PRODUCT DETAILS
The Zamp Solar OBSIDIAN® Series 45W Portable Kit charges a Dometic PLB40 portable power station from the sun: a 2-inch-thin 45W panel with an integrated stand and carry case, a 15 ft extension cable and the ATP-to-PLB40 adapter. It adds about 2A in full sun — 10–12Ah on a typical day — which offsets most of what a Dometic CFX cooler draws and keeps the PLB40 topped on multi-day trips. Handcrafted in Bend, Oregon; 25-year panel output warranty and a North American support team. Zamp Solar and Go Power! are both part of Dometic.
Half the thickness, all the toughness
OBSIDIAN® panels are 50% slimmer than conventional folding kits and weigh 12.5 lb, so they slide behind a seat or into a van drawer. The tactical carry case unfolds into an adjustable stand, and a padded pocket holds the cable and adapter. All-weather ATP plugs make it scalable: add other OBSIDIAN® portable panels later.
Unregulated — read before buying
This kit has no charge controller because the PLB40 regulates its own solar input. Use it with the PLB40 or with a system that already has a controller; never connect it directly to a battery.
FEATURES
- 45W OBSIDIAN® Series panel — patented 2-inch low-profile design, made in USA.
- Dometic PLB40 adapter (ATP to PLB40) and 15 ft ATP-ATP extension cable included.
- ≈ 2.4A in full sun, ≈ 11Ah per day — offsets a CFX cooler's draw.
- Integrated carry case doubles as an adjustable stand; padded accessory pocket.
- All-weather ATP plugs for expansion with other OBSIDIAN® portables.
- 12.5 lb, 32 × 15.5 × 2 in.
- Unregulated — for the PLB40 or systems with their own controller.
- 25-year panel output warranty; Dometic PLB40 not included.
WHAT IT RUNS
What 45W of solar puts back each day: about 0.14 kWh, or ≈ 11Ah into the PLB40 on a typical day (4.5 peak-sun hours at ~70% of nameplate), ≈ 14Ah with the stand angled at the sun. The PLB40 holds 40Ah at 12V. Here is how that plays out with a Dometic CFX cooler:
| Scenario | Cooler draw | PLB40 + this panel |
|---|---|---|
| CFX3 25–35 in mild weather (fridge mode) | ≈ 10–15Ah/day | Runs indefinitely in sun; PLB40 stays near full |
| CFX3 45–55 on a warm day (fridge mode) | ≈ 20–30Ah/day | Panel covers about half; PLB40 lasts 3–4 days instead of 1.5–2 |
| CFX3 in freezer mode, hot weather | ≈ 35–45Ah/day | Panel adds about a day; plan on vehicle charging while driving |
| Phones, camera batteries, lights only | ≈ 5–10Ah/day | Covered daily with surplus |
Tip: the PLB40 also charges from a 12V socket while driving, so solar plus a few hours on the road keeps a cooler cold for a week.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Kit SKU | USP3001 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Zamp Solar (part of Dometic) |
| Panel Wattage | 45 W |
| Output Current | 2.37 A |
| Open-Circuit Voltage | 24.35 V |
| Typical Daily Harvest | ≈ 0.14 kWh / 11 Ah |
| Charge Controller | None (unregulated) — PLB40 regulates input |
| Included | OBSIDIAN® 45W panel, ATP to Dometic PLB40 adapter, 15 ft ATP-ATP extension cable, carry case/stand |
| Dimensions | 32 × 15.5 × 2 in |
| Weight | 12.5 lb |
| Origin | Made in USA (Bend, Oregon) |
| Warranty | 25 years panel power output |
COMPARE MODELS
| Kit | Panel | Controller | Typical daily harvest* | Runs | Expandable | Warranty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90W Portable Kit (GP-PSK-90) | 90W | 10A PWM built-in | ≈ 22Ah | Top up a battery, run lights & fans | — | 25 yr panel / 3 yr controller | Weekend trips, no installation |
| DuraLite 100W Kit | 100W | 30A PWM built-in, lithium | ≈ 25Ah | Keep a 100Ah battery topped | Yes — to 300W | 2 yr | Lightest kit; plugs into Zamp Solar Ready ports |
| DuraLite 100W Expansion | 100W | Uses kit controller | + ≈ 25Ah | Adds a battery-day of charge | Chain up to 3 | 2 yr | Grow a DuraLite kit or feed a power station |
| DuraLite 200W Kit | 200W | 30A PWM built-in, lithium | ≈ 49Ah | 12V fridge on an average day | Yes — to 300W | 2 yr | Most popular portable size for fridge users |
| DuraLite 300W Kit | 300W | 30A PWM built-in, lithium | ≈ 74Ah | Fridge, lights, fans, device charging | Max | 2 yr | Largest portable output without roof panels |
| OBSIDIAN® 45W PLB40 Kit (this kit) | 45W | None (unregulated) | ≈ 11Ah | Trickle-charge a Dometic PLB40 | — | 25 yr panel | Keep a PLB40 + CFX cooler running |
*Daily harvest assumes 4.5 peak-sun hours at about 70% of nameplate on a flat-mounted panel, at 12.8V. Tilting a panel toward the sun adds 20–30% in spring and fall.
MANUALS, SAFETY INFORMATION AND DOWNLOADS
ACCESSORIES
FAQ
How fast does it charge a PLB40?
About 2A in full sun, 10–12Ah over a typical day — roughly a quarter to a third of the PLB40's 40Ah capacity. It is designed to offset a cooler's draw and extend run time, not to fast-charge from empty.
Can I use it with something other than a PLB40?
Yes, with any system that has its own solar charge controller, using the ATP connectors. Do not connect it directly to a battery; it has no regulator.
Is the PLB40 included?
No. The kit is the panel, adapter and cable.
Can I leave it out in the rain?
OBSIDIAN® panels and ATP connectors are all-weather, so a shower is fine. Store the panel dry in its case between trips.
Can I add more panels?
Yes. The all-weather ATP plugs connect to other Zamp OBSIDIAN® portable panels. Keep the total within what the PLB40 or your controller accepts.
Is Zamp Solar still supported?
Yes. Zamp Solar and Go Power! are both part of Dometic, and genuine Zamp panels, controllers and cables are sold here with North American support.