Zamp Solar Connector and Portable Renogy Panel

[Ozzie66]

Does the Zamp Solar Connector in the water box connect to the batteries?

We have a 2024 3123RL with 440i with 230Ah lithium. I am thinking about ordering a 200W Renogy portable panel to plug into the Zamp . Has anyone done this? Do I need any special connectors or extension cable? I searched the forum and contacted Keystone but could not find an answer. Thanks

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Ozzie66

Does the Zamp Solar Connector in the water box connect to the batteries?

We have a 2024 3123RL with 440i with 230Ah lithium. I am thinking about ordering a 200W Renogy portable panel to plug into the Zamp . Has anyone done this? Do I need any special connectors or extension cable? I searched the forum and contacted Keystone but could not find an answer. Thanks

Hey Ozzie, The Zamp connection in the wet bay goes directly to the batteries. You'll need to purchase this connector to connect to the Renogy panel.

https://www.amazon.com/MENTBERY-Exte...0189bb124&th=1

[Ozzie66]

Tony, thank you very much. I just ordered the Renogy 200W panel and connector Amazon. Do the rings attach to the panel? I need a longer extension for the panel to move it away from the RV. Can I just splice in 20 or 30 feet of 10 AWG to this connector? I did not find any Renogy extension cables on Amazon. Thanks again. Ozzie

[Creeker]

Ozzy - You can not hook a solar panel directly to that zamp port without a charge controller between the panel and batteries. A solar panel by itself will produce way too high voltage. Be sure and order the renogy portable panel with included charge controller or you will have to add a separate controller. You also would be better off with an MC4 to SAE extension cable.

My solar port goes directly to batteries. Yours may go to a charge controller first but be absolutely sure before you connect a panel to the port.

[Ozzie66]

Foldbak and Creeker, thank you very much for the advice.
Let's see if I can get this straight on what I need.
I ordered this Renogy 200W portable panel w/o charge controller: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNPHD4VY...sin_title&th=1

Foldbak says the Zamp port goes directly to the batteries and to just buy the cited cable (no mention of my installed charge controller or a separate Renogy charge controller). We have the same 440i system. Foldbak, do you actually have a Renogy panel hooked up with the connector you cited? Is the Zamp port routed thru our charge controller and then to batteries? I don't know how to tell if my Zamp port is routed via my charge controller to the batteries.

So, should I get this charge controller (below) and MC4 to SAE cables?

Creeker says to get a Panel with the included charge controller. Amazon sells this charge controller for $29: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G1PL1B9...lig_dp_it&th=1

[ScottM]

Hi Ozzie,

There's more to your question than everyone "sees" here. On another post you said you just ordered a second LiTime lithium battery. I am thinking you will be adding this for more ah and at 12v. I know the pain your having with your overnight drain well. I too have a fridge that is a hog. With 540ah from sundown to sunup I will see only 30-50% remaining depending on outside temp.

That said, the others are on the right path (you dont want to connect direct, and do want a controller in the mix), but i would offer another path. With your 440i package already, you are firmly in the Victron "Blue" world. Stay there. Their stuff (while pricey) is truly amazing and can give your as much data as your mind (and wallet) can take. A small 100/30 MPPT will put all your data in one spot (app or VRM portal).

IF your using the lower "water box" port, I am guessing you will using it as a ground deploy. You will probably find that with such a large battery bank, these panels may not give you enough of a charge fast enough. You can add more in series or parallel for better results, and the controller will be able to handle it.

If you do go that route and need some help getting it all to talk and linkup ot VRM, just reach out, would be happy to help. I blame it on the fridge, but I really had fun doing it...

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Ozzie66

Foldbak and Creeker, thank you very much for the advice.
Let's see if I can get this straight on what I need.
I ordered this Renogy 200W portable panel w/o charge controller: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNPHD4VY...sin_title&th=1

Foldbak says the Zamp port goes directly to the batteries and to just buy the cited cable (no mention of my installed charge controller or a separate Renogy charge controller). We have the same 440i system. Foldbak, do you actually have a Renogy panel hooked up with the connector you cited? Is the Zamp port routed thru our charge controller and then to batteries? I don't know how to tell if my Zamp port is routed via my charge controller to the batteries.

So, should I get this charge controller (below) and MC4 to SAE cables?

Creeker says to get a Panel with the included charge controller. Amazon sells this charge controller for $29: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G1PL1B9...lig_dp_it&th=1

This is what I was referring to. Plug and play. https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-200-Wa...sr=8-1&th=1Yes remove the alligator clips and connect the cable.

[ScottM]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

This is what I was referring to. Plug and play. https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-200-Wa...sr=8-1&th=1Yes remove the alligator clips and connect the cable.

Foldbak,

in a previous reply, Ozzy asked you if you were running this set up yourself. I’m curious as well. Are you running this set up you propose with your 440 installation?

How were you able to overcome the different manufactures limitations? Two different controllers are not aware of each other and cannot communicate what each other is doing versus bulk, float, absorption, etc. not to mention different charging algorithms and curves. Similar setup can be had for within $50 or less of renongy link you provided.

[Foldbak]

Yes I'm running this setup. Don't over think it. The controllers don't need to communicate. They simply provide the batteries with whatever they need.

[Ozzie66]

Foldbak, Creeker, and ScottM, I thank everyone for their advice. I have a 2024 3123RL with 440i. That Furrion 20cf 12VDC fridge is drawing more like 10amps on hot 90-degree days. I just want to be able to boondock for a week without problems. I have two Honda 2000s. just added a second 230Ah LiTime battery two days ago and have 460Ah in parallel. I just added the portable 200W Renogy panel with 30A charge controller plugged into the Zamp port a day ago. Just testing for one day unplugged, the fridge drew about 80Ah running 12-hours overnight. More testing to do but it seems the extra 200 Watts is helping boost SOC during the day.
Like ScottM says "there is more to this simple question". ScottM like the looks of your set-up ... quite elaborate I must say. Thank you for the offer to help out and I'll take you up on it. We are leaving for a one-week boondock trip on Saturday (archery elk hunt near Ely, NV!). I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks to all again!
Ozzie