Where to route solar panel wires?

Recently installed a renogy 100w panel on my cab rack. Probably going to install the controller in the cab on trans tunnel near feet on pass side.

Any thoughts on how to run wires to controller and battery? So far am thinking to drill out a body plug in the floor and then seal around the wires with gasket material...

 

I took mine down between cab and bed, all the way forward into engine compartment and then through the port in the firewall. This kept me from having to drill anything.

Can I ask where you got the adjustable arms? Mine is mounted flat but I would love a set of those.

 

Any chance of a pic of firewall routing? I already have a few added things running through the firewall but I went through a pretty small opening - probably ~1/2” hole where a plug was. Didn’t see much else other than where the oe harness goes through, but don’t want to modify that one...

I made them out of 1.5” and 3/4” aluminum angle.

Edit: they aren’t actually adjustable. At least not on the fly. I plan to make them adjustable when I have time. Thinking I may just go with small gas struts and some latching device to hold it down when laying flat.

 

It’s dark here (Germany) but I will snap a picture tomorrow.

 

Danke!

 

Amazing set up, where did you pick up the solar panel from?

 

Amazon, naturally!

Got a damaged package but like new discount for a kit w controller for $160

 

Crazy good deal you got there.
I am very interested in solar electricity, thank you for posting !!!

 

I went from the battery, to under the cab, to the rear seat area firewall. Then I went through the roof using one of these:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/scanstrut--multi-cable-aluminum-deck-seal--19060128?recordNum=13

Came out super clean and waterproof!

 

From the firewall - routing up the C post:

Pulled back the headliner (didn't have to remove) and went through the roof:

 

You can go through the vent in the rear wall of the cab as well. Pull the plastic behind the seats out and you’ll see it. I ran my cb antenna through there for over a year with no issues. Keeps you from having to drill anything.

 

Since i had no use for my shark fin antenna. I ran mine through there.


And ran the solar wires along the driver side door sills to engine bay.

 

Looks good but no way I’m ready to cut into my cab lol!!

 

You can run wires down between the bed and cab, then bring it back in through one of the rubber plugs in the floor. I did this for the wire for the pop lock in the tailgate. I had to connect the power wire to the rear door actuator. I would then use some silicone around the wire to ensure a watertight seal.

 

Question for @skigOD and @Khonception[/USER] (yall seem familiar with solar setups) or anybody that knows. I have a fuse box in the back end of my bed that I ran to have a direct source of 12v power from my secondary battery. I have a 4 gauge wire going directly to the second battery but I ran my ground down to one of the rear bumper bolts. I thought about connecting my charge controller directly to those wires as that way I would not have to have the setup leave my camper shell area. I am wondering though if the charge controller needs to actually go to the battery, or if simply being grounded is sufficient. Thoughts? Does my explanation make sense?

 

You want to run your charge controller directly to the battery posts. Technically, it may work the way you said, but it's not best practice
.

 

Looks similar!

 

Ive been asking in another post as well. I think I have decided to run another 4 gauge all the way to the battery for the ground. Effectively, this is the same as going from charge controller to the battery in my mind as the wires do go directly to the battery. Am I wrong?

 

You want the wires from the controller direct to the battery with a fuse in between rated equal to your charge controller, keeping the cables as short as possible.

 

Not being difficult, but what is the difference in a small wire leaving the controller going to the battery versus a small wire leaving the controller going to a large wire that then goes directly to the battery?