Quote:
Originally Posted by boywonder
I fabricated a custom bulkhead and penetrated the PH top outside the canvas then fed the solar wires between the canvas and the underside of the top to bring them inside.
That way if the penetration leaks the leak is outside the canvas.....I've had zero issues and it's been a couple years.
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I have done it this way on 3 or 4 PH vans. Definitely don't drill a hold through your top inside the canvas. I may have pics in one of my threads but there are hundreds. You could wade through my galleries if you like.
Basically, drill a hole anywhere you like OUTSIDE of the canvas and route it through to the interior between canvas and roof by unscrewing a few of the screws in any top corner. Drop your solar cable down and hide under the upholstery running the wire down in to the van wall. All of the interior pieces around a PH top hiding the springs and lifting mechanism can be easily removed by popping the upholstered snap covers (or black plastic covers) off the screws. You'll probably have to pull some glued upholstery pieces loose too. Just reglue with 3m spray glue when you're ready to go back together. You can remove the front and rear bows (cross pieces) and the black metal latch keepers with a 10mm wrench and socket IIRC.
I zip tie my solar cables to the existing power wires for the interior lights in one corner, seems like it's either the front left or rear right corner IIRC. Tying them to existing wiring helps train them to fold like the existing wiring already does when top is dropped. Never had a problem.
Also, it's easy to drop your cables down behind a wall or run them behind upholstery to wherever you have mount your solar controller once the PH upholstery pieces are moved out of the way. You'll see lots of possibilities.