Solar cable run - access?

[flying banana]

I get that people are baffled by my plan! For me putting cables through the boot door seal is a bit like putting the garden hose on the kitchen tap through a window. I may end up doing that but I think this picture is a far more elegant solution and looks more OEM.View attachment 128618

it doesn't go through the boot door seal. anyway good luck with the install.looks good

 

[JuanVecino2023]

Hi - think the best route is to make a tiny hole (with grommet) at the top of the pop top fabric, the entry hole is protected by a slight overhang of the roof. Then follow the same route as the LED cable - then through the grommet. Threading through to the wardrobe area is not so easy but possible, there are no hidden barriers. This, i think, makes the neatest installation. No drilling holes in the roof, just a tiny hole in the fabric.

I suppose if you used a heated bit to puncture the fabric, you would get a neat hole, and self seal so it wouldn’t unravel any further.

Disadvantage is, no go if your van is under warranty and potentially develops leaky bellows.

Wouldn’t the cable get trapped under the roof though when down? And could this distort the aluminium?

I may not be envisaging your idea correctly.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

it doesn't go through the boot door seal. anyway good luck with the install.looks good

That’s why I sent my pic (which was slammed); to show it routes neatly through the rubber boot for other cables.

 

[dspuk]

In time I may do the same. That said it’s a pricey upgrade for something that is more function than form. I don’t often look at the roof!

Same thought, but it is such a nice looking carrier!

 

[capt kirk]

I've nothing against drilling a small protected hole in the roof to get an OEM looking solution. I will use a marine grommet which is very discrete.

Does anyone know how to access inside this part of the rear trim?

View attachment 128605

When i did mine i didnt touch that panel. i followed the same path as you through the roof and down the folding point and ythen drilled a hole above the wordrobe and fitted a grommet, and then staight down into the wardrobe. All good and its been fine for about three years now.

 

[BenCar]

When i did mine i didnt touch that panel. i followed the same path as you through the roof and down the folding point and ythen drilled a hole above the wordrobe and fitted a grommet, and then staight down into the wardrobe. All good and its been fine for about three years now.

Interesting. Do you mean at the foot of the upstairs bed? Where in this pic?
thx
b

 

[capt kirk]

Interesting. Do you mean at the foot of the upstairs bed? Where in this pic?
thx
b
View attachment 128765

Im going to have to check cos i cant remember exactly how i did it, but i will get back to you.

 

[WEHILL@SONS]

I suppose if you used a heated bit to puncture the fabric, you would get a neat hole, and self seal so it wouldn’t unravel any further.

Disadvantage is, no go if your van is under warranty and potentially develops leaky bellows.

Wouldn’t the cable get trapped under the roof though when down? And could this distort the aluminium?

I may not be envisaging your idea correctly.

The hole is at the top of the fabric and is protected by the overhang of the ‘eaves’. The thin cable doesn't snag as the roof isn’t a complete seal anyway….

 

[JuanVecino2023]

The hole is at the top of the fabric and is protected by the overhang of the ‘eaves’. The thin cable doesn't snag as the roof isn’t a complete seal anyway….

Thanks, I get where you’re intending now

 

[Ian Reynolds]

As per some of the others the MPPT is mounted by the top shelf them the cable runs down the left of the shelfs and along behind the wardrobe and down to the leisure battery. And a monitor panel on the right side of the wardrobe door facing forward.

 

[ALFIrE]

 

[BenCar]

Bingo!
Thanks Alfie, that's exactly what I needed to see. Thats a great installation and very discrete.

• Is your panel just bolted onto the plate or have you bonded it with adhesive too?
• Do you have the panel connectors in the bellow pocket or at the top of the wardrobe? I think my panel cables are too short to get down there.

Thanks
Ben

View attachment 128822

View attachment 128823

View attachment 128824

 

[ALFIrE]

It's a bosswerk neptun 130wh panel, on a vagabunde plate.
In between is black channeled plastic.
Both glued with a product similar to sikaflex.
No connector needed, panel came with a long cable, 2 or 2.5 meters.
Victron in the upper cabinet.
Cable invisible inside
Scanstrut cable mount, high Quality.
All diy, around 420 euro Total.
Used 4mm2 solar cable to battery.
Inline fuses 15A

 

[capt kirk]

Im going to have to check cos i cant remember exactly how i did it, but i will get back to you.

exactly as youve got with the brown and blue wires.

 

[jaydisc]

Looks great @ALFIrE! Is there anything between the aluminium plate and the roof? Does the plate flex at all and make contact with the roof?

Also, what is between the solar panel and plate? Is that corrugated cardboard?

 

[WEHILL@SONS]

Oh my goodness-you’ve drilled a hole on the roof! Good luck with that in the coming years.