Solar Panel wiring from Roof Cougar 327RES - Looks like I have to drill through roof

[Texascoastalfish]

I am putting up my solar panels on the roof of my Cougar 327 5th wheel.
I am running 6 gauge from my combiner box but I have a problem. I cant find any of the tank vent pipe routes anywhere on the rig, they must be behind the walls and I cant see where to access them. This leaves me with the issue of putting a hole in the roof and finding a route from there. The one pipe I thought was a vent was actually the washer dryer drain in the master bedroom

Anyone ran solar wire from the roof of this model Cougar 5th wheel (2015) ?

any help would be greatly appreciated

[byrdr1]

Originally Posted by Texascoastalfish

I am putting up my solar panels on the roof of my Cougar 327 5th wheel.
I am running 6 gauge from my combiner box but I have a problem. I cant find any of the tank vent pipe routes anywhere on the rig, they must be behind the walls and I cant see where to access them. This leaves me with the issue of putting a hole in the roof and finding a route from there. The one pipe I thought was a vent was actually the washer dryer drain in the master bedroom

Anyone ran solar wire from the roof of this model Cougar 5th wheel (2015) ?

any help would be greatly appreciated

Do you use the washer/dryer vent for anything. MY 327RES doesn't have this added feature. That would be a good place to bring wiring down into master bedroom and then into the storage compartment under it right where the battery packs would reside. That would be better than a hole in your roof.

What about the front Ac around that area. its prewired for an Ac if you dont have one. That would allow you access to wiring that goes back to fuse panel?
just throwing out thoughts.
Randy

[Texascoastalfish]

Thanks Randy
I like the idea of using the Washer drain I'm just freaked out on drilling holes in ceilings/roofs, but I guess its what I must do to get what I want done
The washer/Dryer are in the from cap area so getting a wire down there should be doable. Thanks for the advice ! Yes I have a front AC as well

Regards !
David E

[Milocka]

I just finished a solar install this weekend.

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/sho...d.php?p=199403

I didn't feel like drilling into my roof so I ran them down the black tank vent pipe. Turned out great!

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Texascoastalfish

Thanks Randy
I like the idea of using the Washer drain I'm just freaked out on drilling holes in ceilings/roofs, but I guess its what I must do to get what I want done
The washer/Dryer are in the from cap area so getting a wire down there should be doable. Thanks for the advice ! Yes I have a front AC as well

Regards !
David E

Have you considered routing the wiring through the refrigerator roof vent, down the back of the refrigerator, then under the cabinets (or under the trailer) and into the front battery compartment/controller mounting location?

[Texascoastalfish]

Hi John
I wish I had a refrigerator vent to run down. On this model the vent for the refer is on the side of the rig. On the roof there are the 2 AC's. the Fantastic Fan I installed and 3 vent pipes. I cant find where the vent tubes enter any compartment, chimney, or vestibule that I can access to pull a wire through

I looked again yesterday and I may have to drill a hole on the roof Starboard side above the hallway to the Bedroom where a light fixture is installed on the ceiling. If I can fish from there to just above the Washer /dryer vent pipe (which is accessible in the front compartment) I can get my wire pulled. I wish I knew where the Grey/Black vent pipes were accessible..

Thanks !

[chuckster57]

Tank vents will be vertical, but behind a wall. Once you determine which one you want to use just remove the edge molding on that wall. You should be able to remove the staples on one end and the top/bottom enough to peel back the wall. I do it a lot to run different wires/cables and such.

[Texascoastalfish]

Miloka

PM sent . questions on your install

[Texascoastalfish]

Thanks for all the helpful advice from yall
Got my 400 Watts up on the roof running 10 gauge MC-4 to my combiner box, then 6 AWG down black tank vent, out under fridge and up into the basement and through the partition into the front compartment. The panels Z-bracket mounting feet are on a piece of eternabond and dicor to protecct the roof.
Put a 30A inline from the panels to to Controller. Turned out nice. Lots of work but worth it. !

[Milocka]

Nice work, very clean install! Told ya that you just have to jump in and do it!

[Texascoastalfish]

You were right on , Up and down that ladder 10X or more times, but those COLD ONES sure tasted good after it was done.
Thanks again

[Milocka]

Oh, I forgot to tell you I had my 10yr old son help, he went up and down the ladder probably 10 times [emoji106]