New Solar Panels for M@bel!

Smullis7

Santa brought me the Zamp 200w solar panel for M@bel!  I just had to hook it up and test it out even though M@bel is parked in the back yard.  It was super easy to set up...pretty much plug and play...and Santa also left an extension cable for it too, which helped since the sun was in back of the camper.  I did not need it for the below photo, but did to move it any farther away.  I read Verna's and PXLated's comments about their solar panels on LauraRey's thread when she first bought her T@B.  Although I did receive these as a gift from 'He Who Buys The Biggest Available', I probably would have gone with the 200s for the same reason as Verna.  It is larger and weighs in at @50lbs...but I'm just going to tell myself when I'm hefting it around that it's part of my new workout program.  

Nomad

Congrats !!!!

j_ntabowners

jealous, but in a good way  congrats! 

Nomad

boo - That just means M@ble will be getting a generator gift next year :-)

LauraRey

Congrats!  Santa was generous.

Verna

Congrats!  As I lifted the Zamp yesterday, I reminded myself it will weigh less in April after I have my Zamp power lifting muscles back in shape after lifting it frequently this winter!

ericnliz

Congrats and now it's off to parts undiscovered!

mickietucs

Smullis7 - I have the Zamp 160w and also got the extension cord for it, but have found I really don't need to move the panels at all. Even when it's cloudy or raining, I've found that size still charges a.o.k. The only thing I do is when I set it up, take a look at which side it will receive the most sun. This set up also allows me to use my very hefty motorcycle chain/lock to be placed either in one of the handles or around the tongue. 

Smullis7

Thanks for the info, Mickietucs!  That will save me a lot of unnecessary fidgeting it around.  

ericnliz

mickietucs & Smullis, We have the 100w Renogy with extensions, and if you pick your initial spot where you capture the most sun per day, moving it around is usually not an issue for us either. Maybe once a day at the most. Enjoy, you'll love it!

Nomad

I tend to move mine a couple times a day - It's so easy. But, I tend to tuck into nice little spots under trees and the sun gets blocked at any one position for some part of the day. If you're out in the open, facing south gets you all day sun but if you like to tuck in, not so much.

Tabaz

I have the 200W Zamp and really like them.  I agree with PXL and try to keep the T@B shaded.  I have two 15' cables and a long shank padlock.  Also have a Zamp 10' (?) extension cord.  The Zamp frame is wide enough to drill a 1/2" hole for the padlock.

Cyclonic

Very nice, that is a lot of power.

mickietucs

I couldn't drill a hole in the frame because my chain is insanely thick (I know, it's just a deterrent) and having it wrapped around the tongue or handle on the tab and through the handle and legs of the Zamp works plus I don't have to mess with moving it around - at least so far!

Verna

@mickietucs, it looks like Outback AZ put his padlock through the hole he drilled in his Zamp frame.

Tabaz

Verna is correct.  However, an "insanely thick chain" could be attached to the extra long shank on the padlock.  Of course, all of this is just an attempt to slow down the bad guys and hope they go elsewhere.

Nomad

I have a long security cable I bought for my panels and rarely use it - Only out in the boondocks when they're going to be left alone for a period when I'm out/about. Never use it in campgrounds. There are usually so many unsecured panels sitting out and people kind of look out for each other. For instance, right now in this campground, 45% of the sites have panels sitting out.

mickietucs

OutbackAZ said:

Verna is correct.  However, an "insanely thick chain" could be attached to the extra long shank on the padlock.  Of course, all of this is just an attempt to slow down the bad guys and hope they go elsewhere.

Frank - I'll take a look at yours at T@Bazona (although I think we all have hookups so our panels probably won't be deployed) or perhaps you can look at my padlock - it, too, is very thick so I'm not sure it's feasible to drill a hole in my Zamp. But will see!

Tabaz

Michele - as long as the shank on the lock is 1/2" or smaller, it will fit in a 1/2" hole drilled into the Zamp frame.  I'll bring my drill to T@Bazona in case you want to do this.

mickietucs

OutbackAZ said:

Michele - as long as the shank on the lock is 1/2" or smaller, it will fit in a 1/2" hole drilled into the Zamp frame.  I'll bring my drill to T@Bazona in case you want to do this.

Okay - we'll assess it when I see you - thanks!