|
09-07-2023, 11:10 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Erie
Posts: 13
|
Install new vent/fan in main room, avoid Solar wires
In our 2023 Cougar 24SABWE, there is about a 20" space on the roof between the solar panels and the air conditioner. We want to drill a 14" hole in that space and install a new Fantastic Vent Roof Fan (we will have to offset the fan to the left a little because there is a speaker right there). The solar panel wires dive right into the roof just forward of the solar panels.
My question:
Do the solar panel wires get routed off immediately to the left and then forward to the Victron solar controller in the front left of the passthrough? I hope so, because if they go directly forward, cutting a hole between the panels and the air conditioner would run right into them. Does anyone know how those wires run in the roof?
|
|
|
09-07-2023, 11:15 AM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,357
|
If there isn’t a fan or vent installed already, I would advise against drilling through the roof. There is 12V and 120V wiring along with possibly coax cable, speaker wire and thermostat wires.
If there isn’t a vent in place, you’re looking at cutting a 14X14 inch hole and framing it in.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
|
|
|
09-07-2023, 05:15 PM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,998
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
If there isn’t a fan or vent installed already, I would advise against drilling through the roof. There is 12V and 120V wiring along with possibly coax cable, speaker wire and thermostat wires.
If there isn’t a vent in place, you’re looking at cutting a 14X14 inch hole and framing it in.
|
And that doesn't include the roof structure, rafters, wall bracing (some of which provides necessary rigidity to keep the trailer walls from twisting and collapsing during towing) and the air conditioning ductwork that's "up there".....
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
|
|
|
09-07-2023, 06:17 PM
|
#4
|
Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,702
|
I wouldn't think of it. I can only imagine the can of worms that will open going forward; unplanned stress in places not meant for stress; twisted/warping of the roof; detachment of the roofing material....the list goes on. Lots of mods to make on an RV but cutting out structural support on an already weak structure is just a bad idea IMO.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
|
|
|
09-08-2023, 04:35 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 337
|
To the OP, if your looking to exhaust cooking fumes, why not use your vent fan over the stove to move air. Make sure the flapper on the exterior of the trailer is unlatched to let the air blow out. They are not a Fantastic Fan, but they will vent moisture and fumes from cooking.
__________________
Steve & Patti
2018 Grand Design Reflection 315 RLTS
2019 Chevy 2500 HD Diesel Z71
|
|
|
09-08-2023, 04:49 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Bryan
Posts: 227
|
I strongly advise against cutting holes in the roof. You have to consider the placement of roof trusses and A/C ducts in addition to wires on the ceiling. Use an existing vent opening.
Ken
__________________
2023 Cougar, 2022 F150 EcoBoost tow max Lariat 4x4 Off Road. Former full-time RVer
|
|
|
09-08-2023, 05:54 AM
|
#7
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,763
|
Among all the concerns expressed about cutting a hole here's one more. Typically trailers have very limited space above the ceiling. The unit we have is listed as 3.5" above the ceiling so for my bear paw hands there's no way I could properly frame out a hole in the ceiling. JMHO
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
|
|
|
09-08-2023, 07:24 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Lake Havasu City
Posts: 246
|
The roof structure is a concern. I purchased my trailer with the prewire for a second AC unit, which I had the dealer install prior to delivery. When I investigated later (which I always inspect work done by someone else) I noted when I pulled off the AC shroud that there was a roof truss running right next to the opening for the vent hole.
Now vent fans are WAY lighter than a 13500 BTU AC unit, so it's not so much an issue of weight, but you will still need to avoid any trusses in the roof. And Keystone will offer NO INFORMATION at all about the build of these rigs.
And even if you did go forward with the new vent, it will still require 12 volt power to run it. You could use a Bluetooth remote operated fan to avoid the necessity of running a wall switch. I switched out the vent fan in my bathroom for a remote model because the ceiling in my model trailer is arched up in the center and the DW couldn't reach it to turn it on!
__________________
2023 Passport 2400RBWE
2023 Ram 2500 4X4 6.4 Hemi
400 Watt Solar with 2 Dragon Fly Lithium Batteries
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|