Zamp Port Wiring
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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=13295
Printed Date: 13 May 2025 at 6:23pm
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Topic: Zamp Port Wiring
Posted By: Colt
Subject: Zamp Port Wiring
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2019 at 8:15pm
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How is my Zamp port wired into the battery? Will Forest River give me a wiring diagram? I called Zamp and was told their units have built-in charge controllers. So I used my favorite solar panel and a charge controller and plugged it into the Zamp port. Didn't charge the battery, but I get battery voltage at the Zamp port.
For now the panel is connected directly to the battery and my disconnect switch is open. That disconnects the Zamp port, too, but keeps the radio from killing the battery. ------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |
Replies:
Posted By: Jeepinator
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2019 at 10:11pm
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If you didn’t use a Zamp panel you probably need a polarity reverser. Zamp is backwards. Your email was a bit confusing regarding the controller. There is no controller built into the Zamp connection on the RPod that I am aware of. I have a portable panel with controller and polarity reverse adapter and it works perfectly. ------------- 2018 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2017 179 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 8:08am
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Our new trailer comes with one of those Zamp Port connectors attached to the front of the trailer at the bottom. I peeked underneath and it looks like it is just hooked to terminal block that has a couple of stouter cables coming off it to be connected to the battery. Am I hallucinating once again? I was thinking I'd just disconnect the Zamp plug and make a new connection from the terminal block to leads that would go to my controller that I've been using on our old Pod very successfully. Jeepinator mentioned that polarity on the Zamp plug is backwards. I assume that they do follow normal DC wiring conventions, or do they do that backwards too? ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 9:36am
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Jeepinator
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 10:07am
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To reverse the polarity you just need a simple adapter similar to https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K7DFMDW/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_nKv2Db0E0F2NE - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K7DFMDW/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_nKv2Db0E0F2NE ------------- 2018 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2017 179 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 10:59am
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Thanks for the info. On the Sonoma, there is a terminal block where the Zamp connector, with maybe #14 wire, connects to a block that has +/- #12 wire for leads to the battery. Inasmuch as my current solar system is all #10 wire in and out of the controller and to the 100W panel, it seems the Zamp wires are a little skimpy. I was going to connect heavier wire to make up a plug system to make it easy to connect the controller, using MC4 connectors. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 11:00am
You probably found the 30a auto-breaker!  My solar in the side plug runs through this before it reaches the battery. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 11:16am
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I didn't get a very good look at what was there, just that it appeared to be connected to some sort of junction block. I have a 30 amp breaker in the box that I set up to hold the controller. It's a little more convenient, so if there is one underneath getting full of water and crud, I'll probably bypass it. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2019 at 7:06am
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Use a voltmeter to determine polarity before you connect anything. There is really no "normal" dc wiring convention. Vehicles typically follow the back negative red positive convention, but RV house wiring generally follows the national electric code requirements, white neutral (negative) and black hot (positive). There have also been cases where things are miswired. So confirm before connecting. The Zamp port adds to the confusion by reversing the connector from its "normal" configuration. There is no need to use it at all if you don't want to, you can connect your solar charge controller to the battery any way you want. Do add a fuse or circuit breaker as close to the battery positive terminal as reasonably possible. That applies to the Zamp circuit too, the Zamp circuit doesn't appear to have a fuse but should. You can use a 30 amp fuse or cb for 10 gauge wire, if you go with 12 gauge wire then use a 20 amp fuse. i wouldn't use a wire size any smaller than that, too much voltage drop. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2019 at 4:17pm
That is the answer I was looking for. I checked polarity and made harnesses accordingly. I think the 25 watt panel I used could not generate enough current to overcome the radio draw during my initial tests, making me think it wasn't working. Hooked directly to the battery, my handmade panel and controller is keeping the battery well charged, with no loads. Thanks!! ------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: poohbill
Date Posted: 29 Nov 2019 at 12:52pm
| Mine too. |
Posted By: Andy
Date Posted: 29 Nov 2019 at 10:28pm
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The plastic cover for the Zamp connector finally got eaten up by the Southwest sun and broke off. Anyone replaced theirs? Thanks ------------- 2017 179 2016 Silverado Z71 |