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04-23-2015, 09:06 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Wichita Falls
Posts: 2
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zamp solar
My 2015 Jayco Eagle comes prewired with a port for zamp solar on the side. The maunual has nothing about this panel and the only thing I can find is a little label above the port that says "Warning. Use only zamp panels." does anyone have any experience with these. My dealer knew nothing.
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04-23-2015, 10:19 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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I wonder if they installed the roof ports for the Zamp Solar panels. They have 2 types, a single Zamp Solar Port and a Zamp Solar 3 Port Roof Cap. Best to either take a look on the roof or send JAYCO service@jayco.com an email asking them to elaborate on the warning.. and what they installed. You need to include your VIN # with the information request. The link show what the ports look like (scroll down to the bottom)
Solar Ready RV Solar Kits - Zamp Solar
Just my thoughts,
Don
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04-23-2015, 10:38 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Central PA
Posts: 37
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My dealer was familiar with them. They are designed for use with the Zamp portable solar panels.
Terry
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04-23-2015, 09:05 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Wichita Falls
Posts: 2
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There is only the one on the side. None on the roof. I looked when I asked the dealer.
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05-09-2015, 07:44 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: U.S.
Posts: 22
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Its just a plug wired to the battery. You can use any solar panel and charge control. I use a Coleman panel and it has the same plug on it. I mounted the charge control inside the battery box. The ZAmp stuff is very nice but more money than I was willing to spend.
-Eli
__________________
2015 26.5 BHS HT
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06-08-2015, 09:34 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Starke
Posts: 20
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So what kind of plug is it on the charge port on the new jaycos? I notice a lot of the new panels have whats called an Anderson connection. anybody have pictures of the port?
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07-08-2015, 11:34 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Greenwood
Posts: 47
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When did they actually start adding the ports? I have a 2015 Jayco and to the best of my knowledge it does not have a port on the side or top of the camper.
__________________
Jim & Shari
2015 Jayco Jay-Flight 26RLS TT
2006 Ford Expedition Limited 5.7L
Equalizer 4 10K Hitch System
P2 Brake Controller
Full Timer Wanna-be's
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07-08-2015, 12:12 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TJEli
I mounted the charge control inside the battery box.
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Mounting the charge controller in the battery box is not a good idea if your using regular batteries as they emit corrosive gases and that will destroy the electronics in the charge controller.
Don
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08-22-2015, 09:34 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Dale Hollow Lake Tn/Ky
Posts: 2,525
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Never been drawn to solar for my TT since we typically seek out shaded sites, but the thought of using a portable panel is kind of interesting. Is the installed wiring and port basically like the prewiring for the sat/cable with a side connection? What Jayco is providing is nothing more than the prewiring from a side or roof jack to the ??battery?? that allows you to plug in a solar panel and controller??
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08-22-2015, 11:31 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Rio Rancho
Posts: 426
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for 2016 Jayco has been putting Solar ready on everything. It is designed of a portable panel setup. It will have a solar ready plug on drivers side to plug and play for a portable panel only. Do not try to put a 400 watt setup on the roof and plug it in. The wire gauge used won't support it. frankly it is misleading "solar ready" statement.
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12-25-2015, 04:57 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Delta
Posts: 10
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The Zamp panels and controller are more expensive and have alternatives. Cannot speak to the Zamp quality however they have features which are very handy; panel carry bags and fold out legs for the panels...
If you are a little bit handy you may find some significant savings by combining the two items below:
Zamp Plug
Renogy 200W Mono Starter Kit, 2 Piece 100W Solar Panels Plus 20' Adapter Kit
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12-26-2015, 06:18 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 781
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20 amp power limit. 200-250 watts approx.
__________________
2016 Jayco Eagle 330RSTS = " Madame Maxime"
Maxxis M8008 E rated Tires and 16" Wheel Upgrade
Dual A/C 15K BTU, 14K Equalizer WD hitch with SC
King Bed with Java Interior, (2X) Yamaha EF2000isV2
2012 Ram 4500, 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, MegaCab = " Hagrid"
8'x12' BMCM Stake Bed, Cabin Chassis, 2WD
360 degree Virtual Tour
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02-19-2016, 03:47 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Meadow Vista
Posts: 68
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Hello,
@Loboclone: I am buying an Eagle HS 26.5 BHS (5th wheel) that has solar ready stickers all over. A small port on the drivers side up front. I emailed "service" at Jayco dot com and am waiting for a reply on the gauges used. I have 250 watt panels. I hoped to put two up on the roof and add two RV batteries (100amp hour).
From your post it sounds like I'm going to have to run my own wires.
