I am new to the world of soar and my only experince is with a Zamp system on my new travel trailer. I have installed a BMV-712 battery monitor and want to install more panels as I only have one 170w panel on the roof. What I am wondering is why I don't see any disussions about Zamp systems? Many, and I mean many of the travel trailers being delivered today are being deliverd "solar ready" and what that means is having Zamp connectors and or a combiner box on the roof to take a Zamp solar panel. If a panel is installed at the factory it's typically a Zamp panel. In my research I have found Zamp panels to be considerably more expensive than just about any panel out there. Why is that? Is there any reason that Will hasn't reviewed these panels in the many comparisions I have seen on his Youtube channle. Any insight would be appreciated.
Zamp solar panels
- Thread starter spogdog
- Start date
Do you have a link to this product? We need more info.
Is it this site? https://www.zampsolar.com/
Is it this site? https://www.zampsolar.com/
Yes that is the site. I've seen tons of comparison videos of other solar panels but none for these which I think is kind of odd seeing as they are one of the most expensive ones I've seen. I would think someone would have wondered why and tested them.
Welcome to the internets. Most of the Solar stuff is about cheap crap. Zamp isn't cheap, it's expensive. Is it worth the money? No. (personal review) I install solar on RVs and see many rigs "solar ready" by Zamp as some license deal and love it as Zamp at least uses 8 gauge wire from roof to wherever they decided the controller was to go but at the same time those owners for some reason think they HAVE to use Zamp panels. You don't. Sure Zamp claims to use class 'A' cells and not class 'B' or 'C' cells (which is a whole lotta WTF you talking about?) It's up to the consumer to look past marketing and match voltage for parallel panels and amps for series ones. It's a show, all of Zamp is a marketing show..
Bill Taylor
New Member
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- Apr 30, 2020
- Messages
- 75
This is what solar manufacturers usually mean when they mention different grades of cells.
A cell = no defects, full power output
B cell = visually noticible defects, full output
C cell = less than full output
FYI- Maybe 20% of cells manufactured test out as A grade. If that. So most of the cheap panels you are buying contain B or C grade cells. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. What I'm saying is, there *is* a difference.
As far as Zamp is concerned, they make top quality stuff. It may or may not be worth the extra money in your particular instance. They are an American-owned company who designs and builds all of their modules in Bend, Oregon. They even source their glass and aluminum frames from American companies as well. For some people, that makes the additional cost worthwhile. No, I don't work for them. Just my personal observations.
Some people say expensive tires are not worth it. They buy the cheap no-name ones. "They are all round, and black, and they hold air just fine. What's the difference?" Yet Michelin and Goodyear are still leading brands, despite being twice the price of the cheaper competition. Again, just my personal observations.
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This came back from the dead. We still sell Zamp and let's say in 2018 something came up with Zamps MAP pricing between the same product from two different sources and Zamp said one source had A cells while the other source had B cells. Nothing is indicated on a panel what 'class' the cells are so no way to tell if the reason was complete bs or not. Up until that time Zamp claimed they only used A cells.
Rest for the Nov 6, 2019 message stands as is.
Rest for the Nov 6, 2019 message stands as is.
