Running wire inside roof for solar

[bajaphile]

I see there is a recent thread, and I have tried searching but didn't see any posts about my specific question.

I've already attached a new 200W panel to my Yakima tracks with some simple L brackets. What is next is where I want to run the wire (My camper is a 2003 and not prewired for solar). The panel is positioned in the middle of the roof, I would like to run the wire to the front of the camper, then down along the bed, and then down to my solar charger which is installed next to the water tank.

My 2 options are :
1) Drill hole on outside skin in middle of roof, near my panel, then run the wire inside the roof between the interior and exterior panels up to the front lift panel area. I prefer this option, but am worried that even with fish tape, it will be difficult to do. It seems like there is a route I can take without having to go under or over a cross support in the roof.

2) Route the solar panel wire ON the roof to the front. What I don't really like about this is I would need to drill some holes for cushion clamps/P-clamps to secure the wire. Not quite as clean looking as well.

Any other ideas? I like routing to the front lift panel because there feels like there is a flat support which I can drill from the inside of the camper and attach a plastic feed-through / grommet for the wire. Otherwise I'm not sure how well the interior lining will hold up with an unsupported hole and wires running through it.

 

[Vic Harder]

Both I and Ski3pin have written about this before. The wire on the roof can be held down with tape, or position your solar panel so that the wires exit close the front of the camper.

I recently redid the wires (strongly recommend you use Anchor or similar brand high quality, fine stranded wire. Cheaper wire fatigues over time.

 

[bajaphile]

Thanks Vic,
I forgot to take some pics, but will post up this weekend when I get some time. I thought I'd follow up with what I did.

I liked your idea about just taping the wire. Keep it simple. I drilled my hole at the front of the camper through the lift panel aluminum support that runs side to side on the camper (same place as the roof vent wiring goes from the factory). I used some nylon flange bushings on top and bottom of the holes to protect the wire from the sharp edges and installed them with 3M 4200. I purchased some Amazon duplex 10AWG Marine grade wire (Yeah, I should have probably spent the $$ on the Anchor...).

Used the Link Solar roof cable passthrough and secured that with more 3M 4200 (I really like this stuff). I had about 3 feet of wire to run back to where my solar panel is mounted, about midway on the roof between my 2 roof vents. I used some white Flex Seal tape to cover the wires and secure them as they made the run. I feel comfortable that even if I clipped a branch nothing would move. The white on white also looks good.