Routing cables through roof for external antenna Carthargo

[Serge]

Hi everyone, may I have your opinion on how to get cables through the roof and roof lining of a Liner for Two please.

I have purchased a Puck 5 4g antenna https://www.solwise.co.uk/a-puck-5 to be bonded (sikaflex) to the roof of our motorhome.

Preferred option is: utilise the holes in the roof where the cables for the tv antenna have been drilled at the factory to run the anntena cables through? I then need to route the cables within the roof lining or cupboards to the location in the picture circled in blue. Has anyone done this? Or got a how to document?

Option 2 is: drill through Cathargo roof ? The cabling will need to run through the roof ( area circled in red in picture) and then within the roof lining route to the cupboard containing the tv cabling & router.Circled in blue in Pic.

I have done this on our previous motorhome but it wasn't this expensive! Any comments or experience / knowledge on these Carthago motorhomes roof linings much appreciated.

 

[Theonlysue]

Is this the sort of thing for roof entry?

 

[DBK]

The cable entry is through the mounting bolt for the antenna. You can just see the bottom of the bolt in the image.

It is possible the bolt may not be long enough, depending on your roof insulation, but if you are using Sikaflex this should not be a problem.

 

[Phill D]

this is what i used, it makes a sandwich of the roof and is tightened and secured by a plastic nut and washer ( and of course the obligatory sikaflex )

 

[Phill D]

The cable entry is through the mounting bolt for the antenna. You can just see the bottom of the bolt in the image.

View attachment 279283

It is possible the bolt may not be long enough, depending on your roof insulation, but if you are using Sikaflex this should not be a problem.

problem solved

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[jongood]

this is what i used, it makes a sandwich of the roof and is tightened and secured by a plastic nut and washer ( and of course the obligatory sikaflex )

View attachment 279284

That looks a neat solution ( for other uses) where is it from please?

 

[Phill D]

fLEA BAY

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MULTIPLE...LAR-SATELLITE-MOTORHOME-CARAVAN-/121955066068

i am sure there are other outlets; not cheap but a safe fixture if fitted correctly. i think i paid £12.99 but cant remember wher i got it from.

 

[G7UXG]

Nice van

 

[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[Serge]

Thanks for the interesting replies, what is the thought on drilling a new hole through roof or attempting to use an existing route out through the roof please.

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[pappajohn]

I wouldn't worry about fitting an antenna..... I'd be more concerned someone's nicked yer back wheel.

 

[DBK]

Thanks for the interesting replies, what is the thought on drilling a new hole through roof or attempting to use an existing route out through the roof please.

If you've got an existing hole in a suitable place use that if you can. Ideally the antenna needs to be able to see the horizon. It is a very complex subject but I would avoid placing it near other "roof furniture" such as solar panels or a satellite dish.

 

[Serge]

I wouldn't worry about fitting an antenna..... I'd be more concerned someone's nicked yer back wheel.

The missing back wheel ensures the other 99% of the vehicle stays just where I left it.

 

[Serge]

If you've got an existing hole in a suitable place use that if you can. Ideally the antenna needs to be able to see the horizon. It is a very complex subject but I would avoid placing it near other "roof furniture" such as solar panels or a satellite dish.

Thanks good point, I spoke to the importer Solwise, they felt 1sq m around antenna would suffice. At some point we will fit a roof mounted awning which I would of thought could on occasion obstruct line of site to mast, but Solwise felt not a deal breaker , time will tell i guess.

 

[DBK]

Thanks good point, I spoke to the importer Solwise, they felt 1sq m around antenna would suffice. At some point we will fit a roof mounted awning which I would of thought could on occasion obstruct line of site to mast, but Solwise felt not a deal breaker , time will tell i guess.

Just looked again at your picture of the roof. I suggest keep it away from the A/C unit if you can. I fitted my roof antenna in the space between the forward rooflight and the windscreen.

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[Gorse Hill]

Can you not use the flue to route the cable, I can see just behind where you have marked obviously depends on what the flue supplying, mine is for my extractor fan

 

[Clarky]

Can you not use the flue to route the cable, I can see just behind where you have marked obviously depends on what the flue supplying, mine is for my extractor fan

I think the flue is the SOG outlet.

Richard.

 

[jongood]

I think the flue is the SOG outlet.

Richard.

Looks more li ke the oven vent to me.
I
IMHO you won't find the answer here, you will have to take a view based on the particular aspects of your own mh. Myself I would avoid routing cabes over the oven. What about taking it through a cupboard?

 

[Lenny HB]

Like John (DBK) I fitted the Poynting MIMO aerial. A bit of a compromise finding a clear area of the roof and a position where it's easy to route the cables.

Also need to take into account the cable lengths no good putting it in a clear area of the roof if it means another meter of cable as the losses are very high, kept my cables 0.8m including the tails out of the unit.

With Poynting the cables also come out through the mounting bolt I just cut a 20mm dial hole through the roof.

Works well been up in the mountains in Spain where neither of our phones could get network or data signals but the Mifi via the MIMO picked up a 3G signal.

 

[Serge]

Can you not use the flue to route the cable, I can see just behind where you have marked obviously depends on what the flue supplying, mine is for my extractor fan

Thanks for this idea, I will investigate, the flue is directly above the gas oven, but I may remove the gas oven and fit a microwave as the gas oven has no grill, and the only degustation we use the oven for is cheese on toast !
Much appreciated

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[Cavs]

That area of your van seems similar to mine. I've been told by the dealer (CamperUK) that the designed entry for solar panel cables is above the oven tech tower (your red circle) and that cables can be run downwards alongside the habitation door behind a crafty bit of sliding panelling (to your blue circle). Access to over the oven is by removing a wooden panel that is Velcro'd in place. Moving the sliding panel is difficult to describe and I haven't tried it yet!

