Quote:
Originally Posted by rionapo
Our experience is good, we think. Search the forum for other threads on Zamp to see the tale of our warranty work and SMB install. However, the unit wasn't working last weekend. Will have to determine whether the problem we had with the SMB connection resurfaced or if it's the panel.
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An update on our situation: When we had the external PV hookup worked on last year, we found that SMB's ground cable wasn't connected at the plug. The mechanic found the detached cable and reattached it. (SMB-West reimbursed us for the work.) The panel still didn't seem to work but winter was upon us so we set the matter aside, probably a mistake on our part but I was hesitant to pay the money for more work on the system. However, we're back in camping season and need the additional power for shade camping so I bit the bullet to pay for more repair work.*
The problem was the SMB-West installation for the external plug. SMB's ground wire that*the mechanic connected last year*had three short sections of wiring through harness. The splices failed, so we didn't have functional grounding. We are now the proud owners of a single length of wire through the wiring harness and the external PV works.
At first, I thought the Zamp unit was still failing because the mechanic said it was only producing 2 amps of power with the SMB parked in his garage and out of the sun. However, Mike at Zamp told me this morning the controller drops to 2 amps anytime the battery is charged, which it was yesterday at the mechanic's. I ran a vacuum cleaner with the inverter for a few seconds to discharge the battery, plugged the Zamp unit in (while the rooftop unit isn't working because we're parked under a carport), and watched the battery voltage gauge climb right back up to operating levels. FWIW, Mike told me that if the unit wasn't working to send it to him and he'd fix it. Zamp continues to impress. We'll see what SMB-W says about our latest expense.