Installing rooftop solar wire for campers NOT pre-wired

[Vic Harder]

Are there any folks that have tried this? Any tips would be appreciated

 

[ski3pin]

Here is what I did on our old FWC -

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/7978-wiring-a-fwc-or-atc-for-a-solar-panel-roof-mount/

 

[jimjxsn]

Vic,
I'm in the same boat with my Panther, I added solar panels last summer and am upgrading now. I haven't gotten the nerve up to punch the hole in the roof. I did a search last summer and saw ski's description.

I mount my awning to 1x2 aluminum rectangular tubing attached to the jack brackets. Last summer I ran the solar wiring through that tubing and down to the battery area. But am thinking of doing a more permanent solution.

I had ATC install a cabinet in the right rear corner of the camper. I am thinking of running the wires behind the rear lift panel then down into that cabinet.

I will be following for any new insight.

 

[ntsqd]

I used a weatherproof J box sealed to the roof with 5200 where I pierced the roof on the last camper. Since then these have been mentioned here:
https://www.amazon.com/Link-Solar-Weatherproof-Project-Campervan/dp/B0111RNZDY/

In looking for those I stumbled onto this:
https://www.amazon.com/Cutting-Edge-Power-Weatherproof-Connectors/dp/B07MMWKR29
I must admit to liking the idea, but being underwhelmed by the poor quality of the printed part.

I used a rigid panel on the last camper and I mounted it slightly sloped, low at the front when the camper is level. I used a hole saw on the frame at the high end so that the hot air right under the panel could escape thru those holes. Venting the hot air out from under the panel is a simple way to boost its performance.

 

[craig333]

I was more concerned with the wire getting snagged on a branch than being able to unplug it. I used a little marine cable guide. Used to be chrome. Sealed up with 3m 4000. A

A marine side entry cable gland like this would be even better. https://www.indexmarine.com/product/se6-side-entry-cable-gland-available-in-various-finishes-2/

Other than that it was pretty much the way Ski did his.

 

[Alley-Kat]

VIc, On your new panther, if it is still in the build stage by ATC, have Jeff & Marty NOT use staples on the interior wall panels at the bottom. I asked them to use the same screws they used on the sides and top of those interior wall panels. That allowed me to undo and completely remove the interior wall panels, so I could do my 12 VDC wiring, inside the walls with the same technique used by ATC; a drilled hole through the aluminium frame with a piece of plastic tubing through the drilled hole, then the wire through the plastic tubing. When you're all done, simply replace all the walls with the same screws. Makes for a very clean installation.