Solar Questions

We use a Renogy 100watt suitcase system that works well.  It keeps our 2 6volt GC batteries fully charged .  We are careful with our power usage and boondock most of the time.  We have a 30' cord connected to the panel so it can be in the sun while the pod is in the shade.  the cord is the same gauge as the power cord so there is little voltage drop in the length. If possible, I will reorient the panel several times a day IF I am in camp.  If not, I align it as soon as we get up for current maximum and then I re-align it before we leave camp. I try to anticipate (from yesterday's observations and a compass) where to aim the panel to get maximum mid-day sun.

I have been happy with Renogy products and the service/advice they have offered.  My pod is older and was not pre-wired for solar.  From what I read and hear, the "pre-wired for solar" is essentially  a marketing ploy.  I'm sure it may save a little money and time, but I would probably do my own wiring even if I had a newer "pre-wired" pod.

controllers have a lot of variety.  different people have different ideas about which type to use.  In my case, having only 100 watts, the less expensive and less sophisticated controller works fine.  We use the 20 amp PWM controller and it seems to work fine and give me more information than I need/understand/want.

I am happy with my system and the installation.  There is a post several months back about my system and the installation.  I have changed a few things since the beginning, but it is basically the same.

Vann

Originally posted by john in idaho Forest River changed from Zamp to Go Power for their "solar ready" hookup in 2017 production models.  If you have the ZAMP ready RPOD you can use a standard SAE plug but ZAMP reverses the polarity so if you hook up a non Zamp system it wont work unless you cut the wires and reverse them or buy a SAE converter.  I do not know what the polarity is for the Go Power plug and whether it is similar to ZAMP and reversed or not.  Will need to research that.  Then again you can bypass the prewired plug and just connect your solar system directly to the battery

Do you think the zamp is suitable for a complete beginner?

Originally posted by mle Originally posted by geewizard I completely bypassed the Zamp wiring and connector and used my own wiring to connect a Renogy 120 W solar panel (portable, not fixed) and Morningstar MPPT controller.  Anderson connectors with weatherproof boots connect the panel to the controller.  See my other posts on mods to see pics of my setup. We just returned from a 3 day trip without running the generator at all. I like that connector you did, looks really nice.

Thanks.  I like the Anderson connectors and use them in all my 12V applications.

Originally posted by geewizard My opinion is that a MPPT solar controller wrings out every bit of solar panel output far more efficiently than a PWM solar controller.  And so, it's even more critical to use one with smaller solar panels.  As is using the largest gauge wire between the solar panel and battery.  Every little bit helps when you're beginning with little bits anyway.

The other advantage to an MPPT controller is that you can run the "solar part" of the system at a much higher voltage. This means that in low sun conditions, the panels can actually provide juice to the batteries when a pure PWM system might be able to actually charge.

My Renogy 100W panel is taking care of all our power needs and puts out over 19VDC in direct sun.  We run the fridge on propane and use a Wave 3 catalytic heater. So far, we've had no need to use a generator.

I just recently made another 25' cable for the solar panel using this wire and Anderson connectors with boots on each end: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IK4P6WU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I did this because I was chasing sunlight in a camping spot with tall trees and couldn't put the solar panel in the "steady" sunlight spot.