-David
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02-20-2016, 07:04 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Rio Rancho
Posts: 426
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You probably will have to increase gauge of wire. Unless something has changed the port on drivers side is to be used for a100 amp panel. Wait for Jayco to confirm on the roof port. The intent is for battery maintaining only.
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03-15-2016, 06:16 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Tucson
Posts: 316
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This is helpful. We would like to increase our solar power - we too like shady sites, but our understanding is that the panels can use any light, not just direct sunlight. (Nevertheless, I move my panels around two-three times/day.) We thought there was some way to plug the Zamp in, but apparently just a charge controller and what we have now will work. Is that right?
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04-07-2016, 09:13 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Calgary
Posts: 885
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Onefastdaddy
Hello,
@Loboclone: I am buying an Eagle HS 26.5 BHS (5th wheel) that has solar ready stickers all over. A small port on the drivers side up front. I emailed "service" at Jayco dot com and am waiting for a reply on the gauges used. I have 250 watt panels. I hoped to put two up on the roof and add two RV batteries (100amp hour).
From your post it sounds like I'm going to have to run my own wires.
-David
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Depending on the charge controller you use you should be able to wire your panels in series and not exceed the 20amp limit of the wiring. If you use 2 panels you would likely have ~60 volts and only around 8 amps.
Even using two of your current 250 watt panels because they operate around 30 volts and 8 amps you could still use them in parallel and only be around 16amps.
The existing wiring should be sufficient. I am assuming you have an MPPT controller already as well as is needed for high voltage panels.
Cheers
__________________
2014 Jayco Swift 281BHS, 300W Solar!
2015 F250 XLT 4x4 Crew Cab, Short box, 6.2 gas
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04-07-2016, 09:41 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 781
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Onefastdaddy
Hello,
@Loboclone: I am buying an Eagle HS 26.5 BHS (5th wheel) that has solar ready stickers all over. A small port on the drivers side up front. I emailed "service" at Jayco dot com and am waiting for a reply on the gauges used. I have 250 watt panels. I hoped to put two up on the roof and add two RV batteries (100amp hour).
From your post it sounds like I'm going to have to run my own wires.
-David
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I would check with Jayco before using the roof wiring. I am pretty sure there is a recall. They did not wire it through a breaker and could cause a fire if it were to short. I think the one by the tongue is okay but I would verify with Jayco, while you are at it.
__________________
2016 Jayco Eagle 330RSTS = " Madame Maxime"
Maxxis M8008 E rated Tires and 16" Wheel Upgrade
Dual A/C 15K BTU, 14K Equalizer WD hitch with SC
King Bed with Java Interior, (2X) Yamaha EF2000isV2
2012 Ram 4500, 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, MegaCab = " Hagrid"
8'x12' BMCM Stake Bed, Cabin Chassis, 2WD
360 degree Virtual Tour
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04-07-2016, 10:12 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Rio Rancho
Posts: 426
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fairenatic
I would check with Jayco before using the roof wiring. I am pretty sure there is a recall. They did not wire it through a breaker and could cause a fire if it were to short. I think the one by the tongue is okay but I would verify with Jayco, while you are at it.
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I agree. A lot of mis conceptions concerning Jayco solar wire gauge. When I was in sales at Camping World the "Solar Ready" meant a carry out for 100 watts of Zamp panel. What has happened since I am not ready to comment for accuracy. I just had a Zamp 480 watt US made panels installed with a 40 watt controller. Wow what system! Smart Glass is the new technology, charges a lot faster than anything I have had before. We used wire gauge for an upgrade later for 640 watts and put temperature sensors on the AGM batteries. Going to wait for Zamp to come out with a 60 watt controller before adding another panel.
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04-07-2016, 10:47 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Calgary
Posts: 885
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loboclone
I agree. A lot of mis conceptions concerning Jayco solar wire gauge. When I was in sales at Camping World the "Solar Ready" meant a carry out for 100 watts of Zamp panel. What has happened since I am not ready to comment for accuracy. I just had a Zamp 480 watt US made panels installed with a 40 Amp controller. Wow what system! Smart Glass is the new technology, charges a lot faster than anything I have had before. We used wire gauge for an upgrade later for 640 watts and put temperature sensors on the AGM batteries. Going to wait for Zamp to come out with a 60 Amp controller before adding another panel.
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I think this is what you meant.....
__________________
2014 Jayco Swift 281BHS, 300W Solar!
2015 F250 XLT 4x4 Crew Cab, Short box, 6.2 gas
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04-07-2016, 02:13 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Rio Rancho
Posts: 426
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I stand corrected
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