Solar panel replacement: Solara ---> Zamp

[1der]

Solar Controller: $196
Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT 100/30 Charge Controller
MPPT vs Zamp PWM, Bluetooth control from your smart phone.
- Remote mount it and cover up the old location or use that location for something else. Victron is a slick unit.

Panels:
Renogy 100w Compact Design x 2 - $212
https://www.renogy.com/renogy-100-wa...ompact-design/
200w on two panels better shade tolerance than single Zamp plus 30w more. 17.6% more watts for 4.7% more surface area. If you want to expand to 300w, easier to add a 100w increment then a 170w increment.

Clips: Use Alum angle or
Renogy Clips package $20 x 2= $40
https://www.renogy.com/renogy-2-sets...cket-set-of-4/

Solar Pass Through if you are wanting to upgrade: $30
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...iABEgKr_PD_BwE
Fits under the panel nicely, waterproof and easy to mount.

Wiring from roof panels:
Buy this cut it in half and you have 25ft each with male and female connectors plus you will need the two into one or three into one Mc4 combiners
https://www.amazon.com/Gauge-Solar-P...ateway&sr=8-19

Combiner: (I suggest three because you can easily add another panel if so desired;
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B4WWZHK...3-7df27df7c135

Remote location Panel connection is so desired:
Locate down low (NOT the roof) so it has easy access to placing the suitcase panel away from the shade. Can be a surface mounted through the wall or a plug that comes out under the van or just inside the door. The other end goes to your solar controller.

Apples to apples is $450 vs $750 or more for the Zamp.
Saves $300+ for ??

Renogy sale ends today for the panels but they have them often.

[REF]

Agreed.....I just replaced (moved it to the Lance) my single Kyocera with 2 of those 100W units from Renogy-great panels at a good price and they’re a nice size to fit more than one of them up on the rooftop.

[UnaccomplishedAngler]

Thanks all, for the great input and suggestions. I've got a lot to chew on before I make my purchase. Much appreciated.

[rionapo]

No experience with Renogy or any other panel but I want to add my $.02 about Zamp. We have a SMB-installed Kyocera on top and an external Zamp that is one of the first Zamps sold through SMB. (John Yozamp answered the phone in those days.) We upgraded the external and bought a second portable for our Chaser. Had some warranty issues early on. Had compatibility issues with the Chaser. Every time we've talked with Zamp they've been quick to help and made things work for us. Others may have had other results but I can't speak highly enough about the people and the service at the company.

Don

[moorefc]

Also take a look at the Renogy mppt controller as well as their panels.....Lots of use of their panels and hardware in Mexico.....Otherwise, I don't see why you couldn't use the Victron recommended earlier 100v/15A version if the two panels are hooked in series (~6A short circuit)....about 1/2 the price.

[cckweiss]

We had a 2005 E-350 with the exact same panels and controller. SMB West replaced one of our panels with a Zamp, and did not replace our controller. Based on that, I don't think you need to replace your controller, either.

[duke906]

Can someone direct me to source or guide for adding solar to 2002 E-250 SMB Penthouse?

[basssears]

I'll echo some comments above:


* the Victron MPPT controllers are great. They are solidly built, harness a lot of early / late power and the Bluetooth monitoring is much easier than trying to read some half hidden display screen. Very configurable too.



* definitely consider how to get the panels away from the van. Ours are roof mounted, so they're always charging when we're parked at a trailhead or just parked somewhere for one night and not too worried about how much juice we get. But when we stay somewhere multiple days the panels come off the roof and plug into an "extension cord" (make sure the cord is proper size for distance and voltage drop) and get the panel away from the van, especially if we parked in shade, and so you can properly angle / move around for mid day / early / late sun.


* if you're going with two panels consider wiring them in series not parallel to take greatest advantage of the MPPT's ability to convert voltages... but be aware series panels perform worse when one panel is shaded and other is in shade than if they're wired in parallel.


* I used 12 gauge "two wire trailer connector" plugs to make my plug from my series wired panels (2 x 50w Renogy) to the wiring through the Penthouse, then made my "extension cord" up with those plugs as well, to move panels off Penthouse pull four pins, disconnect one plug, connect extension cord and done


Just did 4 days / 3 nights, hot during day fridge running alot, cold at night furnace ran decent amount, never had to worry about power, our 100w setup kept our two semi-crappy ~75AH batteries nice and happy.

[shadetreevanman]

I've installed Renogy 100W panels on 2 vans and a tent trailer over the years. Currently have 2 panels on the roof of my E350 and 1 on my Vanagon. Used the Renogy MPPT Controller on all of them with good success, although the controller I have is no longer listed on their website. The bluetooth connectivity on the Victron is desirable. so I could check the batteries whenever I wanted without going to the display. Although I will say, after years of using this setup, I don't think about my batteries much, so I don't check them that often.

[mpollack]

I apologize if this is slightly off topic, but can anyone offer some advice on the best way to fill the old (unused) mounting holes to prevent leaks, and likewise, what fasteners and sealants are recommended for installing the brackets for the new panels.

Thanks,

Michael