Zamp Solar
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4623
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 10:53pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Zamp Solar
Posted By: CasaJack
Subject: Zamp Solar
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 12:27pm
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My 2014 182G came with the Zamp Solar outlet on the back of the trailer. Has anyone purchased the Zamp Solar 120 Watt http://www.zampsolar.com/Portable_Solar_Kits.htm?m=87&s=581 If so, does it work well?
------------- Jackdaddy |
Replies:
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 3:56pm
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They are all new just in the past few months. I haven't read of anyone having field tested the Zamp unit yet at all. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 8:16pm
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Didn't someone in Canada just use one on the way to the west coast? I thought we were awaiting a report.
That said, we are in the final decision making on buying one on Ebay. Not sure whether to get a 40watt(the size Forest River sells) or go with an 80 watt. Gotta make sure that the 80 watt will fit in the storage compartment. ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 10:47pm
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I've been looking at solar and I'm thinking a 80 watt should be the ticket with either a single or dual battery setup. Quicker charge than the 40 which means you don't have to leave it out and setup as long. You wouldn't want to leave it out, unattended, while you're out messing around.
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Posted By: OregonTrail
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 11:43pm
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Would love to hear a review on these...what would be the ultimate size for a dual battery setup?? 120 watt? |
Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2014 at 12:22am
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4477 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4477 
------------- Cary 2014 RP-177 |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2014 at 4:58am
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Looking at the Zamp Solar chargers on Ebay; The 40Watt charger has an Anderson plug on it, the 80 Watt has a SAE plug on it. Both also come with alligator clips. Since our 2014 178 is Solar ready, does anyone know FOR SURE which plug that our 178 requires? Trying to avoid the "treasure hunt" after the purchase... ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2014 at 7:28am
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SAE.
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Posted By: CasaJack
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2014 at 9:28am
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Thank you everybody. I think the 120 watt one would be the best but it's pricy - about $600.00. The 80 watt one is about $400.00 but my guess is that it would take several more hours to charge your batteries than the 120 watt one. Anyway, I look forward to hearing more on this topic. ------------- Jackdaddy |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2014 at 12:40pm
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Thanks for the info, Mark. ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2014 at 11:35am
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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  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... |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2014 at 12:19pm
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There is a Zamp Solar for sale over on the FaceBook group. 60 amp, new and unused, $310 shipped.
Check it out. |
Posted By: cubsfan
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 9:58am
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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 R-Pod 179 Yukon XL |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 11:14am
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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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Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 12:27pm
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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. |
Posted By: cubsfan
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 2:51pm
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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 R-Pod 179 Yukon XL |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 9:01pm
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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 Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: Jdub
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 9:09pm
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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. |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 9:24pm
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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 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 10:18pm
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.
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Systems-Charger-Socket/dp/B0082CXEI8 - 12v USB
http://www.amazon.com/CurrentWerks-UI-2222-DLA-Outlet-In-Wall-Decorator/dp/B0074LLYNA - 120v USB
I think they are shown in this thread.. http://www.rpodnation.com/some-of-our-mods-so-far-with-pics_topic2786_page1.html - furpods mods.. ------------- |
Posted By: OhTallMan
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 11:23pm
I also have a 2014 178, but nothing was mentioned about being "solar ready." I am new to all this. - - What would make the pod solar ready? - - Does the panels only charge the battery, or can it actually run the 12V system on the pod? Thanks ------------- ______________________________ 2014 Honda Ridgeline 2014 R-Pod 178 |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2014 at 12:10am
The Zamp Solar models have a plug usually on the passenger side rear area. Depends on when in the cycle it was built. They charge the battery or batteries. |