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Old 11-02-2019, 12:30 PM   #1
cellarsurfer
 
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Zamp 140 watt solar panels with 2019 Rockwood MiniLite 2509s

I am a relatively new Rockwood Mini Lite owner (previously owner of a 2017 Rockwood ESP 2280bh Tent Trailer). I prefer dry camping although the rest of my family prefers full hookups at KOA. I have been researching solar panels for several years now to sustain my batteries off the grid and finally pulled the trigger on a Zamp 140 watt briefcase setup ($625 Amazon) that plugged right into my 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite. After camping for the first time on the California Coast I wanted to leave a review. The Zamp solar panels which I placed on our roof kept my 2-6 volt batteries topped up for 3+ days while dry camping even with some cloudy days. I repositioned the panels 2x per day to track the sun (more time on my roof than I ever expected which provided an amazing ocean view). In addition to the basic trailer functionality we use heater/furnace, lights and radio heavily in the evenings along with 4+ phones/devices charging each night. No TV as our Furrion requires 110v but we are looking to augment the panels with a portable power station/inverter to give us movie time each night. The Zamp panels pulled between 3 and 7 amps throughout the day. The pictured controller reading @ 3.5 amps is from 4pm on a clear sunny day facing west. The 140 watt setup is everything I need and more for my 25’ trailer. And for other Rockwood Mini Lite owners the Zamp case fits perfectly on the recessed dinette while traveling as if the case was designed to fit there. Zamp is on the pricey side compared to just about every other solar panel manufacturer but for plug n play top quality American made I believe this is worth the price. And customer service has answered all of my questions.

UPDATE: My family and I lived in our trailer during 2 separate recent power outages including a recent fire evacuation. The solar panels were a life saver. Between the 2-30lb propane tanks running the fridge and heater/furnace with the Zamp panels juicing up the batteries our electronic devices stayed charged with lights and heat each night. I recently bought a Jackery portable battery station ($250 Amazon) to provide a little extra battery support at night while taking advantage of the days to charge back up. Finally, for extra peace of mind (and to run AC for the 2-3 times per year we dry camp in the desert heat) I bought a Champion dual fuel generator ($950 Amazon) which I hope to connect directly to the RV propane supply via the bbq quick connector. With this setup even on cloudy days ahead we should be good to go to stay off the grid for weeks if necessary. Despite the inconvenience of the power outages here in CA I can think of worse things than spending time in our Rockwood trailer with my family.
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Current: 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite 2509s
Former: 2017 Rockwood ESP 2280bh
TV: 2016 Ford F-150 3.5L EB 4x4
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Old 11-02-2019, 01:01 PM   #2
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I don't have any solar help but wanted to welcome you to FRF!
Also sounds like you and your family are enduring the fire and power outages. Glad you all are safe.
I grew up in Sonoma Valley and also lived in Cloverdale and Napa. I was a Napa County firefighter/EMT. We have lots of family and friends enduring the same things.
We escaped California in 2014 and are glad we did.
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Old 12-12-2019, 08:59 PM   #3
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I have the same solar panels 2 of them and added a wind generator that mounts to the ladder. With 6 lithium 12v 100ah used rubber around the wind generator very little vibration and let's us run everything dont use the microwave as it realy sucks up the power I made a plug that plugs in to the 120v plug and it works like your at a park
When we stop it takes about 30 min to get it all running we run the AC all day as we do a lot of desert camping
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