Need help with Solar on my Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser

[78704bill]

I just bought the GS Vintage Cruiser 17RWD. I love this little trailer. It is "solar ready" with a plug on the outside of the camper. I have no idea what to order to plug into it. Can anyone advise? I will be doing some dry camping and want to be able to use, and recharge the battery.

[jol]

I know it is a ZAMP connector and the gauge of wire is bigger than a two wire type plug, such as a motorcycle battery charger. Now where is gets interesting is it does not go directly to battery so that means it goes to a power bus somewhere. I have a 100 watt Renogy suitcase solar charger and just used alligator clips to battery but would like to use ZAMP connector. I have a 10 amp. controller on the solar panel and am thinking of buying the ZAMP connector from Zamp with raw end and using it. Now if I can find out how Gulfstream used bus then should not be a problem unless the branched of a bunch of circuits or changed wire gauge then that could cause and issue. If you find a cord let me know....

[jol]

Found out some information, like the ZAMP port will be 12awg 14" long. The installer should have used 10AWG to the battery. The port will take up to 200 watt's of solar power max. Now not sure how yours is set up but mine goes from ZAMP plug to a buss inside the trailer and not directly to battery so not sure how that is going to work, think I will just keep using the alligator clips for a bit just to keep stuff inside safe. Hope that will shed some light on it.

Rob

[highrez58]

We have a SolarLand 90w suitcase solar kit with MC4 connectors. It connects directly into the port in the trailer and works great.

[kim]

We have a SolarLand 90w suitcase solar kit with MC4 connectors. It connects directly into the port in the trailer and works great.
Any chance you can provide a link to what you're using that works. Does it plug direcly into the Zamp outlet? What does it power, any details on camping using solar would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[PopPopK]

I have a 100 watt solar panel with the ZAMP connector and I just plug the panel directly into the trailer ZAMP outlet and keep the panel in direct sunlight. Keeps batteries topped off, works great. Good luck

[ctlayton1]

I just bought a Geo that is solar ready. I know the MC4 connections work on the side of the trailer, however, does anyone know if that plug is wired to a charge controller, or does it feed the batteries directly?

[PopPopK]

I believe it goes directly to the batteries. I have a charge controller hooked to my panel which goes to the plug.

[ctlayton1]

I believe it goes directly to the batteries. I have a charge controller hooked to my panel which goes to the plug.

Nice, does having the charge controller increase the amount of panel wattage you can plug in? Right now it says max 200W...can I go higher than that if I add the controller?

[PopPopK]

You should not go over the rated wattage of the controller or panels. My controller is rated at 200watts, It takes about 8hours of direct sun light to top off my 2 battery system. I have a 100 watt panel.

[ctlayton1]

Thanks for the information. I think I’ll plug a 100w pane into the MC4 slots and see how it goes.