battery cables
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14835
Printed Date: 21 May 2026 at 11:49am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: battery cables
Posted By: guy52
Subject: battery cables
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2021 at 11:04am
|
Does anyone have the same setup rpod 179 dual batteries trying to figure out where the white wire goes ,it does have a solar outlet the trailer service had no idea and how would you wire the reds and the black negative wire? Thank you
 |
Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2021 at 1:11pm
|
Both reds on the + (Positive) post. The black and white (taped together) go to - (Ground). ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: guy52
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2021 at 9:06pm
| Thank you |
Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2021 at 2:51pm
|
Since it is taped to the black/battery ground, that would be a good guess. Can you trace it? Does it go to the power tongue jack? ------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2021 at 9:10pm
|
Since the red has the Zamp logo on the label, it is pretty evident that the white is the negative connection for the solar connector. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: guy52
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2021 at 11:57pm
| i don't have a power tonged jack |
Posted By: guy52
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2021 at 11:58pm
| that's what i thought the place that sells rpod here in town didnt know for sure thank you |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2021 at 5:17am
|
White is the grounded neutral as it is in your household wiring. So in this case it's the -12v connection. RV wiring typically follows the electric Code (white neutral, colored wires hot) not the automotive convention (black negative, red positive). Your trailer is a moving house after all, not a car.
Can be confusing for sure, and if you're not the original owner who knows what a previous owner might have miswired. So if youre uncertain and don't have one, get a multimeter and confirm what you have before connecting. Keep it in your on the road toolbox, it won't be the only time you'll use it. In this case there are lots of clues all pointing the same direction so you can be pretty sure those two smaller gauge wires go to the Zamp connector on the rear side of the trailer. If you're not using that then you can also just leave those two wires disconnected if you want. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2021 at 6:00pm
|
.......Zamp ..... Is that what that is?
------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2021 at 6:37pm
|
Zamp is the brand of the solar system that RPods used to use. The connector on back for solar had a label with that name. The red wire has the same brand name. I think a different brand is now being used. Zamp is likely good, but very expensive. I have a Renogy folding suitcase 100W solar system. That was expensive enough. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2021 at 8:50pm
|
You don't need to buy a brand name solar kit at all. Any nominal 12V solar module will work for you if you want to add solar charging. Get a glass/aluminum frame module if you want it to last. The so-called flexible modules aren't, the solar cells are brittle crystalline silicon and will eventually break.
You will also need a charge controller, a simple pulse width modulated (PWM) type is fine. Those are electronic devices so it's good to get something of decent quality. I personally like Morningstar controllers but you could also look at the reviews on Amazon and pick one with good ratings. You need to get one that has a current rating in amps higher than the full sun current rating of the solar module you are buying. You dont need to use the Zamp wires to connect it, in fact it's really better if you don't, you can just connect directly at the battery terminals which will reduce wiring losses. Either way, do add a fuse at the battery + terminal to protect the wiring in case you get a short. Use a fuse sized at least 1.6x higher than the solar module current rating and use wire sized appropriately (20A max for 12 gauge, 30 for 10 gauge, 40 for 8 gauge). ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |