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mikeyg2347
Groupie
Joined: 27 May 2015
Location: MT
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Posts: 75
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Topic: ZAMP wiring Posted: 07 Jul 2015 at 2:51pm |
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.
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Mike
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp
Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
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Posts: 6128
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Posted: 07 Jul 2015 at 6:01pm |
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.
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Podster
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
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Posts: 1108
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Posted: 07 Jul 2015 at 9:34pm |
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.
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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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mikeyg2347
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Joined: 27 May 2015
Location: MT
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Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 10:22am |
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.
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Mike
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 12:31pm |
Ditto on the calculator!!
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Podster
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Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
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Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 7:30pm |
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.
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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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mikeyg2347
Groupie
Joined: 27 May 2015
Location: MT
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Posts: 75
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Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 9:08pm |
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.
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Mike
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mikeyg2347
Groupie
Joined: 27 May 2015
Location: MT
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Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 9:09pm |
oooops, I mean total distance of 50'. 20' plus 30', uh, somebody help me here...I ran out of fingers and toes.
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Mike
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shanebevel
Newbie
Joined: 04 Jul 2015
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Posts: 10
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Posted: 15 Jul 2015 at 11:02pm |
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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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp
Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128
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Posted: 16 Jul 2015 at 12:19pm |
Originally posted by shanebevel
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 |
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.
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