Best route for solar cable

Topic: Best route for solar cable (Read 1264 times) previous topic - next topic

Best route for solar cable

November 28, 2015, 05:15:24 pm

I installed a panel on the roof,or should I say taped it using 3M VHB tape. I've dropped the wire down the refrigerator vent . Thinking about drilling down to the cavity between the fridge and heater below.Then drilling a hole and feeding into the next compartment and another hole into the battery compartment. Anyone know whats in the space below the fridge above the heater? Is there a better route? I was considering mounting the controller in the compartment next to the electrical panel. Seems like a lot of trouble to put it anywhere inside the coach.

Thanks

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #1 – November 28, 2015, 05:58:34 pm

The space between the heater and the fridge is a cable chase, be careful where you drill.

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #2 – November 29, 2015, 12:04:34 am

Here is how I did ours in three photos. Drilled a hole above this compartment to the roof.

Pierce

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #3 – November 29, 2015, 09:48:09 am

Looks impressive. For now I wanted something to keep my batteries charged up while in storage. Eventually I may increase capacity if I do more off grid travel. Looks like most big systems go through the main panel? If I go directly to the battery do I need to bypass or disconnect when running the generator or hook up to external power?are there any good how to books that walk through one of these installations?
Thanks

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #4 – November 29, 2015, 10:58:30 am

Thanks! I use the breaker panel above the Midnite controller to disconnect the panels from the controller and the batteries from the controller. As you can see in the bus panel photo, I also added a fusible link to the system.

No, most books are out of date by the time they are printed. Go online and research the dozens of different sites available. You will find many success stories utilizing everything from golf cart batteries to the latest MPPT controllers. I studied for weeks before deciding which direction to head and then weeks searching for the best and least expensive solar panels, wiring, etc. Anyone can pay list price. Don't reinvent the wheel, just find the best tires, bearings, valve stems, etc.

As you can see, I tried to make the installation as sanitary as possible with additions like the Hardie Backerboard in the compartment behind the controller to keep the possibility of fire to a minimum.

Several neighbors had their solar systems installed professionally. None were done in a tidy manner and none worked correctly. With study and a little DIY ability, you can equal the companies that really do a quality installation and on a retiree's fixed income.

As an example, I was able to buy four commercial panels (1140 watts total), the best possible Midnite controller, $3000 worth of solar batteries, etc, etc and bring it online for just about $2000 total for everything. See one of the four panels before installation in the photo below.

I installer I bought the panels from ($160/ea) had just finished installing 80,000 of these in the Mojave with a few hundred left over.

Pierce

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #5 – November 30, 2015, 12:20:36 am

I brought my cables down the refrigerator vent and then immediately aft and into the forward closet on the curbside. A previous owner had installed a satellite dish on the roof and routed their cables that way so I simply followed their route. But a 240-watt panel now sits where their satellite antenna once sat. Interestingly enough, by wiring my panels in series the cabling is smaller than the cabling for the sat dish had been.

After watching Pierce do his install I changed a lot of my plans and bought the Midnite Solar Classic 150 (I donated a cheaper MPPT controller I had bought from Amazon to another RV owner). This gave me a lot more latitude in my installation plans.

That Midnite Solar breaker panel sits in the closet and the cabling passes through that and down into the subfloor, then forward into what had been the vacuum unit. Removal of that gave me a lot of room below the refrigerator to install two busbars (one for positive 12vdc and one for negative) that gathers all the devices that need more power at one place. Then much larger cables lead to the battery bank through fusible links.

The charge controller itself is mounted over the hole where the vacuum hose had once connected. My DW would not let me co-opt her pantry space.

Installing the solar panels in series adds the voltages together (adding them in parallel - which is the more common older way - adds the currents (amps)) which allows the use of much smaller cables to the solar controller. Current in my system is 8-amps.

Pierce's location near the Bay Area allowed him to find less expensive panels but I had to buy from a regular dealer. For anyone who has not yet done this, it's better to buy them all at once because you can match them and freight is far cheaper (freight is a big part of the panel costs).

I did not do that and I'll pay the piper when I add two more panels next year.

Even if they take the subsidies away, solar is worth it, I think. I love being able to camp at parks with no hookups just as comfortably as I do at parks with full hookups.

Craig

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #6 – November 30, 2015, 01:54:29 am

Craig,

Pertinent post. It's bad news for everyone with the tax deduction being eliminated but the only silver lining may be less expensive panels now that homeowners can't deduct the installation. Craigslist sellers may expand their territory next year also. Shipping can be really inexpensive if you are a company.

Pierce

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #7 – November 30, 2015, 08:17:21 am

Unless I missed something, solar tax credit is good through the end of 2016. Start planning your install ASAP.

Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Department of Energy

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #8 – November 30, 2015, 07:43:18 pm

We have Geo thermal heat in our home and took advantage of tax rebates. Can this deduction be made if one's not full timing?
If so, time to expand my plans. I'll need to look into series vs parallel. I do like the idea of being self sufficient with a more robust system. I also see I have a lot to learn about these systems.

