Water leak

[Baden87]

Hi I have a leak where the solar panel enters the van from outside,it’s in one of those boxes with the 2 cable glands , but only both pos and neg cables are going through 1 gland , with the other gland is not used and has a blank plug screwed into it , could this be the problem

 

[tonyidle]

I doubt it. But then I've never liked those bottomless gland thingies. Lift it off the roof, clean it and the roof thoroughly, then re-attach with PU adhesive. The reason I don't believe it will be the glands is that they are clear of the roof. Water would need to be forced in by the wind in the correct direction. The base of the gland box rests on the roof and relies entirely on the sealant to prevent water getting under it.

 

[Richard n Ann]

When you redo it though, use a gland each and tighten them up on the cable, it's better practice.

 

[mitzimad]

When you redo it though, use a gland each and tighten them up on the cable, it's better practice.

a bit of sealant on the glands might be good idea

 

[funflair]

Where the leak is from might depend how the wires enter the gland, if they are coming downhill they could bring water into the box and through the roof but less likely if they are going uphill to the gland.

Check and reseal the box, and seal around the gland if you don't want to rewire it through two glands.

Martin

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[Lenny HB]

Sounds like the hole where the cables go through the roof under the box isn't sealed, it should be. Then if any water does get into the box it can't get into the van.

 

[Bart]

Just incase it isn't, make sure the box is mounted to the roof the correct way around and with the glands facing the rear of the motorhome, if it is facing front ways then as you drive along there is more of a chance of leaking via the glands due to wind

 

[tonyidle]

Sounds like the hole where the cables go through the roof under the box isn't sealed, it should be. Then if any water does get into the box it can't get into the van.

This is the underside and is why I don't like them. They rely entirely on the narrow edge seal:

 

[Allanm]

If you take the box off and reseal it, also check water isn’t getting in through the threads on the cable glands where they go through the box. I would think this is the most likely place for water to get in.

 

[Baden87]

ok thanks for that , I'm wondering if its something to do with the amount of water collecting on the roof when parked level , when I moved off this weekend the amount of water that came from the roof was amazing , could the glands be submerged under these circumstances , letting water in, and then no where to get out but through the hole in the roof , which is not sealed ?

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[Baden87]

I think I could do with lifting the box with the glands in higher so the standing water does not submerge the glands ..... just a thought

 

[gus-lopez]

This is the underside and is why I don't like them. They rely entirely on the narrow edge seal:

View attachment 309070

Same here .I prefer an ordinary box with a base & seal that to roof & drill hole through.

 

[tonyidle]

Same here .I prefer an ordinary box with a base & seal that to roof & drill hole through.

I do that & use a piece of plastic conduit through the roof with an upstand in the box. Belt 'n' braces .

 

[Baden87]

any suggestions for the boxes mentioned

 

[Lenny HB]

I think I could do with lifting the box with the glands in higher so the standing water does not submerge the glands ..... just a thought

I don't understand how you can get that much water on a Motorhome roof, surely it's can never get deeper than a mm or two.

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[Baden87]

its a known feature of the design on an Autotrail of that era

 

[mike mcglynn]

I took the co axial aerial cable out of the house tv and a stream of water came out of the cable ,so it may be worth having a look at the cable as well as the gland.

 

[Jaws]

Our first van had similar.. rather than faffing around I just put a bead of Sikaflex round the gland foot and forced some in around the cables,, stopped it dead !
Nowadays I would use what Terry put me on to .. Puraflex40, available from Tool Station

 

[Baden87]

o k thanks ill look it up

 

[Baden87]

I'm really struggling to stop this ive sikaflexed it to death

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[Lenny HB]

I'm really struggling to stop this ive sikaflexed it to death

Why not put some photos up of the problem.

 

[Blue Knight]

I'm really struggling to stop this ive sikaflexed it to death

Is there any chance that you can access the entry point from inside-out.

I had a similiar problem with my new Pilote because the dealer's techy apprentice didn't seal the hole properly when they fitted the solar gear.

In the end I stripped and reassembled the unit and then injected the sealant everywhere to stop the leak. I was also fortunate enough to be able to access the entry point from the inside, via one of the removable spot lights, so I injected the hole too.

The roof will never leak again but as Lenny said above post a pic as that may help the diagnosis.

 

[Lenny HB]

Have you actually taken the inlet box off yet?
If not I suspect when you do take it off you will find the hole when the cables go through the roof has not been sealed.

 

[Baden87]

You are bang on Lenny HB ITS NOT BEEN SEALED

 

[Baden87]

My only problem with that if water is getting in the box (after sealing the hole ) where will the water escape or will it just build up ?

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[Ridgeway]

I don't understand how you can get that much water on a Motorhome roof, surely it's can never get deeper than a mm or two.

Snow. Ours started to leak one winter when there was a good amount of snow on the roof and as it melted it collected around the box and we had as small amount of water ingress. I took it off and found the seal was in place but had moved when installed at the factory and therefore there was enough of a gap to let some water in, a bit of sealant sorted it out and it's been fine since.

 

[denisejoe]

This is the underside and is why I don't like them. They rely entirely on the narrow edge seal:

It should be more than a thin seal sikaflex needs 3mm which is why there is a grove around the edge it’s notthe very edge that seals

 

[Baden87]

Yes I had it when it snowed too

 

[Lenny HB]

My only problem with that if water is getting in the box (after sealing the hole ) where will the water escape or will it just build up ?

Get a new box, feed a single cable through each gland. When you fit the glands into the box seal them with Sika, and once you have fitted the cables put some sealant over the glands as well, that is what I do.
There is then very little chance of water getting into the box but if it does providing the roof is sealed properly where the cables go through it won't cause any problems.

 

[gus-lopez]

I can get 5 or 6mm of water , height of the side/edge rails , when it pools where the roof sweeps up about 6" to the over cab.
After you have sealed the hole, & the cables through the grometts in to box, if you are worried about water still getting in & having nowhere to go then fill the whole box with sealant.

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