Roof Top Solar connector part number needed
Hi, I am putting a pair of solar panels on my 2006 Arctic Fox 1150 truck camper. The camper is pre-wired for solar with 10 gauge wires. Protruding through the roof is a 2 prong connector that does not...
Forum Discussion
I know this thread is a bit dated, but found it while searching for something related. I just want to provide some info which may help the OP avoid ruining his battery.
The SAE connector pictured is used for pre-wiring RVs to support Zamp solar panels. They're cheap connectors, and are normally wired directly to the battery. They're not water/weatherproof - it's a 2 pin version of the common 4 pin trailer lighting connector, and most people know how easily those end up corroding from water and salt intrusion. It wouldn't surprise me if Zamp gave them freely to manufacturers. The manufacturer gets to claim "solar ready" as a feature, and Zamp gets to sell their very expensive solar panels.
Anyway, Zamp panels include the solar controller with the panel. A controller is needed between a panel and the battery or you'll quickly overcharge it, boil off the water, and need to buy a new battery. You do NOT want to connect a solar panel directly to the wiring of that connector. The exception would be the very small "battery maintainer" panels (only a couple of Watts), or a panel with an integral controller.
To do a permanent solar install correctly, you want (need!) a controller. The controller regulates the voltage going to the battery, and is best installed inside. Then, use something more waterproof than the SAE connector. The MC4 connectors are weatherproof (IP67) and are the current standard for solar panel wiring.
The SAE connector pictured is used for pre-wiring RVs to support Zamp solar panels. They're cheap connectors, and are normally wired directly to the battery. They're not water/weatherproof - it's a 2 pin version of the common 4 pin trailer lighting connector, and most people know how easily those end up corroding from water and salt intrusion. It wouldn't surprise me if Zamp gave them freely to manufacturers. The manufacturer gets to claim "solar ready" as a feature, and Zamp gets to sell their very expensive solar panels.
Anyway, Zamp panels include the solar controller with the panel. A controller is needed between a panel and the battery or you'll quickly overcharge it, boil off the water, and need to buy a new battery. You do NOT want to connect a solar panel directly to the wiring of that connector. The exception would be the very small "battery maintainer" panels (only a couple of Watts), or a panel with an integral controller.
To do a permanent solar install correctly, you want (need!) a controller. The controller regulates the voltage going to the battery, and is best installed inside. Then, use something more waterproof than the SAE connector. The MC4 connectors are weatherproof (IP67) and are the current standard for solar panel wiring.
