New ZAMP Obsidian portable solar - Introductory sale ends Saturday

[Hawkeye Ed]

There’s been a lot of Zamp Solar discussions here over the years, particularly because of Zamp solar integration in Escape trailers and the high quality (although spendy) reputation of the Bend, Oregon solar manufacturer.

UPS just delivered to me one of Zamp’s brand new portable Obsidian solar kits

https://store.zampsolar.com/collecti...-portable-kits

They are half the weight of Zamp’s previous portable kits and have an integrated carry case that doubles as a quick-deploy adjustable stand.

Anyway, Zamp has a Black Friday special pricing and free ground shipping deal on these Obsidian portable kits. The special pricing is said to end tomorrow (Saturday 12/11).

I’m glad to answer questions about the kit I received today if you want to be in touch.

Ed

[thunderworks]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye Ed

There’s been a lot of Zamp Solar discussions here over the years, particularly because of Zamp solar integration in Escape trailers and the high quality (although spendy) reputation of the Bend, Oregon solar manufacturer.

UPS just delivered to me one of Zamp’s brand new portable Obsidian solar kits

https://store.zampsolar.com/collecti...-portable-kits

They are half the weight of Zamp’s previous portable kits and have an integrated carry case that doubles as a quick-deploy adjustable stand.

Anyway, Zamp has a Black Friday special pricing and free ground shipping deal on these Obsidian portable kits. The special pricing is said to end tomorrow (Saturday 12/11).

Are you combining this with rooftop mounted, Escape installed systems . . . through a Zamp port?

I’m glad to answer questions about the kit I received today if you want to be in touch.

Ed

Are you combining this with an Escape installed, rooftop system? Plugged into a Zamp port?

[h2owmn]

I'll be interested in how you like it, Ed. Sounds like Zamp is following the Lensun suitcase models, but as you say, spendy (in comparison).

[Hawkeye Ed]

Originally Posted by thunderworks

Are you combining this with an Escape installed, rooftop system? Plugged into a Zamp port?

We didn't order any solar with our 5.0. We usually camp in the shades so that's why a portable system works best.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye Ed

...and have an integrated carry case that doubles as a quick-deploy adjustable stand.

That looks like it could be quite a pain to clean if deployed on wet grass, dirt, or mud that might be encountered on a campsite. I'd much prefer a couple of adjustable legs.

Price seems high. What makes these portable panels worth the extra cost compared to other manufacturers out there?

[Red]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Price seems high. What makes these portable panels worth the extra cost compared to other manufacturers out there?

As quoted on the Zamp web site. "These Made in USA panels are handcrafted in Bend, Oregon using premium materials and precision manufacturing techniques to meet your off-grid power needs and exceed your expectations". Lensun manufactures in China with warehouses around the world. As quoted on the Lensun web site. "We have warehouse in UK, US,Germany and Australia, most of the orders ship from our customer's locally warehouse by express shipping, then they can save the import custom tax".

There are significant tariffs on imported solar panels in the US. Whether you agree or not, the pricing of solar panels has increased since the duties were applied in 2018. The 100watt Coleman portable solar panels I purchased from Costco before the tariffs were applied in 2018 have doubled in price today. I am not sure how Escape continues to offer such low prices for the roof installed 190Watt panel

[Effie]

Nice, but expensive.

[Centex]

Can anyone direct me to the technical electrical specs for the Zamp panels or charge controllers?

With apology in advance if I'm missing the obvious after scouring their website.

https://www.zampsolar.com/

[marsman]

Ed, Thanks for the heads up on that sale! As a solar newbie may I ask how you are actually hooking those up? We have the OEM solar package with the 2 AGM batteries and an installed Zamp port on our 2019 5.0TA. I noticed that the package comes with a controller so would I simply hook up the wires from the Zamp port right to my AGMs? Or is there additional work to install this type of system? Thanks.

[Hawkeye Ed]

Originally Posted by marsman

Ed, Thanks for the heads up on that sale! As a solar newbie may I ask how you are actually hooking those up? We have the OEM solar package with the 2 AGM batteries and an installed Zamp port on our 2019 5.0TA. I noticed that the package comes with a controller so would I simply hook up the wires from the Zamp port right to my AGMs? Or is there additional work to install this type of system? Thanks.

Since I don't already have roof panels and a charge controller, and since the Zamp portable panels I bought do have a built-in charge controller, all I have to do is to connect the charge controller output to my batteries with the included 15' cable.

My understanding is that those of you who already have roof panels with a charge controller already installed don't need an additional charge controller for the portable panels. You can just hook up portable panels in parallel with the roof panels, assuming the camper's charge controller has sufficient capacity to handle the extra panel wattage and assuming the portable panels have the same voltage rating as the roof panels.

[Eggscape]

My 180 watt solar panel purchased on Amazon.ca also came today.

Looks like a great panel and a smoking deal for a Canadian price at $1 a watt.

The “Hobotech” guy did a video on the panel a few weeks ago and offered a discount code. It sold out almost instantly on Amazon US. However Amazon Canada still has some and if you put in the HOBOTECH10 code it drops the price down to under $180 tax in, Canadian.

It is also available at the Bougerv manufacturers web page as well.
https://www.bougerv.com/

I have no idea if it fits on the roof as my plan is to use it as a portable.

https://youtu.be/9v0YMF7TMrk If you want to watch the review video.