2018 Tab 400 Solar panel removal/replacement

sprcpr

Sorry if this has been asked before and answered.  I did a cursory search of the forum before posting.

I have a 2018 Tab 400 with 190W of solar on the roof (appears to be factory).  The panel appears to be dead.  I spoke to a previous owner, and he confirmed he was having reduced output of the panel a couple of years ago.  The panel was checked at the connection on the roof and there is no output.  There is also no light on the PV side of the controller.  There is a light on the battery side, and I did change the controller over to lithium successfully when the battery was changed.  

1.  How does one remove the dead solar panel?  It appears to be glued down.  There are little yellow buttons but they don't seem to be holding anything.  

2.  I would like to upgrade to a larger panel.  Any suggestions?

AnOldUR

I replaced the small solar panel on my 2020 320S with one of the 310W panels that nuCamp uses. Here's a link to that upgrade ....

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/19295/upgrading-the-100w-solar-panel-on-a-2020-320s#latest

pthomas745

Welcome to the Forums.

There are various threads about panel removal.  The thread above from @AnOldUR shows the basic process, but I'm betting the difference between a 2018 and a 2020 could be pertinent.

https://www.qwant.com/?client=plgn-firefox-sb&q=remove+installed+panel++site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&t=web

You will see the threads where dealers used various "adhesives" to attach the panel, which can be quite a problem.

One owner in this thread simply installed new panels over the old.  The question will always be how the wiring for the panels enter the trailer, as Anoldur found in his install.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/13878/2019-tab400-factory-solar-panels-dead

tphaggerty

If it is on with double stick VHB tape, you can use some strong (maybe 50 lb test) monofilament fishing line to remove by using the line like a cheese slicer behind the panel. There are YouTube videos showing how to do this. Still have to cleanup the tape residue (or not if you are covering it with a new panel). 

Wonder if the panel is still under warranty? 

Horigan

I've had luck using plastic razor blades and 3M adhesive remover.  Takes off most of the residue.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076BBW1WM?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1