2015 Solar Pre-wire Access Point

[Texas 4369]

I would like to use the rear solar prep access point on my 2015 Ventana 4369 to run the cable bundle for a cell antenna into the coach. Maybe into the half bath near fuse box? Has anyone done this and is there room next to the solar prep wire conduit? Is there an easier way without drilling additional holes in the roof?

[Dutch Star Don]

I'm not sure there is conduit in there. On my two Dutch Stars, I never saw conduit, just a lot of excess wire left loose in the ceiling. I never saw any conduit in the bay where it exited either.

Maybe someone has seen or used it, but I never saw any.

[richpatty]

In my 2017 the solar prep was not run through a conduit…they just run the wires from the roof to the basement.

The only other way I have heard people run cables down is via the vent pipes…

[Texas 4369]

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like there isn't any conduit so I would just need to cut a hole in interior ceiling near the access plate? Do the roof tresses block me from fishing the wires forward to the half bath? Since I have the access point on roof I would like to use it but would like lhe exit inside to be out of site.

[richpatty]

If you cut into the roof at the solar prep point (Newmar does not leave a hole under the plate - you have to cut it) you will only see the wires (hopefully) and insulation. I don’t see how you could fish any wires down front there. If you are using it for solar, it’s great ( as I have) but I can’t see how you can use that access point for much else….

If you want to cut a whole straight up or down to run your wires, I would do it from where you want and ignore the solar prep location.

Hope this helps
Rich

[Dutch Star Don]

Texas 4369......Drop the Fantastic fan cover in the kitchen and you can see into the roof. On my 2019 DS, I dropped the framework on the fan and was able to see that the solar wiring was coiled up in the ceiling. You may be able to drop the fan in the 1/2 bath and see/make a path.

[Texas 4369]

Thanks. Any tips on the fantastic fan removal or is it obvious?

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by Texas 4369

Thanks. Any tips on the fantastic fan removal or is it obvious?

You just need to drop the interior shroud, four screws. It's just a cosmetic cover. Once removed, you can see inside the roof cavity. You may be able to fish the wires to the bath 1/2 bath fan. If you can get them that far, fish them over, above the wall cabinet with all the circuit breakers and fuses, drill a hole and bring them down inside the 1/2 bath cabinet.

[Texas 4369]

Thanks Don. Pulled the fan shroud down and can only go under insulation side to side. The metal structure runs as far as I can reach on both sides of the fan. looks like Rich has the solution of cutting the hole in roof where I need it and forget the solar prep location. Just hard to get myself to drill the hole.

[richpatty]

Originally Posted by Texas 4369

Just hard to get myself to drill the hole.

Yea, I understand that… measure many times before drilling! :-D