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AJBert's avatar
AJBert
Explorer
May 11, 2016

Prewired for solar by Zamp Solar

I have a 2015 StarCraft AR-One that came prewired for solar but says to use ONLY Zamp Solar products. I have a small solar panel that I've used for the past year by hooking up straight to the batter with the controller that came with the panel.

My panel fits into the female connection on the side of the TT but I have no idea if there is a controller installed in the TT so I haven't used it. I'm very certain the system doesn't have a clue whether or not I'm using a Zamp panel.

I've tried contacting both StarCraft and Zamp with no response. I have also talked to the dealer and they have no clue. I've looked through all of the manuals that came with the TT and there is no mention of it being prewired.

Just curious if anyone on here might know? I plan on adding another battery and upping the wattage of the panel. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

7 Replies

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  • doughere's avatar
    doughere
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    AJBert wrote:
    I'll try to contact them again. I've also noticed that any panels you buy from Zamp have controllers.

    As for tracing the wire...unless I open up the walls and take down the corroplast on the underbelly, there is no way for me to find anything. I think I'll just keep hooking the panel and controller straight to the battery.


    Tracing, does not necessarily mean following the actual path of the wire.

    Can you use a voltmeter to see if battery voltage is present at the connector? This would be a good indication the wire is going from the connector to the battery.

    I would bet that all the connections are visible somewhere. It would be very bad design (not that that rules it out) to have connections that are not accesable. Its a matter of looking at all electrical connections points.

    Doug
  • AJBert's avatar
    AJBert
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    I'll try to contact them again. I've also noticed that any panels you buy from Zamp have controllers.

    As for tracing the wire...unless I open up the walls and take down the corroplast on the underbelly, there is no way for me to find anything. I think I'll just keep hooking the panel and controller straight to the battery.
  • N-Trouble's avatar
    N-Trouble
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    I have had good success with the Zamp solar that came on my trailer. Have contacted them on a couple ocassions with questions and always had good support. Give em another try. Phone? Email?
  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer II
    May 13, 2016
    Wish ZAMP would offer MPPT charge controllers. Their five stage PWM controller is nice... but it still is a PWM controller.
  • grizzzman's avatar
    grizzzman
    Explorer
    May 11, 2016
    AJBert wrote:
    I have a 2015 StarCraft AR-One that came prewired for solar but says to use ONLY Zamp Solar products. I have a small solar panel that I've used for the past year by hooking up straight to the batter with the controller that came with the panel.

    My panel fits into the female connection on the side of the TT but I have no idea if there is a controller installed in the TT so I haven't used it. I'm very certain the system doesn't have a clue whether or not I'm using a Zamp panel.

    I've tried contacting both StarCraft and Zamp with no response. I have also talked to the dealer and they have no clue. I've looked through all of the manuals that came with the TT and there is no mention of it being prewired.

    Just curious if anyone on here might know? I plan on adding another battery and upping the wattage of the panel. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


    I have a 2016 Rockwood mini lite. It has the Zamp solar port. I'm looking at the Zamp flyer, its clear that the controller is on the panel. Use a volt meter "before" use as mine is wired backwords goes to the battery and has no fuse.
  • red31's avatar
    red31
    Explorer
    May 11, 2016
    trace the wires on the back of the port to determine if they are connected to the battery.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    May 11, 2016
    All of the RV portable sets that I see Aamp sell have the controller mounted on the back of the modules. I would bet that what you have is the female connector and the wiring to the battery.
    Zamp's typical wiring accessory looks to be a UV resistant pair of AWG 12 wires and a pair of alligator clips. I'm sure the SAE connector is available, too.

    I'd suggest that if you are thinking about getting useful solar power that you locate the controller close to batteries and forgo using the OEM wiring. If you only use a portable 60W panel or so, the OEM connection should suffice. You could look at the wiring at the battery terminals and ascertain just what size wire is used.

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