Solar panel cable trunking

[HobbyHarvey]

Hi all, any recommendations for cable trunking for the roof.
Thanks, Mike.

 

[funflair]

B&Q

 

[pappajohn]

I used self adhesive plastic YT2 trunking as used in domestic electrical wiring.

Comes in 2 or 3mtr lengths and various widths and includes Tee's, end stops and 90° bends.

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Screwfix plastic cable trunking with adhesive backing about £1.60 for a 2 or 3 mtr length.

 

[deleted-member02]

I have found that the adhesive backing eventually fails, perhaps due to heat / sunlight.
A thin bead of mastic ensures that the trunking stays in place

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[Richard n Ann]

Yes don't use the sticky tape, also leave the ends open so the rain can blow through and evaporate

 

[Lenny HB]

Don't use the adhesive backed I did once never again.
Any mini trunking will do, I always fit it upside down ( glue lid to roof) it looks neater, fit with Sika don't forget to abrade the roof and trunking or it will just peel off.

 

[DaveandJen]

I'm not sure if its helpful but trunking for solar panel cables are not normally fitted to new motorhomes nowadays. They use a gland like the link below when entering the van and the cable is attached to the roof for its short journey with cable supports and 3M sticky pads.

Amazon product ASIN B01LZ4KZ27

 

[Lenny HB]

I'm not sure if its helpful but trunking for solar panel cables are not normally fitted to new motorhomes nowadays. They use a gland like the link below when entering the van and the cable is attached to the roof for its short journey with cable supports and 3M sticky pads.

Amazon product ASIN B01LZ4KZ27

That is a total bodge usually done when you get a dealer to fit the panel. In hot sun the cable tie bases will soon be loose and cables will be flapping about.

 

[DaveandJen]

That is a total bodge usually done when you get a dealer to fit the panel. In hot sun the cable tie bases will soon be loose and cables will be flapping about.

I'm sorry Lenny but this is how the Swift Group have been wiring up their solar panels on new motorhomes for a few years now.

You are not alone - just reporting as it is.

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[pappajohn]

I'm sorry Lenny but this is how the Swift Group have been wiring up their solar panels on new motorhomes for a few years now.

And we know why....

1/2 a dozen sticky backed cable clips is a lot cheaper than a 2 meter length of mini trunking and requires no brains to cut to length.
It all down to cost.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

That is a total bodge usually done when you get a dealer to fit the panel.

this is how the Swift Group have been wiring up their solar panels on new motorhomes for a few years now.

Not really anything else to say is there.

 

[Minxy]

Why DO you need to enclose the cable in trunking though ... when I installed the solar panel on our FamilyScout I didn't use any, I actually had some large cable clips (as you'd use for household cable runs), I placed the cable where I wanted it to run held in position by tape, removed the nail from the cable clips and Sikaflexed the clips over the cable to the roof ... in 3 years they haven't budged! It meant I didn't have to mess about cutting and sticking down trunking and could bend the cable to where it best fitted/ran to the inlet which is just a simple one as shown in image 2 below (well sealed with Sikaflex).

 

[Lenny HB]

Unless you use white cable ( on a white roof) it will look naff.
Also looks mucky after a while as dirt & much collect around the cables, also makes washing the roof akward.

I'm proud of my nice tidy roof.

 

[Lenny HB]

I'm sorry Lenny but this is how the Swift Group have been wiring up their solar panels on new motorhomes for a few years now.

You are not alone - just reporting as it is.

QED total bodged hate to think how the rest of the van is built.

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[two]

Why is appearance that important on the roof?
I don't have solar on my present van but, when I fitted my previous one, I used the sticky pads (with Sikaflex) and cable ties. Cheaper and just as effective.

 

[Minxy]

Unless you use white cable ( on a white roof) it will look naff.
Also looks mucky after a while as dirt & much collect around the cables, also makes washing the roof akward.

I'm proud of my nice tidy roof.

My FamilyScout is gold and my Campscout is blue so can't get trunking to match anyway and I ain't spray painting it to match!

When I was at the car boot sale yesterday some of the stall holders were packing and whilst walking back to the car I noticed some stuff that had been dumped which I rescued for the charity shop (nothing wrong with it just that some people can't be bothered to donate it and the shop will get some good money for it, I often pick stuff up for them in this way). I also spotted some timber that had been discarded so I wandered over and lo and behold there was some plastic trunking, the oval stuff though not the 2 piece type, so of course I snaffled it all as I'm sure it'll come in handy ... I might, just might, use the trunking it for the solar cabling on the Campscout as I can thread it through the centre before feeding it down into the camper and then just stick the trunking down rather than do my 'clip' sticking.

