Re: Portable solar question
The key reason that you would not want multiple DC sources on is that you will most like confuse the charge controller. Some controllers will switch off, some will be convinced they are in float and produce minimal charge output. While I do not think it will create any adverse conditions it certainly may cause the charge controllers to not perform at their optimal performance. If you have a decent charge controller with. battery temp feedback, it will come up with a different voltage set point then a controller that is not as sophisticated. How much of a problem will that be? I can't really say for sure but at a minimum I believe that you will get worse battery life, and worst case you will damage a controller.
One question, have you tried it as it is wired today? I expect that you may not be getting great results. One problem could be mating a controller that will shut down, with one that wont. In this case you would only be left with the controller that doesn't shut down. ( I expect that may be the case with the built in Zamp ). I expect that you have a bidirectional separator between the house and starting batteries. So enough charge from either source will combine the two battery systems, in this case the current house solar system may shut down and only leave you with the portable solar charger output.
This would be the same as moving it directly to the house system. If you can disable your separator, you should be able have the portable charge the starters and let the house system charge. Even if they both stay on you still have the issue of different controllers trying to set the voltage on the battery. This probably would be less of a issue during the bulk charging phase, so you might be able to use it for that stage. It would be the absorption and float stage that I would have my bigger concern.
I did take a look at the Zamp website, they are big on marketing documentation, but did not seem to have a lot of technical information.
hope this helps
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-greg
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