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Solar, How did you run wires?
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WestyDreamer
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Joined: December 22, 2011
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:52 am    Post subject: Solar, How did you run wires? Reply with quote

For you guys that already have solar on your roof.

How did you run your wires from the panel to the inside of your Van.

or in my case

Whats the best route to run wires from my Westy Poptop to the inside of the Van?

I'm trying not to make holes in the top flat part of my Camper Top.

I've seen where some guys have run them into the rear vents and then into the Van but would think that would have wind drag on the wires, and also help to funnel rain along the wire run.

I'm kind of leaning towards trying to route them into the Van from the rear area, hatch etc?

What did you do, and whats the best path into the Vans cavity?
.
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joseph928
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:10 am    Post subject: solar Reply with quote

Blue Bay Bus You can just see the wires in the upper left going in. Put in a small loop under the hatch to drain off any water that might get in. Then run the wires behind the closet and down the spice rack then down to the battery. And have my MPPT charge controller in the center of spice rack. With the circuit breakers next to it. And with a pop top we do it the same way. Very Happy
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1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug.
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dubbified
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I ran my wires down the louvers, no holes.

Right into the engine bay, driverside, zipped up to other wires, sheathed, and routed under the rear seat, into the same rubber booties the hoses for the antifreeze shared. (I deleted rear heater)
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Timwhy
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I ran mine in thru the rear vent. Drilled two holes and put grommets in them, pulled the wire thru
and sealed them with Black RTV

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Looped the wires so the water would drip off them.

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'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
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'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


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madspaniard
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

more info and pics here

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=448941&highlight=wires
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Syncronoid
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I drilled two small holes on the raised portion of the poptop, right underneath the panel. Holes sealed with rubber grommets. Has never, ever leaked. The wires fit so tight in the grommets that I had to grease the cables to slide them in. Also, the panel on top keeps water away from the holes, even when the top is up. I looked at all the setups here on the Samba and decided this was the best and cleanest way to do it and not risk water leaks. I think wires hanging on the outside, in plain view, look like a hack job.



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LachlanMcLean
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The visible wiring in your upper bunk looks like a hack job, too, but to each, their own. Happy day.
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DAV!D
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I haven't mounted my panels yet, but the best idea I've seen so far, is to run them into the rear hatch and go into the body just like the wires do for the door.
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Syncronoid
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 7:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

LachlanMcLean wrote:
The visible wiring in your upper bunk looks like a hack job, too, but to each, their own. Happy day.


Let's see yours. Smile
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