Expansion Solar Panel for 2023 Micro Minnie 2108FBS

[bcborn]

Hello, Found myself a 2023 Micro Minnie 2108FBS. Standard equipment is 200 watts Go solar on roof. (Believe it the Overlander Model). Can anyone confirm this.

I've asked the seller to quote on the install of a second 200 watt panel. Besides exact same size, does it have to be the exact same make and model?

Is install an easy peasy, (4 brackets to the roof) or is getting the dealer to do it a recommendation.

Thanks

 

[Gunny Rio]

I put another 200W on our 1708FB. We stuck with the same panel from GoPower. The critical aspect to solar is to make sure the voltages are the same for wiring in parallel.

I later put another 100W panel across the front also wired in parallel. With the analytical wattage being 500, the most I’ve ever actually pulled is 380W, that is right at the wire gage limitation of 30A.

Installation of the panels wasn’t complicated. The tricky part is to make sure the brackets are screwed into the trusses and not just into the deck plywood. I had to use a deep scan stud finder to locate the edge of the trusses. I also put a bed of Dicor 501LSW roof sealant underneath the brackets then another layer over the top.

An important part of the installation was to install an air spoiler at the front edge of the panels to divert oncoming air over the top of the panel rather than allow it to flow underneath it – you don’t want that panel to get ripped off while you’re on the highway.

 

[creativepart]

An important part of the installation was to install an air spoiler at the front edge of the panels to divert oncoming air over the top of the panel rather than allow it to flow underneath it – you don’t want that panel to get ripped off while you’re on the highway.

This step may be important to you but this is not typical of most solar panel installations. In fact I’ve never heard of a) anyone doing this and b) of anyone having their solar panels blown off with a typical installation. Definitely not a common practice.

The factory doesn’t do this, many dozens of YouTube installs (hundreds?) don’t do this and I certainly did not do this and in 8 yrs and 60,000 miles not a hint of any wind issues.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

FYI, My solar on the roof came with a wind diverter from WBGO. 200watt panel on MM2108FBS, model year 2024.
Bill

 

[creativepart]

FYI, My solar on the roof came with a wind diverter from WBGO. 200watt panel on MM2108FBS, model year 2024.
Bill

Really, not only didn’t mine come with any such thing but the panel is broadside to forward travel.

I’d assume if this is a thing that it would be a common product on the market. I’ve never seen such a product mentioned.

And as I said I’ve watched dozens of solar install videos from both amateurs and professionals and never seen this mentioned or done.

Of course it doesn’t hurt anything to do this, but I certainly wouldn’t describe it as anything vitally important.

 

[bcborn]

A couple 2108 Micro Minnie's I looked at had the deflector. One was a 2022 and the other this 2023.

Attached is a picture of the 2023 deflector.

As for mounting, I was thinking If I mounted the additional 200watts bracket to the panel in the exact same location to match the OEM and placed it in the same location (to right) on the roof. I would hit the trusses as mentioned.

Length of screws, if included with panel, would they typically be the correct length.

Thanks for the instruction to put Dicor down, prior to seating the the brackets. Yes on top as with all mounted items.

Mounting should take no longer than 1 hour. Dealer wants close to $400 US labour, and little over $500 for the panel plus $50 in supplies.

 

[Pointyears]

If that's right at the front edge of the roof like it looks like I can understand why they have something because there's WAYYYYY more airflow there than if it was set back more.
Then again, one can get the same effect with a piece of RV tape on the leading edge of the panel.

 

[creativepart]

So I did some research on this and guess what? Some say you gotta add a deflector and same say you don’t. As best as I could tell it was much more common with travel trailers than motorhomes. And it seemed pretty evenly split between yea and nay.

I just have never seen anyone do this let alone see anyone say it was important to do.

Live and learn that’s for sure.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Here is a pic of the stock wind deflector that came from WBGO. Black piece at the leading edge of the 200 watt solar panel on our 2024 WBGO MM 2108FBS. Knowing WBGO and other TT mfgrs., I don’t they would put another nickel into the fab if they didn’t have to…
Bill

 

[bcborn]

Gunny Rio, you stated "Installation of the panels wasn’t complicated."

I'm received a quote from the dealer, he wants $350 to install the panel on the roof. Plus $50 in materials.

How long did it take you to mount the panel?

Thanks,

 

[Pointyears]

$400 is (barely) tolerable if it includes the panel. If it doesn’t It’s too high.

 

[Gunny Rio]

bcborn,
Installation 'might' have taken me 45 min to completely install, inspect, and verify output of that panel. I feel 350 labor is high. 50 for materials seems right for brackets, stainless fasteners, sealant, and a solar pig-tail splitter.

 

[bcborn]

"$50 for materials seems right for brackets, stainless fasteners, sealant, and a solar pig-tail splitter."

The GoPower E-200 Overlander Expansion Kit is on sale at E-trailer for $415.99. Kit includes panel, brackets and solar pig-tail splitter. Assume screws to mount brackets to panel are too, not sure about brackets to trailer.

 

[Gunny Rio]

Holy cow! Thats a great deal. I paid 500 for the same panel with no hardware.

 

[bcborn]

Now that is assuming it's the Overlander Panel. GoPower also makes an 200W Eclipse Panel.

I'm not 100% sure which panel Winnebago used on the non FX Micro Minnie.

I emailed Winnebago Towables Customer Service, no reply yet.

Anybody here able to confirm what model is actually used in 2023 when they went to 200Watt?

 

[Thindirtline]

I bought and installed a second 200 watt panel. It was very easy. I used two strips of al alloy for a wind deflector. Seven of the 8 screws hit frame with only one rear one that missed. Have thousands of miles and over 100 nights of camping with no issues.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Born, any news from WBGO towables yet? I might have to ask them with my VIN #…
Thx! Bill

 

[bcborn]

Winnebago Towables sent me the owners manual, I replyed the manual pertains to many models.

Said I dont want to lift the single OEM one to read the manufacturer tag.

I asked for the ASCOPS for the trailer, that lists the make, model and serial number installed.

I await.

 

[bcborn]

Thindirtline, I'm hoping the matching expansion panel has the same mounting brackets in the same location as the OEM mounted one.

I will then setback the expansion panel from the front and sides as original (opposite site) and hit 8 out of 8.