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Post by tomten on Jul 3, 2017 20:42:26 GMT
Looking for good tidy effective way of running solar cables onto deck of the 50x10 Dutch barge I am refitting.
I'd like to maintain the ability to add to or change my solar set up, including running additional cables. So rather than just install the cables I need through deck fittings, I'd like to install a waterproof junction box on the roof, with an open piece of conduit running into the boat. Then I can run different cables into the box from inside, and pop a new grommit in and run them out to panels other roof whenever I want to.
So, suggestions for a suitable conduit (30-40mm diameter) and weatherproof gland to connect through the roof and into the box please!
Also, while doing this I would like to run in pipes for a solar water collector. I have a spare coil on my calorifier, and currently the ceiling is not lined, so it makes sense to drop the pipes in now (even if I never get round to connecting them to anything!)
What type of pipes do I use? Just regular speedfit? Does it have a temperature limit? Should I insulate these pipe runs inside the boat (they will mostly be tucked behind lining, but it's not hard to lag them before I seal them away if this is desirable). Lastly, and most importantly, what type of fitting/gland to send pipe through steel roof of the boat?
Many thanks!
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Post by smileypete on Jul 4, 2017 14:00:27 GMT
Would have thought only two cables would be needed for solar, something like this might do: www.manomano.co.uk/solar-panel-connectors-and-lead-2406?model_id=1933262There's also panel mount MC4 connectors around, if they could be tucked somewhere out of the way. As for the hot water, maybe try asking on the Navitron forum there's a lot to it, heat dump, angled panels, yadayada, so getting pipes through the roof may be the least of the issues. I guess if solar hot water made a lot of sense for boats there'd be a lot more boats with systems on.  With a BIG solar PV system there may be scope to dump excess power into the immersion. |
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Post by tomten on Jul 4, 2017 21:04:54 GMT
Would have thought only two cables would be needed for solar, something like this might do: www.manomano.co.uk/solar-panel-connectors-and-lead-2406?model_id=1933262There's also panel mount MC4 connectors around, if they could be tucked somewhere out of the way. As for the hot water, maybe try asking on the Navitron forum there's a lot to it, heat dump, angled panels, yadayada, so getting pipes through the roof may be the least of the issues. I guess if solar hot water made a lot of sense for boats there'd be a lot more boats with systems on. With a BIG solar PV system there may be scope to dump excess power into the immersion. Thanks Pete, but solar install requires 6 cables, (victron easysolar, 1500w of panels at 24v) with the possibility of adding one or two additional pairs to a separate controller in the future (mooring is shadowed by a tree, so will possibly install separate arrays to maximise morning and evening sun) Also, boat has a central wheelhouse and there will be two cable entry points, one on fwd deck, one aft, as there is no logical external route to run cables past wheelhouse. So, as per my original post, I would like to install junction boxes on the roof of the vessel, with open conduit running to them, so that I can add or change the cables in them without needing to remove interior lining. I am imagining something like a bulkhead fitting that one uses on gas pipe, but just bigger. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2017 21:09:23 GMT
22mm brass compression tank connector? If the junction box is securely fixed to the roof of the boat with sikaflex then you don't really need the bit going through the cabin top to be sealed.
Eta maybe 28mm is a better size.
1500w is a LOT of solar to put on a fairly small boat.
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Post by smileypete on Jul 5, 2017 19:00:17 GMT
Thanks Pete, but solar install requires 6 cables, (victron easysolar, 1500w of panels at 24v) with the possibility of adding one or two additional pairs to a separate controller in the future (mooring is shadowed by a tree, so will possibly install separate arrays to maximise morning and evening sun) Also, boat has a central wheelhouse and there will be two cable entry points, one on fwd deck, one aft, as there is no logical external route to run cables past wheelhouse. So, as per my original post, I would like to install junction boxes on the roof of the vessel, with open conduit running to them, so that I can add or change the cables in them without needing to remove interior lining. I am imagining something like a bulkhead fitting that one uses on gas pipe, but just bigger. The caravan junction box could probably take at least a couple more cable glands, eg one each side, two on the back. Other than that there's IP rated jn boxes, but would need to be sealed to the roof, maybe with self tappers and sealant: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IP66-Black-Weatherproof-Outdoor-External-Junction-Box-Complete-With-Connector-/161699801932Trouble is with tricky unusual problems, there's less likely to be something off the shelf that's cheap and easy to use.  |
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Post by JohnV on Jul 6, 2017 6:00:01 GMT
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Post by tomten on Jul 7, 2017 12:23:41 GMT
Yes, 1500w is a lot, but living aboard with a family of four in the winter on a mooring which only has sun until around 1pm requires a LOT of solar.
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With a BIG solar PV system there may be scope to dump excess power into the immersion.
