Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: ghosthunter on July 29, 2021, 09:27:02 PM

Title: Solar question on RV
Post by: ghosthunter on July 29, 2021, 09:27:02 PM: So I bought this trailer back in May and the fellow said he had a portable solar panel for it but it was lost in the moving to Utah.

He called was in Camino and had found the panel ,so I went picked it up. We talked a little about hook up but I am still confused.

It is a Zamp 120 volt Portable panel. It has a positive and negative lead.

My trailer has two 6 volt batteries wired in sequence to provide 12 volt system.

Which posts do I attach the Zamp too.
Positive to Battery 2 positive and negative battery 1 negative?
Here a photo of my set up.
Title: Re: Solar question on RV
Post by: ghosthunter on July 29, 2021, 09:30:20 PM: All the wires going to run the trailer come off Battery #2 positive. :dunno:
Title: Re: Solar question on RV
Post by: ghosthunter on July 29, 2021, 09:34:16 PM: I understand charging across the batteries. I think.
Title: Re: Solar question on RV
Post by: 92xj on July 29, 2021, 09:35:14 PM: Battery 2 positive
Battery 1 negative

https://www.etrailer.com/question-60431.html
Title: Re: Solar question on RV
Post by: Mark Brenckle on July 29, 2021, 09:37:46 PM: If you didn't get the install instructions they're probably on-line. If it's putting out 120V you'll need to convert it to 6V to charge the batteries.
Title: Re: Solar question on RV
Post by: 92xj on July 29, 2021, 09:42:08 PM: Your batteries are wired in series to produce 12v. Hook the clips to the negative of one and positive of two and you'll charge your batteries. I run the same setup on mine and rarely run my generator anymore.
Title: Re: Solar question on RV
Post by: ghosthunter on July 30, 2021, 07:13:52 AM: Quote from: Mark Brenckle on July 29, 2021, 09:37:46 PM
If you didn't get the install instructions they're probably on-line. If it's putting out 120V you'll need to convert it to 6V to charge the batteries.

I may be wrong with the volts. He had this installed on this trailer for couple years as needed on trips. I just wasn’t sure on the terminals. The panel has a controller which prevents over charging and crossed terminal to prevent damage.
Title: Re: Solar question on RV
Post by: ghosthunter on July 30, 2021, 07:17:09 AM: Thanks

I was leaning that way and than started 2 Nd guessing myself.
Title: Re: Solar question on RV
Post by: CP on July 30, 2021, 07:26:09 AM: Quote from: ghosthunter on July 30, 2021, 07:13:52 AM
Quote from: Mark Brenckle on July 29, 2021, 09:37:46 PM
If you didn't get the install instructions they're probably on-line. If it's putting out 120V you'll need to convert it to 6V to charge the batteries.

I may be wrong with the volts. He had this installed on this trailer for couple years as needed on trips. I just wasn’t sure on the terminals. The panel has a controller which prevents over charging and crossed terminal to prevent damage.

Probably 120 Watts with a built-in charge controller. I have a similar system that I have wired up like this:
Title: Re: Solar question on RV
Post by: lee on August 02, 2021, 12:48:17 PM: Food for thought when using the solar charger. Never have the solar attached to the batteries when the RV is plugged into shore power or a generator!!

Reason is: Say you have solar up and connected to the batteries. If you meter the batters you will see the charge voltage of around 13.5volts. If you then plug the RV into shore power, the RV's converter/battery charger will see the solar's 13.5volts and think that the battery is charged and go into float mode. Same will happen if vice-versed.

You can't have 2 devices charging batteries at the same time. One will see the other thinking it's the battery and go into float mode.