Will OptiMate Lithium 4s Smart Battery Charger MA47JR Connect To Zamp Port On 2016 Casita Trailer?

Question:

Looking at OptiMate Lithium 4s Smart Battery Charger - AC to DC - 12V - 0.8 Amps. I plan to use it with the BattleBorn LifePO4 100AH in my 2016 Casita Trailer. My Casita has a Zamp port which I use with a portable Zamp solar panel. Can I plug the Optimate into the Zamp port? Note that I park my trailer in my garage when Im not camping. Thats why I cant use my solar panel for charging/maintaining off-season. Also note that my factory Casita shore-power charger does not have a lithium profile option.

asked by: Al S

Expert Reply:

Hello Al, thanks for reaching out. The OptiMate Lithium 4s Smart Battery Charger # MA47JR can indeed be used with the Zamp port on your Casita Trailer. You will just want to be sure your zamp is wires correctly for this charger. Zamp likes to wire their plugs backwards so as long as the polarity matches you can use the charger without issue.

If your current shore power charger is not lithium compatible it will need to be upgraded. Let me know the model number of your current unit and I am happy to make a recommendation.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Al S.

12/17/2024

Thanks, Jesse. My 2016 Casita has a Paralax power supply, Electronic 7100 Series. It provides charging at 13.6 volts, hard-wired, that is, it has no setting for lithium. But wouldn't the OptiMate portable be less than half the price of swapping out the charger in the Paralax? I'm thinking that would cost $350 just for the part vs. $130 for the OptiMate. --Al

Jesse M.

12/19/2024

@AlS Yes it does cost less but you would not be able to charge your batteries from shore power without swapping the converter. The OptMate charger can technically be used instead but upgrading your converter is recommended.

Al S.

12/22/2024

@JesseM It's a Paralax 7100 Series (as I said above) and the model number is 7155. The specs also say Intertek 116457 and 55 amps. There's a barcode in the cabinet that says "F15510074". Maybe that's a serial number. Is that enough or should I send you the pictures I took with my phone? Thanks. --Al

Jesse M.

12/23/2024

@AlS We do offer a lithium compatible replacement for the Parallax 7155. Take a look at the following: - Progressive Dynamics Replacement Section for AC/DC Power Distribution Panel - 55 Amp # PD4655V