Solar wires routing

[Presidio]

I am installing 4 panels on the roof (rear section) and wondering if I can run the wires from the combiner box through the grey water vent pipe down to the charge controller? Was thinking to drill a hole about 10" above the tank to pull the wires out of the pipe and seal the area.

It is the best location to minimize the run to the battery.

Any comments?

[steppinstone]

The po of my coach ran the wire's down the refrigerate vent ? I don't think I would want to touch the gray tank piping just saying.

[Presidio]

I have a residential fridge so no roof vent. Also, way too far forward and on the wrong side of the roof...

[BillJinOR]

I drilled an actual hole above the rear closet. I used a combiner box sealed to the roof. Drop through the closet controllers mounted in the closet and a almost direct drop through the closet floor to the battery bay
Drilling a actual hole with proper sealant dicor and sikaflex absolutely no leaks . Lots of holes on the roof and one more in a correct place for the shortest drop as long as sealed isn’t a big deal in my mind.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by steppinstone

The po of my coach ran the wire's down the refrigerate vent ? I don't think I would want to touch the gray tank piping just saying.

That's the way mine were run also!

[steppinstone]

Maybe you could take the cap off the exhaust pipe for the gray tank and run it down along side the gray pipe the opening hole on the roof should have some room. or just drill a hole close to the pipe and run the wire. If you go to a marine supply store they should have some kind of cover that you could cover the hole. I have purchased some for my boat for cables coming off the transom for depth finder, fish finder, cables ect. and just seal it good with self leveling chalking just a thought.

[Presidio]

Originally Posted by BillJinOR

I drilled an actual hole above the rear closet. I used a combiner box sealed to the roof. Drop through the closet controllers mounted in the closet and a almost direct drop through the closet floor to the battery bay
Drilling a actual hole with proper sealant dicor and sikaflex absolutely no leaks . Lots of holes on the roof and one more in a correct place for the shortest drop as long as sealed isn’t a big deal in my mind.

Did you drill it from the inside out? How did you know where it will end up, or there there are no wires in the ceiling?

[steppinstone]

Originally Posted by Presidio

Did you drill it from the inside out? How did you know where it will end up, or there there are no wires in the ceiling?

your wire's are most likely running along the edge where the roof and the side wall meet just cross your fingers and say a hail mary if you decide to drill up from closet don't go straight up go at an angle

[Presidio]

Originally Posted by steppinstone

your wire's are most likely running along the edge where the roof and the side wall meet just cross your fingers and say a hail mary if you decide to drill up from closet don't go straight up go at an angle

Thanks. Why at an angle??

[twinboat]

I drilled thru the mound of goo, that was sealing the gray vent pipe to the roof. I pushed the wires down and found them at the bottom. Then I gooed the hole back up around the wire.

[BillJinOR]

Originally Posted by Presidio

Did you drill it from the inside out? How did you know where it will end up, or there there are no wires in the ceiling?

Well, I measured and drilled in a area that I was fairly confident no wires and I knew where it would come up within a inch or two I drilled a small pilot hole in the ceiling then a larger hole to expose the insulation. I the finished the pilot hole to the roof then going on the roof drilling down the final size hole for the number of wires I was installing plus a little extra.
By removing the ceiling hole I could determine there were no wires in the "attic" space. It's in the closet so no visibility of the hole.