Whereabouts in Bedfordshire are you? We could compare notes - pm me if you're interested.

 

[gus-lopez]

Hi & You will need to join up now as your 5 free posts have been used .It is the best £15 you will spend for the info received & normally within minutes!

 

[sallylillian]

Like John (DBK) I fitted the Poynting MIMO aerial. A bit of a compromise finding a clear area of the roof and a position where it's easy to route the cables.

Also need to take into account the cable lengths no good putting it in a clear area of the roof if it means another meter of cable as the losses are very high, kept my cables 0.8m including the tails out of the unit.

With Poynting the cables also come out through the mounting bolt I just cut a 20mm dial hole through the roof.

Works well been up in the mountains in Spain where neither of our phones could get network or data signals but the Mifi via the MIMO picked up a 3G signal.

View attachment 279343

Lenny, on the roof gland will a SMA connector pass through the gland so I can leave the factory bonded end in situ, and then clamp up on the 200 cable?

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny, on the roof gland will a SMA connector pass through the gland so I can leave the factory bonded end in situ, and then clamp up on the 200 cable?

Not quite sure what you mean. The mounting gland/spigot is in the centre of the unit and the cable exit through it.

 

[sallylillian]

Like John (DBK) I fitted the Poynting MIMO aerial. A bit of a compromise finding a clear area of the roof and a position where it's easy to route the cables.

Also need to take into account the cable lengths no good putting it in a clear area of the roof if it means another meter of cable as the losses are very high, kept my cables 0.8m including the tails out of the unit.

With Poynting the cables also come out through the mounting bolt I just cut a 20mm dial hole through the roof.

Works well been up in the mountains in Spain where neither of our phones could get network or data signals but the Mifi via the MIMO picked up a 3G signal.

View attachment 279343

Hi Lenny, there is a white gland to the right behind the black antenna, which I clearly mistook for a connection out of the antenna but I now guess it relates to your solar? Anyway sorted now I needed 2 off dual glands that would take a 9mm SMA connector through and still seal up. Found them online eventually, not many quote the max cable diameters. But thanks for your time in posting.

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[CazPaul]

Hi Lenny, there is a white gland to the right behind the black antenna, which I clearly mistook for a connection out of the antenna but I now guess it relates to your solar? Anyway sorted now I needed 2 off dual glands that would take a 9mm SMA connector through and still seal up. Found them online eventually, not many quote the max cable diameters. But thanks for your time in posting.

Bloody hell Michael, all this and you are getting a new van soon you lucky bugger.

 

[Lenny HB]

Hi Lenny, there is a white gland to the right behind the black antenna, which I clearly mistook for a connection out of the antenna but I now guess it relates to your solar? Anyway sorted now I needed 2 off dual glands that would take a 9mm SMA connector through and still seal up. Found them online eventually, not many quote the max cable diameters. But thanks for your time in posting.

In my photo it does look like those cables go to it, just the angle of the photo those are the sat dish cables.

 

[sallylillian]

Bloody hell Michael, all this and you are getting a new van soon you lucky bugger.

Yes its all for the new Morelo. I am supplying the complete package of parts to the dealer for him to fit whilst I am there, and I have found from past experience it is best to make it simple for them and not ask them to make any choices for me as they will very likely be wrong. So I measured the space when I was out at Stuttgart and made up a plastic base to fit, then like a jigsaw mounted all the elements on it so they have 4 self tappers to mount it thats all; a switched 12vdc to the neg and pos connection on my panel and thats it working. Mount the 2 antenna on the roof using my bespoke plates I had made at the local engineering shop for them and the motor lifts, feed the 3 coax down using the supplied cable and connect to the 3 coax SMA tails on my panel. So no brains needed to work out where this Ethernet cable goes etc. And of course I have tested it all here at home so I know it all works as per the plan!

 

[CazPaul]

Yes its all for the new Morelo. I am supplying the complete package of parts to the dealer for him to fit whilst I am there, and I have found from past experience it is best to make it simple for them and not ask them to make any choices for me as they will very likely be wrong. So I measured the space when I was out at Stuttgart and made up a plastic base to fit, then like a jigsaw mounted all the elements on it so they have 4 self tappers to mount it thats all; a switched 12vdc to the neg and pos connection on my panel and thats it working. Mount the 2 antenna on the roof using my bespoke plates I had made at the local engineering shop for them and the motor lifts, feed the 3 coax down using the supplied cable and connect to the 3 coax SMA tails on my panel. So no brains needed to work out where this Ethernet cable goes etc. And of course I have tested it all here at home so I know it all works as per the plan!

Good thinking, are you advertising your Flair well before the new ones comes to give it a while to sell?

 

[sallylillian]

Good thinking, are you advertising your Flair well before the new ones comes to give it a while to sell?

Interesting question. I have a stunning PX on the Flair which when the Euro was 1.10 meant I would need around £160k in sterling to match it. Now the pound has strengthened circa £155 would be equal. But then I have the hassle of selling in the UK, it is a big chunk of money and whilst I know its a stunning fully loaded van a buyer does not necessarily and would likely want the comfort of a warranty that a dealer would give and perhaps finance. Sure its just come back from Polch on a low loader having had all the last warranty stuff done so she is perfect, but honestly I am unsure what to do.

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