Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-06-2010, 09:37 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 6
Solar panel installation

Hi everybody,
I'm new to the forum and I 've scanned it for the solar panel install.I can't seem to find info on the entire project... what I would like to know is, how is the wiring routed thru body & PH top? Also, where is the best location for the regulator? Any other info & pics would be appreciated. My rig is a 2003 e350,V10, EB50 interior, with a 4AGM battery. I hope I haven't made a mistake, but already purchased a 95W Go Power! panel & 25amp. regulator made by Carmanah Corp.
Thanks,Doug

doug47 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2010, 09:56 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
mjeffrey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 310
Re: Solar panel installation

Hi Doug,

I've written up part, but not all, of the installation here:

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=5040

I'm afraid I'm way behind on finishing it - kept thinking I'd be doing work on the van, and be able to take some photos of the wiring, but so far I haven't made it that far I'll plan on finishing the wiring write-up soon, and add photos when I have them.

Anyway, hope that helps! Feel free to ask questions.
Mike.
mjeffrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2010, 11:59 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Ford_6L_E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
Re: Solar panel installation

I ran the wire from the solar panel to the edge of the PH top (outside the flexible wall - hereafter called canvas) and through the top. That way, any leaks were outside the living spaces and not an issue. Then came the hard part - routing to the interior.

From the inside, I loosened the screws that hold the top and canvas together - be careful here, you don't want the screws to come out and have the wall separate from the top. I loosened the screws in one corner.

Note that you basically have 3 layers - fiberglass top, the canvas and the interior liner. From the outside, you want to route the wires over the canvas and under the fiberglass top. From the inside you need to route the wires over the liner and under the canvas.

I chose to route the wires about 1 foot from the corner, 1' towards the middle from the outside and 1' towards the front on the inside. To separate the liner from the canvas I stuck the housing from a ballpoint pen in there. Then, from the outside I pushed a piece of stiff, heavy wire (12ga building wire with the end bent over to make a smooth tip and lessen the chance of putting a hole in the canvas) towards the pen housing. Then go inside and check progress, repeat until the wire comes out where I wanted it. Eventually, I got it out. It could have been alot easier with two people, one on the inside and one on the outside, but I got it by myself.

Then I routed the wire down (similar to the SMB wiring for the 3rd brakelight) and under the SMB trim and up to my Solar Controller. All the interior wiring and routing will depend on your floorplan and where the controller is mounted.

My panel is a 125W Kyocera panel and I used 12ga 2 wire outdoor cord (SJOW or SOW or any other cord that ends in W for weatherproof). You may want to use lighter or heavier wire depending on your panel power.

Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
Ford_6L_E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2010, 11:05 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 6
Re: Solar panel installation

Great info. Thanks to both Mikes! OK, getting wires from the panel to the inside of the SMB sounds straight foward. Now I want to run the wires behind the support ( steel ) for the upper bed, then down into the valance and down the wall to the "power center?" aft of my doors on passenger side of SMB. I have an EB50 floor plan ( like a VW camper). There is a window aft of the doors and then a 3" space and then a shallow shelf/cab. I'll install controller in the valance...if I can get it off. I'm hoping that there will be room in that 3" space to run the wires to the power center under my seat/ bed. Does this make sense? Any suggestions?
Many thanks again, Doug
doug47 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:12 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.