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Budward View Drop Down
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Joined: 21 Apr 2014
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Posts: 438 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Zamp Solar
    Posted: 27 Apr 2014 at 11:35am
Got curious to see if the Zamp jack on my 179 was diode isolated, ie can only be used as an input.
NOPE! no diode Smile
That means if Zamp jack equipped it will be easy to have a 12V source outside for phone charging or whatever, simple to make up an adapter to plug into the Zamp jack and dangle the requisite cigarette lighter jack off it....

I despise cigarette lighter jacks and plugs but they are the most common 12v connection for phone chargers etc.
I haven't chased the wiring and fuse yet to see what current capacity can be drawn....but surely it will handle at least 7 amps if an 80 watt panel plugs in.

Sure wish FR published their wiring diagrams...
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Boomertype View Drop Down
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Posts: 108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Apr 2014 at 12:19pm
There is a Zamp Solar for sale over on the FaceBook group. 60 amp, new and unused, $310 shipped.
Check it out.
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Posts: 7 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 9:58am
I am not sure what is so special about the Zamp that the cost is 2-3 times that of a Renogy solar panel.  Just received a 100W from Amazon with the charge controller for $165.  It seems to work very well so far.  I have used a Renogy unit on a previous trailer for several years without any problems.
Deb, Rich, and Cocoa
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 11:14am
Nothing special about it that I can tell, other than it folds and has a padded case. People often like a "packaged" answer, and they (zamp) provide it. 
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Posts: 108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 12:27pm
I looked at the panels on Amazon and they don't offer the stands that fold up and a digital readout on the controller.  Zamp also has much longer cord and with options for the plug-in on the trailer.  You do get more, and it's more ready to roll right out of the box.  No stands to bring along, not cords to modify.  
I'm sure the Amazon ones work fine, but they are not really ready to roll, pull out and use.  Zamp is filling a need and people will be willing to pay for that.
 
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Posts: 7 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 2:51pm
The non-Zamp panels do require a few minutes connection time, but nothing more than making a couple screw connections.  My point is that there are alternatives for both flat and fold-up suitcase style panels that are simple and much more cost effective.
Deb, Rich, and Cocoa
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Hairy Podders View Drop Down
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Posts: 217 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 9:01pm
Brown dropped off our Zamp 80 watt solar panel this afternoon. Its gonna be very handy to use & store. Plus I won't need to do the treasure hunt for some little obscure piece after reading somewhere online that "ÿep, it fits" . I'm tired of playing that game....
Darryl, Julie & Lindsey
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2014 RP178
2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
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Jdub View Drop Down
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Posts: 94 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 9:09pm
It would be a lot more forward thinking to have USB chargers that you could directly wire instead of the 12 v cigarette lighter crap. 
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Posts: 217 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 9:24pm

our '14 178 has a SAE connector on the curbside rear corner. The 80 watt solar panel has the same connector, along with a fuse & a set of alligator clips that also plug into the SAE connector.
Plug N Play!
Darryl, Julie & Lindsey
Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines
2014 RP178
2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 10:18pm
Originally posted by Jdub

It would be a lot more forward thinking to have USB chargers that you could directly wire instead of the 12 v cigarette lighter crap. 

 
While this is a discussion about zamp solar panels.. there ARE usb ports you can hardwire on the 12v side. We have two. We also have two cigarette lighter style. We also have two built in usb ports on the 120v side.
 
 
 
I think they are shown in this thread.. furpods mods..
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