Question, When a new T.T. comes ready with the (Exterior Solar plug in ) That is only to charge the batteries with a solar panel that I need to buy, correct? In order for me to use the T.V. and other appliances and will need to do other modifications it's that right?:@Thank you in advance as alwaysKennedy >>

Never heard of it. It's probably just a couple wires going to somewhere near the battery. You need a controller.You need an inverter to watch tv or anything else 120vac.

2oldman wrote:Never heard of it. It's probably just a couple wires going to somewhere near the battery. You need a controller.You need an inverter to watch tv or anything else 120vac.Yes, what 2oldman said.On my TT they ran the wires from the roof coming out of the floor right next to the batteries on the tongue. They don't make waterproof controllers, so I'll have to poke the wires back up through my insulated and enclosed undercarriage, then UP through the cabinets so I can read the controller without getting on the floor, and then back down to the batteries.I think next summer it will be easier to just run new, and heavier wiring down from the roof to a controller and then to the batteries since that appears to be less work than using their wiring.Bill

2oldman wrote:Never heard of it. It's probably just a couple wires going to somewhere near the battery. You need a controller.You need an inverter to watch tv or anything else 120vac. Thank you 2oldman :)

Trackrig wrote:2oldman wrote:Never heard of it. It's probably just a couple wires going to somewhere near the battery. You need a controller.You need an inverter to watch tv or anything else 120vac.Yes, what 2oldman said.On my TT they ran the wires from the roof coming out of the floor right next to the batteries on the tongue. They don't make waterproof controllers, so I'll have to poke the wires back up through my insulated and enclosed undercarriage, then UP through the cabinets so I can read the controller without getting on the floor, and then back down to the batteries.I think next summer it will be easier to just run new, and heavier wiring down from the roof to a controller and then to the batteries since that appears to be less work than using their wiring. Thank you Trackrig, so I do an inverter in order to watch T.V. and run everything else while dry camping. Thank you both again for your input. ;) Bill

Forest River has seemingly partnered with ZAmp Solar. Almost all their new RV's are coming out as "Solar Ready". In reality, IMHO, it's a marketing ploy to get you to buy some ZAmp solar panels. The external plug should be hard wired to your battery. If you want to add solar to your RV, you just need the panels and a controller to plug into the ZAmp circuit. But it doesn't really make sense if you want a roof-mounted system. The plug is on the outside. So, if you were mounting a permanent system, you would want the wiring to be hidden, not laid down the side of your RV. But, if you wanted a temporary system, the external plus would be just fine.

Exterior Solar Plug In.... | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

time2roll
Nomad
Sep 05, 2016
Solar is just going to charge the battery.

If your tv is 12v then you are good to go. If the tv is 120v you will need an inverter... or it may have an inverter.
(inverter is different from a converter)

Best to verify with the seller or manufacturer.
wanderingbob
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2016
No mods are required to watch TV or other appliances , your electrical system does not need or depend on a solar system .
WayneLee
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
Forest River has seemingly partnered with ZAmp Solar. Almost all their new RV's are coming out as "Solar Ready". In reality, IMHO, it's a marketing ploy to get you to buy some ZAmp solar panels.

The external plug should be hard wired to your battery. If you want to add solar to your RV, you just need the panels and a controller to plug into the ZAmp circuit.

But it doesn't really make sense if you want a roof-mounted system. The plug is on the outside. So, if you were mounting a permanent system, you would want the wiring to be hidden, not laid down the side of your RV. But, if you wanted a temporary system, the external plus would be just fine.
kennyd63
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
Trackrig wrote:
2oldman wrote:
Never heard of it. It's probably just a couple wires going to somewhere near the battery. You need a controller.

You need an inverter to watch tv or anything else 120vac.

Yes, what 2oldman said.

On my TT they ran the wires from the roof coming out of the floor right next to the batteries on the tongue. They don't make waterproof controllers, so I'll have to poke the wires back up through my insulated and enclosed undercarriage, then UP through the cabinets so I can read the controller without getting on the floor, and then back down to the batteries.

I think next summer it will be easier to just run new, and heavier wiring down from the roof to a controller and then to the batteries since that appears to be less work than using their wiring. Thank you Trackrig, so I do an inverter in order to watch T.V. and run everything else while dry camping. Thank you both again for your input. ;)

Bill
kennyd63
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
2oldman wrote:
Never heard of it. It's probably just a couple wires going to somewhere near the battery. You need a controller.

You need an inverter to watch tv or anything else 120vac.
Thank you 2oldman :)
Trackrig
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2016
2oldman wrote:
Never heard of it. It's probably just a couple wires going to somewhere near the battery. You need a controller.

You need an inverter to watch tv or anything else 120vac.

Yes, what 2oldman said.

On my TT they ran the wires from the roof coming out of the floor right next to the batteries on the tongue. They don't make waterproof controllers, so I'll have to poke the wires back up through my insulated and enclosed undercarriage, then UP through the cabinets so I can read the controller without getting on the floor, and then back down to the batteries.

I think next summer it will be easier to just run new, and heavier wiring down from the roof to a controller and then to the batteries since that appears to be less work than using their wiring.

Bill
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2016
Never heard of it. It's probably just a couple wires going to somewhere near the battery. You need a controller.

You need an inverter to watch tv or anything else 120vac.

Forum Discussion

Exterior Solar Plug In....

17 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

exterior solar plug

Another solar question.

Exterior Stairs

Exterior Stereo

Bulge in exterior fiberglass...