Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Installing a Renogy 100 watt Suitcase solar Panel

Author: Rustler
Subject: Installing a Renogy 100 watt Suitcase solar Panel
Posted: 09 Jan 2017 at 10:21pm

Originally posted by bigcat Originally posted by Hayduke Originally posted by bigcat Bluecatjudy, I love the idea of using the solar port already installed on newer pods. I've read that the Zamp port that's installed on my 2017 179 has a proprietary conector. Did you have any issues wiring the solar panel to the preinstalled port? Thanks! Not proprietary.  It is a simple SAE 2-pin connector.  You can find them just about anywhere that sells auto/RV electrical supplies. Awesome! So all I would need to do is splice an SAE 2-pin conncetor on the end of a solar extension cord and it plug it into the solar port on the side of my pod, right? Thanks! Ty

The biggest problem with the Zamp solar port is that it is (unnecessarily) located very far from the battery. Unless the wiring is of very large gauge there will be a lot of voltage and power loss. I don't see why they didn't locate the port near to the battery. There's no reason they couldn't have done so. Also the SAE connector isn't the best for low voltage loss. Powerpole is much better.

Of course this doesn't mean the Zamp port won't work. But I would be tempted to move the port nearer to the battery.