Running solar cable after pop top fitted

[Neilson]

I'm after some advise guys, i have a SkyLow roof fitted and the interior is all carpet lined. I'm about to fit solar so need to run the cables. Anyone done this on a lined van before? and any idea on the best route for them?

I've fitted solar to van with an SCA roof so know the usual routes but the van wasn't lined then and i made the roof panels etc.

 

[Jay]

I'm in a similar situation. Interested to see how others have done it.

 

[Nalgene]

How did you end up doing this?

 

[Neilson]

I could feel some screws around the outer edge of the panel, under the carpet lining so peeled it back and un-did them. This then gave me plenty of room to feed the cables through. There's loads of room under there so ran all my cables (solar, lights, USB, etc) as well.

 

[Brucehc]

I'm after some advise guys, i have a SkyLow roof fitted and the interior is all carpet lined. I'm about to fit solar so need to run the cables. Anyone done this on a lined van before? and any idea on the best route for them?

I've fitted solar to van with an SCA roof so know the usual routes but the van wasn't lined then and i made the roof panels etc.

Just about to start this process with my SCA roof, and trying to find how / where to run the cables. Do you have any photos you could share, or give a description please? I have a tailgate, if that makes a difference. Cheers.

 

[Captain Quick]

Just about to start this process with my SCA roof, and trying to find how / where to run the cables. Do you have any photos you could share, or give a description please? I have a tailgate, if that makes a difference. Cheers.

I have a LWB campervan conversion fitted with a SCA 192 roof. After taking delivery I had to run a cable from a reversing / rear view camera from the top of the tailgate window to the right hand (drivers side) A pillar. If it’s any help, I found it was possible to run a steel draw tape (as used by BT engineers) from the top of the B pillar all the way along the void to the rear wardrobe without running into any obstructions. I initially tried running it on the left hand side but met obstructions on that side. My suspicion is that the wiring harness to the rear was run down the left hand side.

I would guess that you could run a twin solar 6mm² from the PV along the void on the right hand side and take it down the B pillar to under the driver’s seat.

 

[Brucehc]

I have a LWB campervan conversion fitted with a SCA 192 roof. After taking delivery I had to run a cable from a reversing / rear view camera from the top of the tailgate window to the right hand (drivers side) A pillar. If it’s any help, I found it was possible to run a steel draw tape (as used by BT engineers) from the top of the B pillar all the way along the void to the rear wardrobe without running into any obstructions. I initially tried running it on the left hand side but met obstructions on that side. My suspicion is that the wiring harness to the rear was run down the left hand side.

I would guess that you could run a twin solar 6mm² from the PV along the void on the right hand side and take it down the B pillar to under the driver’s seat.

Thanks for this. "Unfortunately" I don't have any cupboards so cables need to go behind the lining panels. I'm intending to bring the cables down through the roof between the canvas and the very end, and then in through the velcro entry at the back of the canvas. Then need to drill a hole in the bed to bring down into the cabin, over the edge of the original roof, and into the rear corner, and down behind the panels, as a temporary fix. I have some mildew on the lining from a leaking window so will get that replaced and the cable run out of sight behind the panels at the same time, this autumn.

 

[Neilson]

Thanks for this. "Unfortunately" I don't have any cupboards so cables need to go behind the lining panels. I'm intending to bring the cables down through the roof between the canvas and the very end, and then in through the velcro entry at the back of the canvas. Then need to drill a hole in the bed to bring down into the cabin, over the edge of the original roof, and into the rear corner, and down behind the panels, as a temporary fix. I have some mildew on the lining from a leaking window so will get that replaced and the cable run out of sight behind the panels at the same time, this autumn.

I had an SCA roof before and routed as your plan. With the skylow I found the screws holding the lining panels on so removed these so i could get behind them.

 

[Captain Quick]

Thanks for this. "Unfortunately" I don't have any cupboards so cables need to go behind the lining panels. I'm intending to bring the cables down through the roof between the canvas and the very end, and then in through the velcro entry at the back of the canvas. Then need to drill a hole in the bed to bring down into the cabin, over the edge of the original roof, and into the rear corner, and down behind the panels, as a temporary fix. I have some mildew on the lining from a leaking window so will get that replaced and the cable run out of sight behind the panels at the same time, this autumn.

I don’t have cupboards either. All my cabling was in the space above the lining inside the SCA frame. I just brought it down at the rear passing it for a couple of inches through the top of the rear wardrobe to connect to the camera at the top of tailgate.