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Author Topic: Solar question on RV  (Read 1834 times)

Offline ghosthunter

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Solar question on RV
« 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.

« Last Edit: July 29, 2021, 09:33:10 PM by ghosthunter »
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
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Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Solar question on RV
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2021, 09:30:20 PM »
All the wires going to run the trailer come off Battery #2 positive. :dunno:
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
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We are all traveling from Birth to the Packing House. ( Broken Trail)

“I f he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Solar question on RV
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2021, 09:34:16 PM »
I understand charging across the batteries. I think.
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
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We are all traveling from Birth to the Packing House. ( Broken Trail)

“I f he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Offline 92xj

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Re: Solar question on RV
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2021, 09:35:14 PM »
Battery 2 positive
Battery 1 negative

https://www.etrailer.com/question-60431.html
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Offline Mark Brenckle

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Re: Solar question on RV
« Reply #4 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.

Offline 92xj

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Re: Solar question on RV
« Reply #5 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.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2021, 06:51:39 AM by 92xj »
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Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Solar question on RV
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2021, 07:13:52 AM »
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.
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
Proud Parent of A United States Marine

We are all traveling from Birth to the Packing House. ( Broken Trail)

“I f he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Solar question on RV
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2021, 07:17:09 AM »
Thanks

I was leaning that way and than started 2 Nd guessing myself.
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
Proud Parent of A United States Marine

We are all traveling from Birth to the Packing House. ( Broken Trail)

“I f he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Online CP

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Re: Solar question on RV
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2021, 07:26:09 AM »
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:


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Re: Solar question on RV
« Reply #9 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.

 


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