zamp solar on 2016 grey wolf

[chevyman54173]

I have a 2014 Cherokee Grey Wolf that is solar ready with Zamp Solar wiring. I have a Battery Doctor solar panel that I used on my last travel trailer. I tried using my Battery Doctor solar panel on the Grey Wolf. Before connect to the trailer the charge light is lit up on my power regulator. When I connect the light goes out and it doesnt charge. I also tried just the solar panel. I used a multimeter and the is no current at my battery cable ends. I went underneath the trailer and those connections are tight. Maybe they are wired wrong? On the trailer the is a sticker that says Zamp Solar panels only. I find it hard to believe that. Does Zamp reverse the positive and negative wires? I have nothing against Zamp and will purchase a Zamp solar panel if needed. I just thought maybe I could use my current solar panel. Any info would be great.

James

[Goose killer]

Hopefully someone has a better answer, but I looked into it a little when I bought my 14' 304 BH. Also Zamp ready. I think the connection is proprietary to Zamp and won't work with others and the Zamp stuff was so expensive I figured it would be cheaper just to buy a dozen deep cycle batteries, Kidding. But it probably would. I don't dry camp so not a necessity to me. I thought it was a cool feature when I bought but after seeing Zamp prices I say it's basically useless.

[chevyman54173]

I have two 6volt batteries wired in a series. I also changed light bulbs to LED. I do dry camp about 5 or 6 times a year. Im not trying to run a tv. Im just trying to minimize my generator use. I just want to keep my batteries charged.

[Goose killer]

Just looked at it again. Zamp 80 watt panel is about 500$.

[chevyman54173]

I was looking at the zamp 40watt panel. I think I saw that one for little more than $300.

[buffey]

When I bought my Flagstaff it too came solar ready but it was pointed out to me that you had to connect the wires to the battery as that was not done

[RiderBloke]

Originally Posted by Goose killer

Hopefully someone has a better answer, but I looked into it a little when I bought my 14' 304 BH. Also Zamp ready. I think the connection is proprietary to Zamp and won't work with others and the Zamp stuff was so expensive I figured it would be cheaper just to buy a dozen deep cycle batteries, Kidding. But it probably would. I don't dry camp so not a necessity to me. I thought it was a cool feature when I bought but after seeing Zamp prices I say it's basically useless.

My investigations on my 26RR show that the Zamp plug is the same as the ones on my motorcycle battery charger and these are available from allelectronics.com. I checked the voltage at the Zamp plug with a multimeter and it was battery voltage. You may need to check the polarity carefully but that should be no problem to sort out.

[jefferson]

Had the same issue with a non-Zamp panel. The polarity is reversed. Switched the connections on the charge controller going to the Zamp port on the sidewall. All good.

[Happy Vibe]

If you lookup SAE solar plug you will find lots of places that sell them. $500 for a 80 watt panel is very expensive. Even in the great white north I can get a 100W panel, MPPT controller and 30 feet of wire for $240.

[pappybear]

Are you using the Zamp plug or alligator clips?
I ran into a similar problem with my 2016 Nitro XLR that was Zamp Solar Ready. I already owned a Renology Solar unit with alligator clips so I ordered a Zamp plug adapter that was compatible with my Renology wiring, connecting with an Anderson plug.
My solar panels would charge my batteries when I used the alligator clips but the Zamp plug didn't work. The Zamp plug adapter was improperly wired with the poles reversed at the factory. Zamp customer service was great, walked me through fixing the improperly wired plug and sent me a new one.
On your RV the bare metal prong should be your positive lead.

[chevyman54173]

The positive and negative are reversed on my trailer. I am gonna look at fixing this.

[chevyman54173]

Originally Posted by pappybear

Are you using the Zamp plug or alligator clips?
I ran into a similar problem with my 2016 Nitro XLR that was Zamp Solar Ready. I already owned a Renology Solar unit with alligator clips so I ordered a Zamp plug adapter that was compatible with my Renology wiring, connecting with an Anderson plug.
My solar panels would charge my batteries when I used the alligator clips but the Zamp plug didn't work. The Zamp plug adapter was improperly wired with the poles reversed at the factory. Zamp customer service was great, walked me through fixing the improperly wired plug and sent me a new one.
On your RV the bare metal prong should be your positive lead.

Where it was improperly connected. Was it at the junction box on the frame or at the plug on the side of the camper?

[pappybear]

Chevyman, the trailer was wired properly, the Zamp plug adapter from the solar panel was wired reverse poled.

[chevyman54173]

Oh ok. I have a solar panel and regulator made by Battery Doctor. One of them is wired improperly. I checked the voltage from the zamp connector on the trailer. Then I checked the amps with the same polarity as it would connect to the trailer and I got negative amps. Then I flipped it and the amps are positive. As of now I use alligator clips on the batteries and that works.

[hbillsmith]

Chevyman I have a really simple novice question. When the alligator clips are on the battery doing their intended purpose of battery charging, is the trailer in use with stuff running etc? or do you have to disconnect the battery either manual or with a battery disconnect switch?

[chevyman54173]

Originally Posted by hbillsmith

Chevyman I have a really simple novice question. When the alligator clips are on the battery doing their intended purpose of battery charging, is the trailer in use with stuff running etc? or do you have to disconnect the battery either manual or with a battery disconnect switch?

The trailer is in use.
Also sometimes I leave my trailer at my friends cabin. They do not have electricity there. If I leave it there I disconnect the batteries from the trailer and the solar panel helps keep them charged for my next use.

[chevyman54173]

I switched the positive and negative on the junction box on the frame. Its the same as my panel so i assume its working now.