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #9 – November 30, 2015, 08:41:18 pm

Quote from: goldbehen – November 30, 2015, 07:43:18 pm

Can this deduction be made if one's not full timing?

Disclaimer: I am not a tax lawyer. That said, the way it was explained to me (by a expert-level solar installation shop), the answer to your question is "Yes". In the eyes of the IRS, your coach is equivalent to a second home, or a vacation cottage. The amount of time you spend in it is totally irrelevant. But be sure to consult with qualified tax experts before you bet any money on my "educated" opinion.

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #10 – November 30, 2015, 10:23:19 pm

Good disclaimer. I'll consult my attorney who specializes in maritime and RV law.

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #11 – November 30, 2015, 11:35:22 pm

Our accountant is a former IRS agent. She had no trouble in deducting the cost of the installation. In the years since she retired from the IRS, she has only had two client audits.

Pierce

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #12 – December 01, 2015, 06:23:33 am

A tax benefit is always nice to get and one I'll take advantage of if still available.

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #13 – December 01, 2015, 09:21:30 pm

We have a coach similar to yours and 5 24v solar panels on the roof (held down with VHB tape for the last 6 years). I ran the wires from the panels across the roof to a combiner box right next to the fridge vent, and then the #8 wire down the vent. Drilled a hole through the bottom of the fridge compartment into the center compartment, and mounted the MPPT controller right next to the wire outlet, with the remote control panel inside next to the power monitor panel.. Haven't decided where I'll put the new controller when I upgrade to more panels though.

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #14 – December 01, 2015, 10:02:58 pm

What controller do you have ? Didn't know about the remote monitors.

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #15 – December 02, 2015, 01:13:09 am

Quote from: goldbehen – December 01, 2015, 10:02:58 pm

What controller do you have ? Didn't know about the remote monitors.

Check part way down the page on Midnite's site: MidNite Solar Inc. Renewable Energy System Electrical Components and E-Panels This is a local area application for Macs and PCs. Allows LAN or internet monitoring. See attached photo below.

Pierce

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #16 – December 02, 2015, 09:46:23 am

our system is similar to Daves except I run panel wires to combiner on roof now and then #2 wires down to Controller and breaker box in basement, then to battery bus bar and fuseable link. Gauges are on sides of kitchen drawer unit.
JohnH

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #17 – December 02, 2015, 09:55:41 am

Quote from: goldbehen – December 01, 2015, 10:02:58 pm

Didn't know about the remote monitors.

They put ours on the bedroom wall. Magnum RC50 inverter remote below, Blue Sky IPNPRO solar remote above. Wires from panels come through a pre-existing hole (from a old satellite dish) in the roof, into the closet, down the open space in the corner of the closet frame, under the floor, then up under the bed. The solar controllers are mounted in the space at the foot of the bed. Installation done at AM Solar in Springfield, OR. They have a pre-Christmas sale going - might have something of interest for those planning their future system. (Disclaimer: I have no direct financial connection with this company...although I DID make a sizable voluntary donation to the owner's retirement fund)

Welcome to AM Solar_Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #18 – December 02, 2015, 10:09:52 am

I used a combiner box on the Lazy Daze, now thinking of adding Solar to the FT....but one question. Do I need a combiner box withe the new panels (with MC4 connectors)? My old installation had j-boxes on the panels which you wired to, seems like with the MC4's you just plug everything together, no combiner box, then drop the #10 down to the controller. Is my thinking flawed ? I'll be using series wired panels.

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #19 – December 02, 2015, 10:31:23 am

Chuck,
Did they use any screws in the Solar Mounts or just 3M tape and Dicor?

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #20 – December 02, 2015, 10:51:08 am

Quote from: Doug W. – December 02, 2015, 10:31:23 am

Chuck,
Did they use any screws in the Solar Mounts or just 3M tape and Dicor?

No screws. They used high-tech adhesive of some kind (not sure what brand) under the mounting brackets, and Dicor "self leveling" around the foot of the brackets after they were stuck on. They claim they have never had a failure using this system.

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #21 – December 02, 2015, 11:20:12 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – December 02, 2015, 10:51:08 am

No screws. They used high-tech adhesive of some kind (not sure what brand) under the mounting brackets, and Dicor "self leveling" around the foot of the brackets after they were stuck on. They claim they have never had a failure using this system.

I see the solar mounts they sell on their website showing 3m tape attached so that's why I asked...

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #22 – December 02, 2015, 11:33:15 am

Doug,

Yes, you are correct and that is most likely what they used. They don't allow customers up on the roof during installation, so I didn't want to claim knowledge of something, when I didn't directly observe the operation. Whatever they use, it sticks real good!

Re: Best route for solar cable

Reply #23 – December 06, 2015, 02:30:21 am

Quote from: goldbehen – December 01, 2015, 10:02:58 pm

What controller do you have ? Didn't know about the remote monitors.

(Late reply...)

We have an early system from AM Solar which has a Heliotrope Solar Controller (not made any more), and has an excellent remote panel. We will probably upgrade soon, as I want to put another panel on the roof, and the Heliotrope controller is maxed out on current.

Affiliate Notice