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Old 03-14-2022, 02:30 PM   #1
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Solar suitcase questions

We have a 2019 micro
Minnie 2108DS and want to add a suitcase solar panel kit. We have a solar access port on the side but Does this model have a built in charge controller to the battery? There also us a label by the port that says use Zamp solar portable charging systems. Has anyone used a different company and what is the maximum amount of watts it can handle? Appreciate any help with these questions.
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Old 03-14-2022, 02:47 PM   #2
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My suit case Zamp 200 watt has a charge controller built in. I would guess most if not all of the have this since they are portable.
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Old 03-14-2022, 03:20 PM   #3
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It kind of depends on whether or not you also have some factory installed solar panels on the roof of the RV. If you do, then you no doubt have a solar charge controller installed as well.

It's easy to tell with a voltage meter - if you put the probes from your multi-meter on the input receptacle and read 12.X volts then you do not have a solar charge controller. If the meter reads between 18 and 20v then you have a panel on the roof and a charge controller elsewhere.

You absolutely can use any other brand you wish. Just be aware that Zamp uses a proprietary plug that others generally do not. Though many companies make adapters from a standard MC4 connector to a Zamp SAE (wired in reverse) connector. The Zamp SAE connector is likely what you have on the side of your RV.

And, as stated previously, if you find that you do not have a solar charge controller then be sure to get a "suitcase" with a built in solar charge controller. They are available on the market with and without the controller.

One more thing, Zamp products tend to cost double what other brands cost.
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Old 03-14-2022, 03:31 PM   #4
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Very helpful. Many thanks
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Old 03-14-2022, 04:11 PM   #5
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Yes, Zamp products are several times the price of generics. Their DC outlet accepts what is generically called an SAE plug. It is good for at least 30 amps, although it probably isn't connected with big enough wire for that current.

Most likely it is wired direct to the battery as Zamp's suitcase solar panels have built in controllers. But that isn't the best way since if you want to put the solar panels 50' from the coach then you have lots of voltage drop from the controller to the battery which doesn't allow for best charging.

So.... Buy generic panels, wire them up with MC4 connectors and at the solar port switch over to the SAE plug. Amazon has all of this including adapters from MC4 cables to the SAE plug. Then rewire the solar port inside with bigger wire, at least 8 gauge and put a solar controller, preferably an MPPT type near the batteries.

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Old 03-14-2022, 04:36 PM   #6
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There are a ton of portable panels for sale on Amazon at many different price points and wattages. Typically, one would be looking for 100W - 200W, but that will depend on the capacity. A quick call to Winnebago should tell you what the capacity is. It also may be detailed in your owner's manual:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=portable+...ent_5_0_recent

I don't think there's much if any question that Zamp makes high quality panels, but personally, I wouldn't spend the extra dollars over another quality company like Renogy and others. Nor would I go for the cheapest panels I could find.

Even though your Minnie is wired for Zamp connectors, it's not a big deal, they can be installed on any panel's cord and adapters are available. The Zamp port takes a basic SAE connector, but the polarity is reversed from what you might find on many (but not necessarily all) other solar panels that use SAE connectors. If your panel doesn't use an SAE connector, they're easy to install. You'll just want to get the polarity right. If you're not up to switching the polarity on your panel's cord, SAE to Zamp adapters are available:

https://www.solaroverstock.com/produ...everse-adapter

You'll just want to use a multimeter to triple check your polarities.

Here are some previous threads that may help with your questions:

https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...ar-355238.html

https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...ns-356837.html

https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...ll-353834.html

https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...ie-359461.html
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Old 03-14-2022, 08:23 PM   #7
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Perhaps a touch off topic, but we purchased a Renogy 20A - 200W suitcase about a year ago. Like almost everyone these days we searched Amazon and CNET first.

We called Renogy direct because we go out of our way NOT to buy China made, and they sounded US made. Turns out they are US designed, Thai assembled with China solar cells. So close! (BTW cannot find a US made solar panel)

Renogy offered us free shipping, $100 off the Amazon price and applied $100 of our Bezo bucks (how does THAT work?)

The point being, we often find "stuff" on Amazon, call the source and get a better deal. Since Prime is slower these days, we get our "stuff" almost as fast and have a relationship with real customer service. If you call them they answer and know their business.

Our Renogy has proved to be the perfect completer to our energy usage when boondocking.

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Old 03-15-2022, 05:18 PM   #8
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The problem with portable panels with built-in charge controllers is that you can’t place them more than a few feet away from the rv battery before experiencing large voltage drops, and resulting poor charge amperage. Also, many are pwm controllers which degrade performance even more. The best performing suitcase solar solution is a panel with no charge controller. Then mount a mppt charge controller in the rv close to the battery. You can then run a 30ft cable to the panel through a sidewall port with virtually no voltage drop. If you already have a charge controller installed inside the rv (hopefully near the battery) and plan to connect a portable to it, you cannot do it if the portable has a built-in charge controller.. Zamp and SAE ports are the same except Zamp polarity is reversed. A small adapter handles that problem. If you want a soft folding portable, get one with the new technology EFTM/PERC construction. These new panels are every bit as efficient as hard panels, but they do cost more than cheaper portables.
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Old 03-20-2022, 05:17 PM   #9
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Take a look at the Nektek 100W panels on Amazon. They are nearly square, not long and narrow, so easier to handle; come with adjustable legs (sun angle very important for maximum amps); and produce a very efficient open circuit voltage of 23.4v. You could get two and hinge them for a small, but powerful portable system. But, as others have indicated, all this is much less effective without a good MPPT controller and appropriate gauge wire. However, one way to use smaller diameter, more flexible, less expensive wire is to wire the two panels in series and get a 24v input to 12v output controller.
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