Van roof solar wiring layout.

[berni109]

So I have the controller and 3 semi flexable panels and the cable entry box and fuses and I know where it all goes and how it connects together but how do/did you keep the wiring tidy on the roof?
With one panel and long cable tails on the last van I just fixed the cable to the roof through the entry box and direct to the controller. But with short tails I an going to need either 2x 3 to 1 connector or 4x 2 to 1 connectors before they get to the cable entry box and I would like to avoid the roof looking like a plate of black spaghetti with lumps in it.
Ideas or real world solutions please.
If it's been posted before point me in that direction.
TIA
Bern

 

[Raul]

Instead of a cable entry box, I have opted for 10mm white glands, and fed all wires in the van. The combiner box is in the top locker.
With flexible panels you have the option of top cables( messy) or bottom cables. They get fed under the panel straight through the roof with a bit of sealant and a grommet. That way you have no cables on the roof. Retro fitting, you will need some conduit glued to prevent wires moving in the wind.

 

[dunnah01]

I used a $h!t load of self adhesive cable tie pads and I'll need to do it properly soon. They're lasting OK but the cable is losing it's colour and flexibility due to UV degradation. My plan is to Sika general purpose cable trunking between panels and roof gland once I can get the bits.

 

[Raul]

Those pads will fly off at first frost; they did not worked for me. Cable ties crumble after extensive UV exposure. Glued D line trunking is the way to go. It’s quieter than square in the wind.

 

[berni109]

unfortunately the wiring has to run across the roof to a single point of entry box to then get to the controller.
so it looks like trunking and possibly ip66 junction boxes rather than mc4 connectors. at 20mm diameter the mc4 connectors would need a fair sized trunking. if i cut the mc4s off i could crimp the cable joints inside the junction box?
any more ideas?

i used those cable tie pads on the last van but removed the self adhesive pads and stuck them down.

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[PhilandMena]

This is the sort of thing you need. You can buy in different sizes and secure with sikaflex. Nice and tidy when finished.

25mm PVC Channel Capping White (2m Length)

IMPORTANT - This product is ordered in increments of 2. Adding 2 to your basket would mean you would receive 1 x 2 metre length

www.cef.co.uk

 

[Raul]

Yes chop the mc4s and join them in a waterproof box. When you connect them together, crimp a end ferrule over the stranded cable if it goes into a screw terminal block.