R-pod Owners Forum : Zamp Port Wiring http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Zamp Port Wiring Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 20 May 2026 19:39:12 +0000 Fri, 29 Nov 2019 22:28:54 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=13295 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Zamp Port Wiring : The plastic cover for the Zamp... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128406#128406 Author: Andy
Subject: 13295
Posted: 29 Nov 2019 at 10:28pm

The plastic cover for the Zamp connector finally got eaten up by the Southwest sun and broke off.  Anyone replaced theirs?

Thanks
]]> Fri, 29 Nov 2019 22:28:54 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128406#128406 Zamp Port Wiring : Mine too. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128396#128396 Author: poohbill
Subject: 13295
Posted: 29 Nov 2019 at 12:52pm

Mine too.]]> Fri, 29 Nov 2019 12:52:15 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128396#128396 Zamp Port Wiring : Originally posted by Jeepi... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128339#128339 Author: Colt
Subject: 13295
Posted: 24 Nov 2019 at 4:17pm

Originally posted by Jeepinator

........................

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.


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!!
]]> Sun, 24 Nov 2019 16:17:25 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128339#128339 Zamp Port Wiring : Use a voltmeter to determine polarity... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128328#128328 Author: offgrid
Subject: 13295
Posted: 24 Nov 2019 at 7:06am

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. 


]]> Sun, 24 Nov 2019 07:06:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128328#128328 Zamp Port Wiring : I didn't get a very good... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128320#128320 Author: lostagain
Subject: 13295
Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 11:16am

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.]]> Sat, 23 Nov 2019 11:16:20 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128320#128320 Zamp Port Wiring : Originally posted by lostagainOur... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128318#128318 Author: Olddawgsrule
Subject: 13295
Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 11:00am

Originally posted by lostagain

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?


You probably found the 30a auto-breaker! 

My solar in the side plug runs through this before it reaches the battery. 
]]> Sat, 23 Nov 2019 11:00:46 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128318#128318 Zamp Port Wiring : Thanks for the info. On the Sonoma,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128317#128317 Author: lostagain
Subject: 13295
Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 10:59am

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.
]]> Sat, 23 Nov 2019 10:59:39 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128317#128317 Zamp Port Wiring : To reverse the polarity you just... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128316#128316 Author: Jeepinator
Subject: 13295
Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 10:07am

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


]]> Sat, 23 Nov 2019 10:07:34 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128316#128316 Zamp Port Wiring : Originally posted by lostagainOur... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128314#128314 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 13295
Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 9:36am

Originally posted by lostagain

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? 
The Zamp thing is just connected directly to the battery(ies). There might be a terminal block, but it's pretty much straight through. No solar controller or anything. And yes, there was a period when the Zamp connectors were being built with reverse polarity.]]> Sat, 23 Nov 2019 09:36:35 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128314#128314 Zamp Port Wiring : Our new trailer comes with one... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128311#128311 Author: lostagain
Subject: 13295
Posted: 23 Nov 2019 at 8:08am

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?  
]]> Sat, 23 Nov 2019 08:08:43 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128311#128311 Zamp Port Wiring : If you didn’t use a Zamp panel... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128309#128309 Author: Jeepinator
Subject: 13295
Posted: 22 Nov 2019 at 10:11pm

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.
]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2019 22:11:02 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128309#128309 Zamp Port Wiring : How is my Zamp port wired into... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128307#128307 Author: Colt
Subject: 13295
Posted: 22 Nov 2019 at 8:15pm

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. ]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2019 20:15:25 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13295&PID=128307#128307