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Old 08-19-2015, 05:47 PM   #1
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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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Old 08-19-2015, 06:00 PM   #2
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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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Old 08-19-2015, 06:13 PM   #3
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Thanks blue... They don't make it easy to figure that one out, do they?
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Old 08-19-2015, 06:53 PM   #4
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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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Old 08-19-2015, 07:02 PM   #5
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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.
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Old 08-19-2015, 07:10 PM   #6
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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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Old 08-19-2015, 07:25 PM   #7
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How about a 10 amp Anderson connector?
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Old 08-19-2015, 07:28 PM   #8
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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
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Old 08-19-2015, 07:38 PM   #9
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Talking

I'm sure hoping to find something that looks as good and is as watertight as my shiny Furrions.
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Old 08-19-2015, 07:46 PM   #10
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how about using the umbilical cord?
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Old 08-19-2015, 07:54 PM   #11
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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
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Old 08-19-2015, 07:58 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richinny View Post
how about using the umbilical cord?
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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Old 08-19-2015, 08:17 PM   #13
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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?
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Old 08-20-2015, 01:28 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arktos55343 View Post
Thanks blue... They don't make it easy to figure that one out, do they?
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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Old 08-20-2015, 11:29 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gsmblue View Post
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..
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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Old 09-04-2015, 02:16 PM   #16
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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.


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Old 09-04-2015, 02:19 PM   #17
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I used Andersons with a pigtail that comes out the battery door on the front.
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Old 09-04-2015, 03:57 PM   #18
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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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Old 09-04-2015, 04:34 PM   #19
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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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Old 09-04-2015, 04:49 PM   #20
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What's the amp rating of the connector package?
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