 

[pappajohn]

Why DO you need to enclose the cable in trunking though ... when I installed the solar panel on our FamilyScout I didn't use any, I actually had some large cable clips (as you'd use for household cable runs), I placed the cable where I wanted it to run held in position by tape, removed the nail from the cable clips and Sikaflexed the clips over the cable to the roof ... in 3 years they haven't budged! It meant I didn't have to mess about cutting and sticking down trunking and could bend the cable to where it best fitted/ran to the inlet which is just a simple one as shown in image 2 below (well sealed with Sikaflex).

Then why bother with anything.... Simply sikaflex the cable directly to the roof.

 

[Minxy]

Then why bother with anything.... Simply sikaflex the cable directly to the roof.

I did try that but it is a b*gger to do it without getting coated in the stuff yourself or spread it around the van roof when the flipping cable moves about before you've got it taped down ... ask me how I know!

 

[pappajohn]

I did try that but it is a b*gger to do it without getting coated in the stuff yourself or spread it around the van roof when the flipping cable moves about before you've got it taped down ... ask me how I know!

Line of sika, lay cable on and a bit of tape to hold, until cured, as you go along.

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[Lenny HB]

My FamilyScout is gold and my Campscout is blue so can't get trunking to match anyway and I ain't spray painting it to match!

Some people are Sooooooo lazy

 

[Minxy]

Line of sika, lay cable on and a bit of tape to hold, until cured, as you go along.

Easy on a flat roof but on a corrugated camper one not quite so easy!

I'll be having a play this week so will decide when I'm up there what to do ... I might just stick to the clip method and knock the ruddy nails in!

 

[olley]

Q

Easy on a flat roof but on a corrugated camper one not quite so easy!

I'll be having a play this week so will decide when I'm up there what to do ... I might just stick to the clip method and knock the ruddy nails in!

Noooooo bolt them through to the inside, 6mm bolts should do it, every 100mm.

 

[Freespirit1]

I'm not sure if its helpful but trunking for solar panel cables are not normally fitted to new motorhomes nowadays. They use a gland like the link below when entering the van and the cable is attached to the roof for its short journey with cable supports and 3M sticky pads.

Amazon product ASIN B01LZ4KZ27

Yes I think that is the best way - i’ve Done exactly that and after 9 months in quite extreame temperature ranges and extreme winds none of the sticky pads ( actually about 30 yrs old from a stock I had from RS) have moved or deteriorated - and not much of a deal to replace them if they do

 

[Lenny HB]

Easy on a flat roof but on a corrugated camper one not quite so easy!

I'll be having a play this week so will decide when I'm up there what to do ... I might just stick to the clip method and knock the ruddy nails in!

Make sure the nails are long enough so you can bend them over on the inside.

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[two]

Then why bother with anything.... Simply sikaflex the cable directly to the roof.

That would be a bodge.

 

[scotjimland]

I hate to see cable runs or pipework not installed correctly , even when it's out of sight..

I once had an apprentice who thought it was ok to run cables and pipes in any old fashion simply because they were in a void and no one would ever see them..

how wrong he was.. I SAW them and made him rip it out and start again.. lesson learned..


Do it once, do it correctly, use mini trunking

 

[DaveandJen]

I think we are talking about a few feet of cable run along the top of a motorhome in this case - but nevertheless good to read how you sorted the apprentice out.

 

[Freespirit1]

[QUOTE="scotjimland, post: 28514


Do it once, do it correctly, use mini trunking [/QUOTE]

No - that’s overkill - move with the times and technology- sticky pads far more practical and can be made to look very good

 

[DaveandJen]

Mini T

I hate to see cable runs or pipework not installed correctly , even when it's out of sight.. I once had an apprentice who thought it was ok to run cables and pipes in any old fashion simply because they were in a void and no one would ever see them.. how wrong he was.. I SAW them and made him rip it out and start again.. lesson learned..

Do it once, do it correctly, use mini trunking

Mini Trunking still needs to be held down on a Motorhome roof. I’ve never found those two or three metre lengths of self adhesive trunkings any good when used inside the house so would not recommend for long term use on the roof of a motorhome unless extra bonding is added. I'm cleaning the van and roof tomorrow so will take and post a few shots of the solar panel cables shortly.

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