Zamp plug with Jackery solar panel

[BobandJulie]

I've been tempted to plug my Jackery portable solar panel (100aw) into the Zamp plug on my Keystone Springdale 202RD which is rigged to the Solar 200 size. I have a nice lithium battery with a panel on the roof which keeps everything charged up so far. There is a Zamp solar input plug located by the battery box; the Zamp solar panel are remarkably expensive and I own the Jackery.

There are a few Youtube videos explaining the need for a reverse polarity plug and a solar regulator in the line when using a Jackery panel. Cautiously exploring this option.

Has anyone had experience with this setup?

Thanks,
Bob

[chuckster57]

Correct polarity is about the only issue I would worry about. YMMV

[MrKABC]

The Jackery panel has its own controller? I have the Western version of your trailer (202QBWE) and the Zamp wiring goes straight into the "Giggity" box. No controller or anything, just straight wire. Not recommended to plug in that way.

[BobandJulie]

Thank you for the response. I do think the Jackery panel needs the panel controller as well as the reverse polarity. I think Zamp has 'regulated' vs 'non-regulated' version of their panels. Before I pull the trigger on this, I expect to run it by Keystone.

In addition, I am considering upgrading the Keystone solar system with a second lithium battery, controller, and inverter. Do you have experience with this?

[RacerX]

The summary above was correct. You will need a reverse polarity adapter and an SAE to 8mm adapter to connect but also a charge controller between the panel and the battery as the Zamp connector is directly connected to the battery thru the Giggy box. Hooking your 18-22 Volt panel to it will possibly damage your battery or system.

[MrKABC]

Originally Posted by BobandJulie

Thank you for the response. I do think the Jackery panel needs the panel controller as well as the reverse polarity. I think Zamp has 'regulated' vs 'non-regulated' version of their panels. Before I pull the trigger on this, I expect to run it by Keystone.

In addition, I am considering upgrading the Keystone solar system with a second lithium battery, controller, and inverter. Do you have experience with this?

Yes, quite a bit actually (see my signature? All experience with my 202QBWE, including all of my mistakes!).

How can I help?

[BobandJulie]

Wow, it appears you could provide a master class on solar! I have basically the same internal footprint and the back dinette under storage space looks to be a great place for the install. A few top of mind questions:
1. Have you removed the battery boxes on the hitch behind propane?
2. Any floor reinforcement under the current battery bank?

Not ready to jump but will be in touch when ready.

Thanks,
Bob

Springdale 202RD '23; F150 Platinum '19

[MrKABC]

Originally Posted by BobandJulie

Wow, it appears you could provide a master class on solar! I have basically the same internal footprint and the back dinette under storage space looks to be a great place for the install. A few top of mind questions:
1. Have you removed the battery boxes on the hitch behind propane?
2. Any floor reinforcement under the current battery bank?

Not ready to jump but will be in touch when ready.

Thanks,
Bob

Springdale 202RD '23; F150 Platinum '19

Oh no, I have a long ways to go for "Master Jedi" status!! As a wise instructor once said, "much to learn you have" - that fits me to a T! (check out my thread in the Technical forum, I am lamenting an error I made in wire sizing with my new inverter)

I did remove the battery box - my TT only came with one and a sad little Group 24 Pb battery. Not its fault, and it went to a good home. I added a Harbor Freight cargo box in the space behind the twin propane tanks. Good storage for wheel chocks, levelers, WDH pins and tool, etc. (pic attached).

Each battery that I have (Battle Born GC2) weighs 31 lbs. 31 x 5 = 155 lbs. There is a steel crossmember that runs below the flooring at the back under the dinette, and it takes the majority of the weight so I am not troubled by the addition of the batteries at that location. You can see a shot I took during the install where I was running the Romex, data and 12v cables from the dinette over to the WFCO power center located next to/below the refrigerator, before I enclosed everything in fire resistant split loom tubing and sealed the entry holes. I circled in red where the batteries are located above the flooring.

Wife thinks I am nuts for this project - it is most likely overkill for most, but I enjoyed the challenge, and since I use my TT a lot for boondocking out in the desert she gets to enjoy the convenience of 120VAC without the worries of the batteries making it through the night.

I could have gone the easy route and simply added LiPo to the front of the trailer, added the inverter at the loop in the basement, and called it a day. But that's not me! You should have seen her face this past weekend when I took apart the air conditioner to add the soft start capacitor.

EDIT: I almost forgot! You asked about Solar. Here is the rear of the TT - OEM 200i Solar panel to the left, and two additional 200w panels I added. Since this picture I added a fourth solar panel at the front of the TT. I had to upgrade the MPPT controller to a Victron MPPT 100/50 since the "stock" Victron MPPT 75/15 that came with the 200i wasn't strong enough to handle more panels. Added pix!

[BobandJulie]

Beautiful job. I've gone to the technical notes, happy to have access to the forum's collective experiences. Thank you.

Bob
Springdale 202RD '23, Ford F150 Platinum '19