Are you sitting down ???
I was talking to another T@B 400 owner a little while ago , and they had the NuCamp factory in Sugarcreek install the 2nd 310w panel on their 400 . The price - just shy of $2400 . The cost also included an upgrade of the Victron Mppt as well , but still ! The panel alone was just under $1k . 
As much as I would like to have the additional 310w panel on our roof , not sure I can justify that kind of $$$ . I will prob bite the bullet and pick up the Renogy 400w portable for closer to $400. 
I will attach the NuCamp invoice on the 310w solar panel install. NOTE: - this is not my invoice, but from another member that had this done. 

AnOldUR

B0atguy said:

.... Are you sitting down ???

It doesn't completely surprise me, but it does make this mod harder to justify.

That invoice makes me wonder how much nuCamp is marking up prices. That SmartSolar 100/30 sells for $120 on Amazon through a third party. I'm sure that both Amazon and the vendor are profiting from the sale, so it's hard to figure where the nuCamp $226.10 price is coming from.