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08-19-2015, 05:47 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
1972 25' Tradewind
Hopkins
, Minnesota
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 458
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Solar Input Receptacle
I am installing a solar charging unit (Renogy) with panels that I can move around as needed to keep them in the sun. Does anyone know if anyone makes an external input/plug that could be mounted like my Furion 30a inputs, so I could plug and unplug the panels as necessary? Thanks for your 'input'.
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08-19-2015, 06:00 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Bend
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 761
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Furious make one. I have it. But I have no idea what the connector is to plug into it!! Very frustrating and a large part of the reason I have not finished my solar build...
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08-19-2015, 06:13 PM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
1972 25' Tradewind
Hopkins
, Minnesota
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 458
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Thanks blue... They don't make it easy to figure that one out, do they?
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08-19-2015, 06:53 PM
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#4
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Keen amature
1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield
, Kent
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,533
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Zamp make one, but it is basically a 2-way SAE connector (half way down their portable solar page, Portable Solar). I still mounted mine in the battery compartment to give it some more protection.
It also is the type of connector found on most battery tenders so allows you to plug in a tender rather than using the 30amp shore power to keeps the batteries at float.
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08-19-2015, 07:02 PM
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#5
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begorragirl
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Denville
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,029
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Saw a zamp one on a Tab last weekend. I currently just clamp my zamp to battery, but will get the plug.
__________________
2006 Bambi CCD ("EireStream!!")
2010 Funfinder
2005 T@B
2001 Teardrop, Mountain Hardware Tent
For some perfection takes a little longer...
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08-19-2015, 07:10 PM
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#6
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Keen amature
1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield
, Kent
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,533
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I bought the Zamp, but then found there are similar ones for sale on eBay, just make sure you check the gauge of wire fitted.
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08-19-2015, 07:25 PM
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#7
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Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
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How about a 10 amp Anderson connector?
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08-19-2015, 07:28 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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I also got a look at a top of the line TAB this past weekend. It was prewired for solar with a plug similar to this one,
SCOTTY Plug and Socket, 2007 and newer | West Marine
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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08-19-2015, 07:38 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
1972 25' Tradewind
Hopkins
, Minnesota
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 458
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I'm sure hoping to find something that looks as good and is as watertight as my shiny Furrions.
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08-19-2015, 07:46 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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how about using the umbilical cord?
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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08-19-2015, 07:54 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1964 22' Safari
modesto
, California
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,094
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Not exactly what you are looking for. However this worked for me.
I used these, 6 AWG 50 AMP Battery Cable Connectors from Pico wiring Accessories.
http://www.picowiring.com/pdf/Cat-21.pdf
My charge controller is mounter under the front window. I removed the center piece of inside skin under the window and routed the cable though the inside skin (Snap Bushings) and drilled through the C-channel and floor and secured cables to the frame and put on my connector with a dust/moister cover near the tongue. Same connectors on the 60' extension cables and PV panels.
That was my solution and it does work great.
Sorry, Looks like the server is still acting up and I can't upload a photo.
Hope that helps
-Dennis
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08-19-2015, 07:58 PM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
1972 25' Tradewind
Hopkins
, Minnesota
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 458
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richinny
how about using the umbilical cord?
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That would be convenient...but not sure how that would be accomplished with the charging unit. But me and electrical don't get along so swell.
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08-19-2015, 08:17 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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you'd have to fabricate a waterproof enclosure with an input for the solar panels and an output for the umbilical cord. do you have a metal box in your a-frame?
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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08-20-2015, 01:28 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Bend
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 761
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arktos55343
Thanks blue... They don't make it easy to figure that one out, do they?
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Yeah, it is really pissing me off! I have the flap part, but I have NO idea what the connector I need to go with it... grrrr.
I have the Zamp solar port too... But it looks tacky..
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08-20-2015, 11:29 PM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
1972 25' Tradewind
Hopkins
, Minnesota
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 458
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gsmblue
Yeah, it is really pissing me off! I have the flap part, but I have NO idea what the connector I need to go with it... grrrr.
I have the Zamp solar port too... But it looks tacky..
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I had a frustrating time dealing with Furrion today...trying to get information on their Solar Port. Evidently, it only works with their ECO Solar setup. Something about liability. Ha. I told them their little 95w solar array wasn't good for much of anything, other that topping off the batteries. They agreed, but didn't really appreciate my sense of humor. Anyway, even though I have Furrion 30a shore power, generator and cable inputs, I won't be buying their very limited use Solar Port. Instead, I found a waterproof Go Power Inlet that accepts MC4 connectors. I'm going to mount it above the 7 pin behind the LPG tanks and route it directly to a Viewstar 30a PWM Controller (all of my electronics and batteries have been moved to the front of my Trade Wind during the remodel). That will give me the shortest path to the batteries. This solar port is available through Go Power dealers, or I found it on Amazon. No cheap, but sleek.
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09-04-2015, 02:16 PM
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#16
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1 Rivet Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 11
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I bought the Zamp connector and mounted it on my battery box. The problem is the gauge is not heavy enough so I quit using it and clamp directly to the batteries. I hope to get an Anderson plug.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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09-04-2015, 02:19 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
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I used Andersons with a pigtail that comes out the battery door on the front.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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09-04-2015, 03:57 PM
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#18
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1 Rivet Member
2015 16' Sport
Santa Rosa
, California
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 11
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I have the Renogy 100W "suitcase" panel. I purchased 30' of 10/2 cord and made my own cable using Anderson connectors from my local Interstate dealer. They even crimped the connectors for me. I created a pigtail on my battery box and another on the solar controller. The rest of the cable is my "extension" which lets me place the panel in the best location. It is simple, quick to connect and has worked really well.
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09-04-2015, 04:34 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Bend
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 761
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I made some progress here. I pulled the solar port apart and found out the connector is a YP-20 by CNLinko
YP-20 Power Connector | Cnlinko
I just can't find anywhere to buy one. Furrion are useless... I gave up on them..
I also found out that if you unscrew the female connector from the "Furrion Solar port" that you can pretty much drop in the Zamp connector into the same hole.
Now, as I previously discovered:
1. the Furrion inserts are interchangeable, this was learnt when I upgraded the TV/cable port to the stainless steel and I could only get the TV/phone version.
2. So I put the Zamp connector in the Solar port plate as I mentioned above, nice snug fit, the flap closes.
3. I put the "solar port insert" into a into a stainless steel receptacle (actually it is labeled "30Amp 125V" so i need to take care of that!..
As you can see in the pic, it still needs sealing and screwing in... blah, blah...
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09-04-2015, 04:49 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
2014 23' FB Flying Cloud
Mill Valley
, Left Coast
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 61
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What's the amp rating of the connector package?
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