2021 Solarflex Montana with wetbay ZAMP connector question

[hemiallen]

My new 3120rl has a Zamp input plug in the wet bay,

https://www.zampsolar.com/collection...side-wall-port

Anyone know if this connector feeds to my factory Victron 100-30A solar charger? I assume I can connect any panel, say up to 200W, direct without a separate charge control system, and emailing Montana I have yet to get a reply on this. Hoping the plug goes through the Victron vs direct to the batteries. Thinking of adding a portable panel like a suitcase to this port after trying the 300w on the roof, which might be shaded much of the day vs the portable that I can chase the sun with.

Thanks for any help

Allen

[Daryles]

I would say take the basement wall down and trace it back to the MPPT controller to be sure.

[rames14]

I believe (if you are asking about the one in the convenience center, that it is just a part of the solar ready. Since you have solar flex, you would need to tie into your 30 amp system. Do you have Jaboni or Victron?

[hemiallen]

Thanks

Yea it's the Victron smart solar 100-30.

I'll have to trace the wire, hoped someone already knew the answer

I'll go look when the shop is under 100 tomorrow morning.

Battleborns were shipped today, should be here tuesday I suspect.

Thanks

Allen

[rames14]

We should have a high in the 70’s tomorrow and 60’s Sunday, but rainy. You will love the Battleborn batteries. The thing that is best to me is how fast they recharge. Good luck.

[hemiallen]

I opened the wall to see where the Zamp wiring went. It was fairly well zip-tied and electrical taped, and I found a loop of the red-black zip type wire pulled out all the way to the water pump! Like for future connecting.

The one wire from the zamp seemed to go to the middle of the underbelly, not overhead towards the "solar prep" pockets in the storage bay.

So, without removing the entire wall where the In Command is, it'll be hard to trace the zamp wire, but it doesn't go to the Victron MPPT controller via the shortest route, lol.

Thanks

Allen

[rames14]

Allen, what are your camping plans now that you have your new rig and batteries? I assume you were going to use another panel on the ground to charge batteries?

[rames14]

Allen, I did some searching on the forum. This link may help you with where the wires come out. https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=75984

[hemiallen]

Thanks, yes those look like the same wires, if they weren't capped and a single loop it would be the same as I found in what looks like the same wall.

Well, the extra panel would be for our boondocking, roof solar probably will be mostly shaded so a portable suitcase-like panel was my plan.

But, where we boondock is currently in a fire danger area, grapes are about to be harvested ( maybe 3 weeks) and I am busy pumping water to the vineyard and tying up cane that the picking machine would break off. The tendrils that should hold the cane up has dried up so mother nature creates work for poor me.

Batteries failed to deliver today so probably Monday I'll be able to finish sorting out the battery layout and cut/ make the 1/0 cables.

[rames14]

Which wineries are your grapes used at and what varieties? Sounds like a busy time of year. Maybe you can make it to Quartzsite in January.

[hemiallen]

The Zamp has the same voltage as the batteries, 13.4 volts.

It might be better for me to just wire a connector directly to the Victron charge controller inside the storage bay that it is in. I love how the factory adds things like this Zamp outlet, but there isn't any literature that came with the RV explaining how to use it.

Thanks
Allen

[rames14]

From the manual:
Solar Prep
If equipped, a solar prep quick connect will be mounted on the exterior sidewall or roof. An aftermarket solar panel kit can be purchased to utilize this feature. Please refer to the manufacturer instructions supplied with the RV for care and operation and/or www.furrion.com, www.gpelectric.com, www.futuresales.com, www.wesco.com.
There is some other info in the manual, but limited.

[hemiallen]

Thank you very much.

Looks like the Zamp is just directly connected to the batteries, probably.

I think going direct to the Victron mppt may still be the best way to add a ground based panel.

Allen

[mootana]

Originally Posted by hemiallen

My new 3120rl has a Zamp input plug in the wet bay,

https://www.zampsolar.com/collection...side-wall-port

Anyone know if this connector feeds to my factory Victron 100-30A solar charger? I assume I can connect any panel, say up to 200W, direct without a separate charge control system, and emailing Montana I have yet to get a reply on this. Hoping the plug goes through the Victron vs direct to the batteries. Thinking of adding a portable panel like a suitcase to this port after trying the 300w on the roof, which might be shaded much of the day vs the portable that I can chase the sun with.

Thanks for any help

Allen

Sorry for the delay. But yes, the Zamp goes to a mini breaker and then to the battery. There should have been a sticker at the port to detail what can and cannot be plugged into the port.

[hemiallen]

Thanks Sam

The only sticker in the bay at the connector says :

SOLAR PLUG
ATTENTION
ONLY USE ZAMP
SOLAR PORTABLE
CHARGING SYSTEMS
ZAMP SOLAR

My question is, does the solar panel need it's own charge controller? Since it isn't Victron I suspect the port doesn't connect to the Victron 100-30 solar charger, like I hoped it would.

For me, another roof panel isn't as beneficial as a ground portable panel.

Finally finished installing my Battleborns, of 300Ah, the Victron Smartsolar and Smart Shunt upgrade greatly appreciated, as well as the Southwire upgrade. PS, If there is a digital display that works for it, I would like to procure one vs the green indicator light in the panel with the ceiling fan control panel.

Allen

[mootana]

Originally Posted by hemiallen

Thanks Sam

The only sticker in the bay at the connector says :

SOLAR PLUG
ATTENTION
ONLY USE ZAMP
SOLAR PORTABLE
CHARGING SYSTEMS
ZAMP SOLAR

My question is, does the solar panel need it's own charge controller? Since it isn't Victron I suspect the port doesn't connect to the Victron 100-30 solar charger, like I hoped it would.

For me, another roof panel isn't as beneficial as a ground portable panel.

Finally finished installing my Battleborns, of 300Ah, the Victron Smartsolar and Smart Shunt upgrade greatly appreciated, as well as the Southwire upgrade. PS, If there is a digital display that works for it, I would like to procure one vs the green indicator light in the panel with the ceiling fan control panel.

Allen

You want to use a portable panel that has a built in charge controller. That is why it refers to only using a Zamp panel.

I'm not aware if your Southwire is compatible with a different display. Their website might provide some information.

[hemiallen]

Thank you Sam.

Thank you for clarifying it isn't part of the solarflex -Victron charge control system. I hoped it was an option to max out the Victron 100-30, but an additional stand-alone for a portable panel is nice.

When shopping for trailers we looked at Alpine and they had this type port on the exterior wall near the front storage, the dealer had no idea how it was to be used.


Thank you

Allen

[RMcNeal]

I'm glad I found this thread. I just bought a FloJet Macerator which has a plug like this already on it. I purchased another from Amazon and was going to put it in the wet bay too and feed it from the batteries to plug in the macerator when I use it. Now I may end up relocating somewhere else so that it isn't confused with any solar stuff in the future. I have the Jaboni pre-wire setup but nothing else and I don't intend to put in solar any time soon. Maybe I'll just put it on the basement wall behind the battery compartment and make sure to label it.