Want to add flexible solar panels?

lkc001 · July 31

2018 Tab 400 new to me- this trailer has 2 way 12v fridge not 3 way— I find I'm using much more battery power with fridge running when boondocking of course. Am looking at upgrading to a kit with 500 watts flexible solar panels that come with a charge controller that mounts on back of solar panel. Would I need any other type of charge controller inside trlr? I have a port on the side of the trlr that I now use a suitcase 100W panel but this panel is rigid with metal frame & is heavy. I have two very good deep cycle AGM lead acid batteries. Anyone using flexible solar panels that you have temporarily mount to trailer that can be taken down easily for travel? Needs to be closer to ground than roof -am a senior female- i cannot climb ladders & don't want to glue to trailer roof & drill holes & cannot be lifting heavy things like I used to! I know that people suggest going to lithium batteries however they have to be taken in & out of trailer for storage over winter & I cannot do that myself twice a year. Any suggestions would be appreciated thank you

BillCB · August 1

I have a lithium battery in my 400 and do not remove it for the winter. I do disconnect it. After three winters it's fine.

As to extra solar power, I wouldn't put it on the roof because that means you only get power if the trailer is oriented appropriately and not shaded by trees. I too have a 100W suitcase, as you do, and a 20ft cable usually lets me set it in direct sun (if it's sunny!). Yes, it is quite heavy but manageable - I'm 82.

qhumberd · August 1

I have a port on the side of the trlr that I now use a suitcase 100W panel but this panel is rigid with metal frame & is heavy

@lkc001 I too have a portable solar 100 W panel and found that newer versions are cheaper and much lighter. I got a Jackery solar battery setup as a gift and the 100 W panel I got with that was more powerful and MUCH lighter than my old rigid Renogy 100 W. I think that you could probably get a 200 W panel now for less weight than some of the older 100 W panels. And I moved to a lithium too and it will run our 2 Way fridge for days. Once you make the switch you will wonder why you stuck with the AGMs.

Horigan · August 1

@lkc001 I would check out Renogy portable panels. Very light and powerful. They do require a controller in the trailer, which I would suggest you go with so the panel is lighter to deal with. We run our wire through the passenger side access hatch.

https://www.renogy.com/collections/portable-solar-panels

pthomas745 · August 1

You are thinking the right way. More solar will equal more charging for the batteries, and more comfortable camping without electrical hookups.

How old are the batteries in your 2018? Can you get us a photo of the batteries so maybe we can get an idea?

There are so many urban legends about lithium batteries, it is hard to keep up. Even if you live where jet fuel freezes, a lithium battery inside your 400 can be protected with a simple blanket. Or a hot water bottle. These batteries have been inside thousands of trailers for more than 5 years now, and the rates of failure are very low. A battery upgrade….is very simple.

There are many panels that straddle the line between the old "aluminum framed" setups and the flimsy "flexible panels". There are lightweight solar setups that are "semi rigid" that are very easy to handle and fold up nicely and are very light. These Dokio panels have various "wattage" options, are extremely light, and…not expensive. The solar controllers are "modular" and are essentially plug and play with the (apparently) correct setup to simply plug right into your "solar port". If you are already using a "suitcase" setup, you know how the solar port can work. There are other companies that make solar setups like these so, have a look at them at Amazon, etc.

Dokio Solar Setups

We can show you how to do all these things. Take a picture of your batteries. If they are "originals" from 2018 or so..that might be the issue with your battery usage.

lkc001 · 2:59PM

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/222568#Comment_222568

Thank you so much— can't take a pic right now- trlr is not at my house- I got 2 new WEIZE deep cycle batteries 2 years ago & my mobile repairman put them side by side in the hatch under back bed with a trickle charge shunt so I can trickle charge batteries all winter. I will definitely look at these Dokio setups -- the semi rigid lighter panels sound like a good option-- waiting on my repair guy to call me back so I can discuss going to lithium-- have been putting it off because of the cost but I just don't have enough power to boondocks & run this 12v fridge for days. Im just going to have tdo it. Thank you

Want to add flexible solar panels?

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