Forum Discussion

wallaceb's avatar
wallaceb
Explorer
Oct 12, 2022

Guidance using Zamp Solar Controller

Good Morning Forum, I own a 2022 Nash 18FM that came with a Zamp Solar Controller system for my two solar panals. Zamp controllers are new to me. I am getting ready to store the unit for winter for the first time. I will remove and store the AGM battery BUT I am not sure how to "shut down" the controller as the trailer will be under ADCO cover for the winter. I contacted Zamp and obtained the Operators Manual but I don't find info on how to turn the system off and winter storage of same. Any guidance would be appreciated.....Thanks un advance, Wallace B
  • Ed_Gee's avatar
    Ed_Gee
    Explorer II
    Oct 12, 2022
    I have never seen the need to 'turn off' the Zamp solar charge controller in our RV for storage. Why would one want to?
  • bgum's avatar
    bgum
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2022
    It has been said that with nothing to charge the panels don't do anything.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Oct 12, 2022
    Under cover the panels will do nothing, but, since the recommended connection sequence is batteries first, I think I'd disconnect the panels from the controller.
  • ktmrfs's avatar
    ktmrfs
    Explorer II
    Oct 12, 2022
    2oldman wrote:
    Under cover the panels will do nothing, but, since the recommended connection sequence is batteries first, I think I'd disconnect the panels from the controller.


    Not true on the "under cover panels will do nothing". Under my ADCO cover and another cover my panels will still give a few amps on sunny days. The reason is that most covers allow some light spectrum through that the panels respond to. Just because us humans can't see through something doesn't mean certain light wavelengths are blocked. An example is the black plastic on entertainment stuff. transparent to Ir but blocks visible light.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Oct 12, 2022
    ktmrfs wrote:
    Not true on the "under cover panels will do nothing".
    Then he better disconnect them.

    My panels are under the cover of a metal roof and the controller says nothing is happening.
  • Ed_Gee's avatar
    Ed_Gee
    Explorer II
    Oct 12, 2022
    If you contacted Zamp already, why didn't you ask them? They have excellent customer service . Just a phone call away. Frankly, as I already said, never an issue for me in past years to leave Zamp as is. there is no off switch. Additional, with battery disconnect switch off, no need to remove batteries anyway . The Zamp controller bypasses that switch and will continue to keep batteries topped up, even with a cover over them.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Oct 12, 2022
    WindyNation says…”WARNING: Connect the battery BEFORE connecting the solar panel(s).
    1) Connect the Battery Connect the charge controller to the battery BEFORE connecting the solar panels to the charge controller.”

    I’d disconnect the panels from the controller first if you are planning to remove the batteries.
  • ktmrfs's avatar
    ktmrfs
    Explorer II
    Oct 12, 2022
    2oldman wrote:
    ktmrfs wrote:
    Not true on the "under cover panels will do nothing".
    Then he better disconnect them.

    My panels are under the cover of a metal roof and the controller says nothing is happening.


    metal roof, yes, but under a typical woven cover my experience along with several others is that a 150watt panel will give about 1A under clear sky in the winter. The woven fabric covers are not completely blocking all the wavelengths of light the panels can respond to.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Oct 13, 2022
    disconnect the panels from the controller. Then disconnect the batteries from the controller. Doing it in any other order may let out the magic blue smoke.
  • Ed_Gee's avatar
    Ed_Gee
    Explorer II
    Oct 13, 2022
    From Zamp Solar technical support this morning:

    " Zamp Solar
    Hi and thank you for contacting Zamp Solar. You can absolutely leave your Controller disconnected from your Batteries over the course of the Winter. You will see a B01 error code but that won't have any risk of harming your system. "

    I other words, you do NOT need to disconnect your solar panels.

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