Zamp Solar - Event Date: 27 Jul 2015

No one has really addressed what watt is sufficient regardless of brand.
Is 80 okay? Too much, not enough?

Ended up placing an order for the Renogy 100 watt. We'll see!

In the thread below, I show how I connected a 100 watt Renogy solar panel to the Zamp port. It's a simple process when you have the correct equipment, which I discuss.

If you are willing/able to make several adjustments to the solar panel throughout the day so that you get maximum direct sunlight, you can send about 30 amps (360 watt hours in 12 volt terms) to your batteries. This takes into account the inefficiencies of battery charging.

360 watt hours is enough to power a 30 watt device for 12 hours, for instance. Whether this is enough is dependent on what you're planning on running. This should be enough to keep your refrigerator's electrical panel going, allow for lighting in the evening, and let you run the Fantastic Fan for a bit as well. If you want more than that, you'll probably need multiple panels.

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5017&title=connecting-a-100-watt-solar-panel-to-zamp-port

Originally posted by furpod Zamp is not the least expensive.. doesn't make them a "ripoff" any more than a Mercedes is a ripoff. Can other cars get you from a to b for less money? yes. But that doesn't have jack to do with if you were ripped off or not buying it.

Again this is just my opinion:  Yes a Mercedes costs more than a Hyundai of same size, and it is generally accepted that the Mercedes is a better quality product.  In this solar panel scenario, I think you're paying Mercedes price for the Hyundai quality.  I haven't seen anything to show that the zamp panels are any better than renogy.

We have a portable 80W Go Power panel, works great.  However, this spring we installed a 100W Solarflex panel on the pod roof.  We cannot store the pod at home so now the (dual) batteries are always charged, even after sitting in the storage place for several weeks.  It has been a big simplification in our podding.  We haven't yet had to plug in the portable panel, but may need it if we park in the shade, or when the daylight hours decrease.