Wiring for solar panels

[Tom's38GK]

Hi everyone,

I have a question regarding where one might run the wiring from the roof to the batteries for solar panels. I have a 38GK14 and would like to mount two industrial panels that I have used a number of times on different RV's for over 25 years. They have worked great with the regulator that cuts the charge at 13.7 volts hooking them up directly to the battery.

Looking for any ideas I can get from the forum can help me make a clean install that will work for years to come being able to remove them if I upgrade at a later date. Now a couple of thoughts I have is I want to put them behind the first or second air keeping the front roof clean. The other thought is going through the rear cap from above the tail light opposite corner of the ladder mounting them behind the rear air conditioner. Now I know that it will be a long run and will probably use 12 or 10 gauge wire since the wire run will be around 55 foot.

Look forward to some great ideas and considerations in making this happen in the near future.

Thanks in advance!!
Tom

[ted 95]

suggest you have a look at a voltage drop calculator.
://www.solar-wind.co.uk/cable-sizing-DC-cables.html
as #10 or so will not cut it. For me you need at least a #8 or #1/0 in a multi braid like a battery cable

[5th_Time]

Run your roof cable through the roof in between the stack vent tubes down to the monitor panel cabinet, continue down to basement, over the ceiling of the storage area to the battery box (at least this works for RL/RE type - yours may be different).

[Tom's38GK]

I saw that post where some have done this was hoping someone with a GK knows if this would still apply?