Don't over complicate using the Zamp Port

[Less is More]

I've read several posts on connect non-Zamp PVs through the Zamp port. Most of it sounded very complicated. When it got down to it, I cut the wires coming out of the back of the Zamp port and soldered a a new piece of red wire to the black wire coming out of the port and a section of black wire to the red wire coming out of the port. Then I connected to the power controlled--red to positive and black to negative. For the wires coming from the panels I soldered a CES plug on the end and sealed with shrink. Checked it all with a multi meter.

Not a big deal

[OLDNAVY]

Originally Posted by Less is More

I've read several posts on connect non-Zamp PVs through the Zamp port. Most of it sounded very complicated. When it got down to it, I cut the wires coming out of the back of the Zamp port and soldered a a new piece of red wire to the black wire coming out of the port and a section of black wire to the red wire coming out of the port. Then I connected to the power controlled--red to positive and black to negative. For the wires coming from the panels I soldered a CES plug on the end and sealed with shrink. Checked it all with a multi meter.

Not a big deal

What if you reversed wires coming out of the controller to a SAE plug to plug into Zamp plugin? Wouldn't that suffice the reverse polarity vs. buying an adapter?

[OLDNAVY]

Is the male part of the zamp plug positive?

[Windjammingnc]

Originally Posted by OLDNAVY

Is the male part of the zamp plug positive?

Yes, it assumes the female part of the panel wire is positive, even though you have 12V power from the battery live on the trailer port all the time. I made a special cable to plug into the Zamp port with a lighter socket on the other end so I could use the port to power low-amp lights or other things outside the trailer.

[Cowracer]

Or...


You can buy the $9 adaptor plug and be done with it.



https://thesolarstore.com/zamp-solar...3kMaAl5b8P8HAQ


Tim

[hunterrick]

The Zamp port is simply wired reverse of the standard way that SAE connectors are wired. I believe they do this so they can put on the sticker that informs you that your new trailer is prewired for solar, but only Zamp can be used. Anyway, I simply reversed the cable coming from my solar controller at the controller (screw terminals) and all is well. No adapters or cutting and splicing necessary. Good luck

[Briorick]

Originally Posted by hunterrick

The Zamp port is simply wired reverse of the standard way that SAE connectors are wired. I believe they do this so they can put on the sticker that informs you that your new trailer is prewired for solar, but only Zamp can be used. Anyway, I simply reversed the cable coming from my solar controller at the controller (screw terminals) and all is well. No adapters or cutting and splicing necessary. Good luck

X2......This is exactly what I have done as well. Perfect!!!!

[Steeljag]

I'm fortunate to be able to leave my RV plugged in. Is the Zamp port only to charge the two house batteries ? If ever needed what can it handle ? What is suggested size solar panel to extend the battery life with minimal usage ?

[UT_Grandpa]

I bought a SAE pigtail from Autozone wired it to Anderson Powerpole connectors that I use by the hundreds. Powerpoles are genderless so any pair can mate with any other pair. I think my ZAMP goes back to the power panel and then back to the battery so I wired a cable from the two house batteries on the tongue to skip the extra cable length.

When connecting to two 12 Volt batteries in parallel make sure you take the Positive connection from one battery and the Negative connection from the other. If you take them both from the same battery the charge/load will come more from the battery you are connected to.

We have two 50 Watt panels and a single 160 Watt panel. Most of the time the batteries are recharged in a few hours after the night's use.

[Doc Wu]

The trouble with the standard for SAE DC 2-pin connectors is, there is no standard.

You buy a set of them and what you get is a pair of connectors with red and black wires between the molded connectors. On one end, the red wire goes to the male part, on the other, it goes to the black wire.

This all works fine if (and only if) you pay attention to which end is the source of power and which end is the consumer of the power.

If you use one end, wire it up correctly and it works, then throw the spare end in the toolbox, when you need another end, and wire it up red-to-red and black-to-black without thinking about if it is the source or consumer end, chances are 50-50 you will have the wrong end.

So, sometimes, you will just have black-to-red splices with these connectors and need to stop and think, and probably use a VOM to be sure you are doing it right.

It's not hard to see how ZAMP simply chose one way that's not the same as other solar panels use. It could be deliberate, or it could just be chance.

I agree with the other poster - Anderson Powerpoles are the way to go.

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by Cowracer

Or...


You can buy the $9 adaptor plug and be done with it.



https://thesolarstore.com/zamp-solar...3kMaAl5b8P8HAQ


Tim

I couldn’t find this on their website today. But it came up when I clicked on the link you posted. Glad I remembered that you posted it.

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by Delco Bobby

I couldn’t find this on their website today. But it came up when I clicked on the link you posted. Glad I remembered that you posted it.

Whoa, $9.00 for the adapter and $17.43 for UPS ground shipping. For perspective, $112 for next day delivery.

Never mind.

[dbledan]

Originally Posted by Delco Bobby

Whoa, $9.00 for the adapter and $17.43 for UPS ground shipping. For perspective, $112 for next day delivery.

Never mind.

Or get this....all you have to do is splice the wires black to red.

CES 10 Gauge 2 Pin Quick Disconnect Harness https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057ZQJ12..._oYO6AbSNWHRJZ

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by dbledan

Or get this....all you have to do is splice the wires black to red.

CES 10 Gauge 2 Pin Quick Disconnect Harness https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057ZQJ12..._oYO6AbSNWHRJZ

Just added it to my cart.

Thanks

[Duckogram]

Thats the one I used as well. If you do it the easy way, you can get a spare adapter out of the deal just in case.