Solar September 18, 2023, 05:04:15 pm I've decided to go with lithium and upgraded solar. I plan on replacing the two stock 100w panels with a couple of 200w panels. Probably go with a 40 or 60a controller and a couple of SOK batteries (maybe). Anyhow, I'm trying to figure the best place to punch through the roof or maybe use the frig opening. (LD went through the roof with theirs but I can't figure out how they routed the wires). Anyhow, I'm wondering other mid bath owners have routed their wiring from the panels to the controller. Thanks.jor 1 Likes
Re: Solar Reply #1 – September 18, 2023, 05:50:39 pm In the Mid-bath floorplan, with the batteries located under the fridge, I think it makes sense to run the solar wires down the fridge exhaust stack. That's what I did in mine. Inside the coach, if you remove the 6-8 screws in the paneling, you can remove the back of the storage area under the fridge and access the back/top of the battery compartment. I put my charge controller in this area. Rich 1 Likes
Re: Solar Reply #2 – September 18, 2023, 07:51:07 pm JorI traced the solar panel wire run in my 2019 MB. The roof penetration is above the upper cabinet/stove hood. The wires then run along the wall, behind the microwave and into a wire chase within the upper cabinet (between the lower and upper part of this cabinet) above the sink. The wire enters another double walled compartment to which the solar charge controller is mounted. The run from the charge controller to the battery box is more challenging, however as it runs down through the outer wall and is hence difficult to access. I’m not sure if your coach is wired in the same way as mine, so YMMV. If it were me, I think I’d try and run new, heavier wire (original wire on mine is 10 AWG and I’d want 8 or even 6 AWG depending on panel output), from the roof to the charge controller but use the original wire (which seemed to be of sufficient gauge), from the controller to the battery. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do. -Warren
Re: Solar Reply #3 – September 20, 2023, 01:48:36 pm Another seldom-used path from the upper cabinet to the low cabinets is the vent pipe in the corner of the kitchen countertop. I drill a hole in the pipe inside the upper cabinet and another hole inside the lower cabinet and then fish the upgraded wire(s) down the pipe and out, sealing the holes with blobs of polyurethane sealant. Works great and can save a lot of time and effort..Larry 1 Likes
Re: Solar Reply #4 – September 21, 2023, 01:01:30 pm I did that in my midbath, but it did not go well. That pipe is the black tank vent pipe. I thought I had used plenty of sealant, but a few years down the road I started having increasingly bad sewer smells. They were initially noticeable in the bathroom, which led me astray, but then I realized that they were even stronger in the cabinet under the sink. After a lot of head scratching and nose holding, a friend finally pinpointed the source as the hole in the vent pipe (which I had completely forgotten about by then). Fixing it was not fun.Better to run your wires down the outside of that pipe, on the back side where they won't be visible. 1 Likes
Re: Solar Reply #5 – September 21, 2023, 03:40:15 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - September 21, 2023, 01:01:30 pmI did that in my midbath, but it did not go well. Better to run your wires down the outside of that pipe, on the back side where they won't be visible.Running wires outside require drilling a hole in the countertop that would need sealing..The wire(s) running through the vent pipe were tapped in place before sealing, never had a comeback. I have also run wires down the side of the refrigerator compartment, making sure to stay away from the chimney.Whatever works for you, there are many ways of doing it.Larry
Re: Solar Reply #6 – September 21, 2023, 03:50:18 pm I ran my solar on the roof, into the side of the refrigerator (Jbox) and down the side of the boiler tube, but as far away as possible. My batteries were under and forward of the refrigerator, a perfect location.Same as a midbath but the MB is driver side. RonB
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