Pros/Cons Running Solar Cable Outside Trailer

[Huck]

My plan was to have the solar panel cables come through the roof to connect to the charge controller, then exit through the floor with battery cables to connect to battery.

So I'm thinking why not just run the solar cables down the front of the trailer, mount a box for the charge controller somewhere close to the battery, and then have just 3' of cable to the battery. I plan on having 2 y cables that will allow me to connect a portable solar panel if I choose to. I could locate the y cables in the box so they would be easily accessible.

Outside of appearance, is there any reason not to run the cables outside?

Any ideas on how to make it look pretty? If the cables were white, I might not even worry about it.

[The Minimalist]

I did in that way for a couple of years. It works, but you're right. It ain't pretty. I'm in the process of rewiring as soon as I finish building my amp/volt monitor.

[Borrego Dave]

Huck, wire it up like you are thinking, white sounds good. See how it all works for you cuz you can always change it later like Clif is doing. After a year or so the tech will change and you'll be thinking of another setup I'm betting . The mods never end.......

[tractors1]

Easiest route down from the roof is usually down the reefer vent.

Charlie Y

[deryk]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Easiest route down from the roof is usually down the reefer vent.

Charlie Y

Great Idea, but ParkLiner doesn't have a vent on the roof for the fridge. Possibly could snake it down the vent for the water tank... but would be a longer cable run. I ran mine through the roof in the front bathroom...so if it ever did leak through the marine cable fitting it would drip into the shower.

[MCDenny]

Lowes sells a flat plastic conduit for routing computer wires. Two 10ga wires fit inside. Looks better than the naked wire.


Denny Wolfe
Wanderingourway.wordpress.com

[Timber Wolf]

I like deyrk's plan of coming down in the shower, it is in the right spot in my Scamp anyway. I also wonder about running a 1/2" white pvc water pipe down the front of the trailer. Not ideal but prettier than bare wires and certainly provides the wires adequte protection. Don't know how to mount the pipe though.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Timber Wolf

I like deyrk's plan of coming down in the shower, it is in the right spot in my Scamp anyway. I also wonder about running a 1/2" white pvc water pipe down the front of the trailer. Not ideal but prettier than bare wires and certainly provides the wires adequte protection. Don't know how to mount the pipe though.

I've been staring and measuring for the last couple of days. I think on the Parkliner, you almost have to go through the shower unless you run the cables through the vent.



Looking at the picture, you can see that to get to either side, you have to run the cables up over the ridge. And it's not high enough to run the cables through it sideways using a waterproof mount. I guess you could use grommets and drill a couple of holes and seal real good. Since it's on a vertical surface, it probably wouldn't leak as easily as the flat areas.

The flat area in front of the panel is the area over the shower.

[Mike Magee]

I would keep the wires outside. The short run from controller to battery is advantageous in minimizing power losses anyway.

Personally, I kept my panel portable and set it on the ground when camping. Easy as it gets.

[The Minimalist]

Originally Posted by MCDenny

Lowes sells a flat plastic conduit for routing computer wires. Two 10ga wires fit inside. Looks better than the naked wire.


Denny Wolfe
Wanderingourway.wordpress.com

I would be concerned about UV deterioration.

[deryk]

The fitting I used on mine going through my roof was designed for fiberglass boats so I'm pretty confident it will keep the water out.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...lar-64512.html

[Huck]

Originally Posted by deryk

The fitting I used on mine going through my roof was designed for fiberglass boats so I'm pretty confident it will keep the water out.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...lar-64512.html

I was saying that if I wanted to go in through the closet instead of the bathroom, I would have to either go through the vertical piece or run the cable up to the higher part of the roof. If I went through the vertical, I don't think there is enough room for the type fitting you used. That's why I was saying maybe grommets and then sealing.