I need HELP!!!: Solar wiring

Solar wiring

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12121
Printed Date: 10 May 2025 at 5:34pm
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Topic: Solar wiring

Posted By: Sherwood
Subject: Solar wiring
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 2:24pm

i have a new 2019 RPT 190. Can anyone direct me to a schematic for the installed solar wiring? I'm mainly interested in determining whether there is a reverse protection diode already installed in that circuitry.

Replies:

Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 3:58pm

You do need a reverse polarity pig tail if you want to plug your non zamp panel into the zamp plug on the side of the pod.

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 4:03pm

Sherwood, to my knowledge answer is no. I use that port for 12V access to something else and I have found it is wired directly to battery.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: Sherwood
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 5:06pm

Hi Leo and McCarter. Thanks for your replies. Well, that's exactly why I asked the question about the "reverse protection diode". Most systems have that protection built in, so that if you accidentally hook the system up with reverse polarity, the diode prevents current flow, thus saving an expensive controller. I just looked at the polarity of the port on my Rpod (2019 model), and it appears that it is wired backwards. Typically for safety reasons, the positive terminal on a ZAMP connector is the hooded connection, where the male is negative. That method is used to prevent accidentally touching the positive pole to something valuable, and causing a short circuit. I will ask Forest River if they have a schematic of that system, and if so, I'll post that location here on the Forum. Thanks again!

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 5:24pm

Look at the battery connections. The plug is a plug. Mine is hardwired to Batt.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2018 at 8:35am

When I wired my solar system in our 2009 Pod, in addition following the red/black convention for polarity, I connected the plugs such that the negative and positive cannot be mixed up because the male/female orientation is reversed, thus the negative plug cannot fit into the positive. If the ZAMP connector is not configured this way, then you need to be really careful or you can swap the male/female orientation on one wire to prevent accidental mixup.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2018 at 10:09am

Originally posted by Sherwood

. I will ask Forest River if they have a schematic of that system, and if so, I'll post that location here on the Forum. Thanks again!

They don't.

It's wired straight to the batteries. Just reverse the cables at the batteries.

I don't think anyone has made a controller in a very long time that didn't have reverse polarity protection built it. The solar connection on the Pod sidewall is made and installed specifically for use with a basic suitcase solar system, with built in controller. If an owner wants to install a more advanced system, they pretty much ignore the sidewall connector, and build and install a system from scratch.

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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2018 at 10:47am

As others have stated, the zamp connector goes straight to the battery(ies). You can just reverse those two wires at the battery(ies). If they are the wrong color, you might get a foot each of red and black shrink tube, and put the "proper" color on each wire.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost