Connecting a 100 watt solar panel to Zamp port

Originally posted by WillThrill Originally posted by Don Halas Just curious, but I'm guessing that using an SAE plug you could use the Zamp plug as a DC source. Yes, you could easily use the Zamp port as a 12 volt power source.  Keep in mind that the wire running the 20' or so is just 16 gauge, so I wouldn't recommend pulling more than 10 amps or 120 watts through it.  All you need to plug into it is a universal 2-way connector.  You could then wire this into a 12 volt socket adapter that you could then plug almost anything you wanted in to (i.e. USB charger, small fan, lights, etc.).

Moving forward with this.

I am considering doing this and running the solar output to a charge controller and directly to the battery forgoing the zamp connector. To do this I'll need to mount the charge controller inside the battery box or at least in a weatherproof enclosure close to the battery.

Because I'm always looking forward and hate re-doing things or wasting money I think I might want to replace the battery box (not the battery) with one large enough for a battery upgrade (the two in series 6volt golf cart type) and to mount the controller say in the lid.

Again, I intend to keep my current 12 volt battery, but would rather upsize the box now in anticipation of a battery upgrade in the future.

Does anyone have any opinion on the size of box I'd need to accommodate the battery upgrade and mounting a charge controller (in as of yet undetermined size) in the box?

As always thanks for feedback.

I'm hoping not to drill any holes in the Pod itself and since the first panel will be at the front of the pod, going directly to the battery makes sense.

The alternate is going through the zamp connector (or the hole they've already drilled for it) and mounting the charge controller in the storage area behind it. That's the less favored approach.

I've looked for weather proof charge controllers and not seen anything specifically promoted as such. Also, doesn't seem worthwhile to spend a lot on that when an enclosure will not be that expensive.

Thanks JandL. Not a great picture, but more importantly is the charge controller supposed to be rain or weather proof? How's it handling the elements?

Originally posted by Rustler Originally posted by WillThrill Originally posted by Don Halas Just curious, but I'm guessing that using an SAE plug you could use the Zamp plug as a DC source. Yes, you could easily use the Zamp port as a 12 volt power source.  Keep in mind that the wire running the 20' or so is just 16 gauge, so I wouldn't recommend pulling more than 10 amps or 120 watts through it.  All you need to plug into it is a universal 2-way connector.  You could then wire this into a 12 volt socket adapter that you could then plug almost anything you wanted in to (i.e. USB charger, small fan, lights, etc.). Willthrill if that wire connection is just 16 gauge, I really would be very reluctant use more than 2-3 amps. To run 10 amps at 12.5 volts through 16 gauge wire for 20 feet would give a voltage drop of 1.6 volts (less than 11 volts at the load). 10 amps would work, but not very efficiently. And there is the risk of overheating the wiring. The following link gives a nice, convenient voltage drop calculator: Voltage drop calculator Running 2 amps for 20 feet on 16 gauge wire gives a more reasonable voltage drop of just 0.3 volts (less than 3%). Does anyone know for sure what the wire gauge on that run? 16 gauge seems awfully light, especially for a solar charge connection with up to a 200 watt Zamp solar panel. Also is there any fuse on that run of wire? If not I would definitely add a fuse for electrical and fire safety.