solar? Zamp alternative?
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Topic: solar? Zamp alternative?
Posted By: Melita Clemons
Subject: solar? Zamp alternative?
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2018 at 1:33pm
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I have an R-Pod 179 2017 on the side it has a Solar panel outlet, but when i go to the website I get redirected and for the most part all I can find is Zamp brand solar panel for $600.00. that is way too much when all I want is a small charger like 20 app so my battery doesnt die. is there any alternatives to the zamp besides a clamp on directly to the battery? and if I use a clamp on is it possible to over charge the battery? if anyone has any thoughts I would appreciate it. I would so much rather use the plug in I have but not finding a way. ------------- Lita |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2018 at 1:49pm
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You can use any panel you want."ZAMP" isn't the name of the connector.. "SAE" is. You can buy an SAE connector tons of places. Splice it into the panel output.Solar won't "over charge the battery" regardless of how it's hooked up, the solar controller handles the charge voltage and amperage. ------------- |
Posted By: Melita Clemons
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2018 at 1:10am
I get that Zamp is a brand of solar panels... OK SAE connector... how do I know which of the two wires coming off the panel goes to which of the prongs of the SAE plug? I saw something about it being backwards from any other brand but Zamp. and that hooking it up backwards could ruin, either the controller in the camper or the panel. do you know anything about that? thank you so much.  ------------- Lita |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2018 at 7:33am
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Use a multimeter. Make sure the ends that are going to connect are the same polarity. If you hook up the panels backwards the solar controller will tell you. For portable panels, the controller isn't in the camper, it's on the panels.
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Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2018 at 7:43am
| If its backwards it wont hurt your portable panel, it just won't work. I have a Renogy and I simply reversed the wiring from the panel - red goes to black and vice versa. |
Posted By: Melita Clemons
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2018 at 10:18am
 thanks yall!
------------- Lita |