Re: 2001 U320 solar conductor routing
Reply #5 –
A lot depends on the wire size you need to bring down. I installed 1600W of solar and used series/parallel connection, which allowed me to bring down four 10 gauge wires, two for each bank of four panels. I used an existing hole in the roof on the driver's side that was for a satellite dish that was no longer used. The hole had to be enlarged to about 1/2" or maybe slightly more, and then I mounted this cable entry device over the hole:
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I made sure to use plenty of silicone around the wires where they went through the roof so they will not move or rub. I mounted the cable entry device with 3M VHB tape and sealed it with 3M 4000 adhesive sealant. The wires come down in the space between the front cabinets and the exterior wall of the motorhome. From there I ran them down along the front window pillar, where some existing wires were run, to below the dash and then out to the underside of the coach, where I was able to add them to the existing wire bundle that runs toward the back, and then branched them into the battery and electrical compartments. If I had to do it again, I would not run them down the window pillar; the space is very tight and it was difficult to get all the trim back in place. In my coach the cabinet on the side wall above the driver's seat has cables that run through it under a false bottom and then into a vertical wooden cover where the thermostat and slide controls are mounted. Cables run down behind that cover to the underside of the coach; I thought running them down the pillar would be easier, but in retrospect this second method would have been better.
Your coach may not be set up quite the same, but I am sure you can find some way of running them down on the driver's side if you look hard. Don't be afraid to make a small hole in the roof for cable entry if you need to and one is not already there, as was the case with our coach. There are lots of much larger holes already on the roof; as long as you seal it well you should not have a problem. If you decide to do something like what I have described, PM me and I will help any way I can. I wish I had taken pictures as I went along, but I was in a hurry to get it done.
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Topic: 2001 U320 solar conductor routing