Originally posted by 802 JJ
hello podderslooking for advice on solar panels for an r pod. the dealer that im dealing with is really pushing the zamp panels. they seem great but the price is pretty scary. i know the r pods have a zamp plug in but cant you get the zamp plug and install it on different panels ? im wondering what you all else are using and if you like them. thanks Jonathan |
You can read about what I and others have done to address this exact issue here.
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5017&title=connecting-a-100-watt-solar-panel-to-zamp-port
There is nothing special about the 'Zamp port'. It's a standard 2 wire universal connector socket, and you can find connectors at just about any hardware store of any size.
The only two sizable components you need to get going with a Zamp-ready plug in are a solar panel and a charge controller. You can get a 100 watt Renogy panel and a 10 amp charge controller on Amazon for under $200.
In the thread referenced above, I show how I connected my solar panel with an extension cord to my charge controller and then with a connector from the charge controller to the Zamp port. The connector I used has an in-line 10 amp fuse built in, and the fuses are identical to those used in automobiles.