ZAMP wiring
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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=6566
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 3:45pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: ZAMP wiring
Posted By: johnmaci
Subject: ZAMP wiring
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2015 at 7:39am
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For those newer PODS that come ZAMP ready, does anyone know how they are wired? I just purchased the ZAMP Roof and Sidewall Port and would like to install it; Does it connect directly to the battery or to the wiring? Thanks, JD |
Replies:
Posted By: Pooterpod
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2015 at 8:46am
| There are two loose terminal leads ( red and white) that exit the wiring bundle at the front of the Pod so I guess the answer would be connect directly to the battery. |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2015 at 9:33am
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Thank you. I was hoping they would have connected somewhere in the wiring panel or wiring bundle as a more "proper" installation. |
Posted By: Pooterpod
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2015 at 6:07pm
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2015 at 10:51pm
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From what I have heard there is no fuse, so I recommend adding a fuse at the battery connection. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2015 at 8:42am
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Directly to the battery is the correct way to hook them up. Line loss is an actual issue, and the most direct connection is the most efficient. I mounted my connector right to one of the battery box lids. ------------- |
Posted By: Pooterpod
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2015 at 12:57pm
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Posted By: Marx
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2015 at 8:22am
Great point and idea here for safety! ------------- 2014 R-POD 177 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2015 at 9:28am
Why Forest River does some of the stuff they do can only be answered by Miss Cleo... ------------- |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2015 at 11:59pm
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Iv'e traced them, it's two #10 wires (red and white) directly to the battery. The distance is not a problem as far as voltage using 10 gauge wire. It's possible that plugging and sparking up front with batteries gassing and propane and all may be part of the logic to place the plug all the way in the rear? Dunno... ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: mikeyg2347
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2015 at 2:51pm
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Speaking of line loss, how much cable do you think is feasible before the charger becomes seriously inefficient? My Renogy came with 15' of cable which isn't nearly enough to take full advantage of the sun if you're under trees at all. ------------- Mike |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2015 at 6:01pm
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There are a few variables, but stranded copper 10g wire will lose about .25 volts every 15 feet. Your controller may have an adjustable output, or automatic.
------------- |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2015 at 9:34pm
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This solar wire size calculator may help and has more info about some of the variables... 10g is a pretty good size tube, presumably done by FR and Zamp to mute any critics about the wire being to small. I think FR and Zamp nailed it. There is no money to be saved where wire is used for power transmission.  http://www.freesunpower.com/wire_calc.php#startRed - Wire sizing calculator for Solar Panel Arrays ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: mikeyg2347
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 10:22am
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That calculator is really cool. Makes it easy for the rookie/amateur (me) to get a fast answer. Looks like if I use 10 gauge cable I can go about 35' from the Zamp port and keep the line loss to less than 3%. Solar chargers can be a challenge when you want the trailer in the shade, but the solar panel needs to be in the sun. Thanks for the link. ------------- Mike |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 12:31pm
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Ditto on the calculator!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 7:30pm
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LOL, Good Deal...don't forget to add the original 20' or so if you are using the Zamp Plug!
Another acceptable practice if you don't know the amperage output of a panel, you can figure 1 amp for ever 15 watts of panel size. So a 50w panel is rated at about 3 amps out and a 100w panel at 6. Since amperage increases power flow, distance will be shorter and/or wire size will be larger. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: mikeyg2347
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 9:08pm
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Yep, I factored in the wire from the connector to the battery for a total distance of 20'. Should be OK with 10 gauge wire all the way from the charger to the battery. ------------- Mike |
Posted By: mikeyg2347
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 9:09pm
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oooops, I mean total distance of 50'. 20' plus 30', uh, somebody help me here...I ran out of fingers and toes. ------------- Mike |
Posted By: shanebevel
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2015 at 11:02pm
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As a weird side note, the first thing I thought when I saw the port was power access! The plug used (while not the awesome Anderson Power Pole) is a standard connector, so a man could build a pigtail to whatever he wanted and access 12v from the back of the camper through a sizable cable. Ham radio/chargers/12v led lantern all kinds of stuff. My only thought was that I didn't know if it ran through a converter of some type, but it looks like a direct connection, so that's pretty cool! So in theory, any solar panel producing 12v+ could be used here right? Not just a zamp branded kit. Shane
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2015 at 12:19pm
Yes you can add a SAE connector to any panel/controller combo and feed at that port.. and yes.. 12v goes both ways.. so you could add a properly wired SAE connector to anything 12v you wanted to power outside.  ------------- |
Posted By: shanebevel
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2015 at 12:23pm
| Yup, or a SAE to PowerPole pigtail and then I can power everything I already have with PowerPoles. Why more people don't use that connector, I don't know. They are just awesome. |