zamp solar

[frank]

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.

[Mustang65]

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

[Tharrison]

My dealer was familiar with them. They are designed for use with the Zamp portable solar panels.

Terry

[frank]

There is only the one on the side. None on the roof. I looked when I asked the dealer.

[TJEli]

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

[ennis437]

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?

[Jim]

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.

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by TJEli

I mounted the charge control inside the battery box.

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

[Bassdogs]

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??

[Loboclone]

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.

[Rob Church]

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

[Fairenatic]

20 amp power limit. 200-250 watts approx.

[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

[Loboclone]

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.

[Jim-n-Ash]

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?

[Subaru297]

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

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

[Fairenatic]

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

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.

[Loboclone]

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.

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.

[Subaru297]

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.

I think this is what you meant.....

[Loboclone]

I stand corrected