Community Forums

Rob321 · 12-02-2022, 09:41 AM

2022 BS 3014 with the factory solar prep. I have followed the 6ga solar wire from the passenger side front compartment (inverter & coverter charger compartment) to the front of the rig past the radiator over the chassis battery and then it runs up inside passenger side of the front cap to the roof.

On the roof there at three plates where the wire could terminate. I called Newmar and they could not tell me which one I should open to find the wire.

One plate is on the passernger side above the front seat, which also has a small Sirrus/XM antenna next to it.

Another plate is on the drivers side just forward of the front air conditioner and just forward of the 10w battery maintainer solar panel.

The third plate is on the drivers side between the two air conditioners.

Can anyone tell me which plate the solar wire is hiding under?

Bobby Dowdle · 12-02-2022, 10:00 AM

I would try the middle one. Not the one with the xm antenna or the other solar panel. When you remove the cover, there is probably no hole there either.

10 fan · 12-03-2022, 09:28 AM

On my metal plates you could barely make out what they marked with a sharpie. Some have removed a ceiling light and used a camera to look for them in the insulation.

Rob321 · 12-04-2022, 03:59 PM

I tried using a borescope to look through a ceiling light hole, but could not get very far through the insulation. No luck finding the wire. The light is pressed in a round hole about 4" in diameter not much room to manuever.

tomato · 12-04-2022, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob321

I tried using a borescope to look through a ceiling light hole, but could not get very far through the insulation. No luck finding the wire. The light is pressed in a round hole about 4" in diameter not much room to manuever.

I've been following your thread, as we have the solar prep package as well. I am just shaking my head now, as I am sure you are. Thanks, Newmar. Pay extra for the package and then figure out where everything is on your own...

Rescar · 12-04-2022, 07:20 PM

My 2018 Bay Star solar prep terminal is under a flat plate located on the roof above the master a/c circuit breaker panel (located in the bathroom of my 3414). Hope this helps!

Rob321 · 12-05-2022, 05:12 PM

I sent an online customer service request to Newmar over the weekend. I got a nice response today with a photo attachment of the roof area showing the location for the solar prep & sat prep. Only problem was the roof was not of a Bay Star 3014. It looked like the top of a diesel pusher.

So I called CS again and finally got someone who sounded like he was familiar with the Bay Stars. He told me for my model the solar wire should be under the front plate on the drivers side. He also said that the wire might be hard to find under the roof and will have to be fished out some how.

I hope to pull up that plate this week and will post back here on what I find (or don't find).

eblues · 12-06-2022, 11:22 PM

FWIW, I have a 21 Baystar 3226 that has a solar prep plate on the passenger side near the front of the rear ac unit. It was marked with a sharpie but the marking has completely faded with time. There's also plates associated with XM (drivers) and Wifi Ranger (passenger) at the front. Theres another plate & small solar panel on the drivers side of the front ac unit. The plate was marked sat prep.

I think its common to have to fish around a bit to find the solar prep cables. Good luck.

Rob321 · 12-10-2022, 10:54 AM

Well, I went ahead & pulled the front plate, driver's side, as I was told to by 3 different Newmar customer service reps. After I got the caulk and plate off I could feel a hole under the Brite Tec roof covering. I thought I found the solar wire only to be disappointed when it was not there. What I did find was a conduit opening and a single gray coax cable. This was the satellite pep NOT the solar.

Next I started looking for the wire again near the rear plate. After removing 3 ceiling lights I finally found the red & white wire I was looking for in the bathroom light hole. I felt pretty confident the rear plate was the solar prep. I removed the plate, but no hole. I took a chance & drilled a 2" hole through the roof & the wires were there.

Information I received from Newmar was incorrect & out dated, beware of what they tell you, trust but verify.

tomato · 12-10-2022, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob321

Well, I went ahead & pulled the front plate, driver's side, as I was told to by 3 different Newmar customer service reps. After I got the caulk and plate off I could feel a hole under the Brite Tec roof covering. I thought I found the solar wire only to be disappointed when it was not there. What I did find was a conduit opening and a single gray coax cable. This was the satellite pep NOT the solar.

Next I started looking for the wire again near the rear plate. After removing 3 ceiling lights I finally found the red & white wire I was looking for in the bathroom light hole. I felt pretty confident the rear plate was the solar prep. I removed the plate, but no hole. I took a chance & drilled a 2" hole through the roof & the wires were there.

Information I received from Newmar was incorrect & out dated, beware of what they tell you, trust but verify.

Appreciate the update. Disappointing for sure, but glad you found them.

pvcampbell · 12-12-2022, 07:37 AM

I went through this same proccess when I installed solar panels on my Ventana. I had only two plates (one for satellite and one for solar). After trying several times, my brand specialist finally got production to send me a detailed layout of the roof, which identified the two plates, but by then I had already removed the wrong one first.

In the same time it takes their production to write on the plate with a "'permanent" maker (which survives about 3 months in the sun), they could use an engraving pen or something that is actually permanent to solve this problem. They must get 5 calls a week on this question.

TzChris · 12-12-2022, 05:20 PM

Just found mine on my 2019 Newmar Canyon Star, there was a small plate screwed to roof behind the middle vent for the half bath. I took the inner vent shroud out from the inside and it was right under the insulation, glad I found it before I drilled the hole on the roof. I actually thought there would be a hole under the plate on roof with the wires zip tied or something right there but there wasnt even a hole on the roof under the plate?
Now I need to find the other end, nobody has discussed where the other end should be?

BnB · 12-27-2022, 08:02 AM

I’ve purchased the same model as yours and whether willing we’ll pick it up soon. Mine also has the solar prep. Can you describe the location you found that access at, or a photo is nice too ��….. thanks in advance!