Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-16-2017, 05:39 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 40
Running solar cables from roof to charger

Need info on how others have run their solar cables from the roof down to the charger on a 36FB (2013). In and next to vents has not worked so far due to the angles and number of joints used. Neither pipe drops straight to the basement.

So, how did you do your 36FB?

Gary
__________________
2013 Redwood 36FB
07 Chevy 3500 DRW Silverado Classic
Full Time 'n Memories
csg11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2017, 04:00 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
5th_Time's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,136
Since FBs and RLs share much of the floorplan...
On my 36RL, I removed both stack vents and drilled a 1" hole between the pipes.
After you get through the roof, there is a second 5/8" piece of plywood about 2" down to get through with same drill. (They must have used it to stabilize the two stack pipes. From there, I used a snake to get my WiFiRanger & Cell Booster antenna cables into my monitor closet. I think it's open behind it - down to the basement. Pull your monitor panel for access.

Hint: Be careful - as the left side of the street side stack vent (as viewed looking from rear of coach) has a huge bundle of wires just below the roof plywood.
__________________
Mike & Pam '12 36RL, Kodiak Discs, 17.5" G114s H-Rated, SRE4000 w/HD Shackles, Joy Rider Shocks, Flex Air, 5.5 Onan, W&D, DW, 4 Scare Lights, (2) 6V Trojan T-145s; Progressive EMS-HW50C, Winegard DTV Sat, Sony/Denon 4K Home Theater, WiFiRanger EliteAC Pack, weBoost 4G-X Cell Booster.

2022 RAM 3500 Limited CC, LB, 4x4, DRW, Max Tow, Cummins HO, AISIN, 4.10, Mopar 30K w/OEM Prep, Transfer Flow 70gal Aux Tank/Toolbox.
5th_Time is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2017, 08:29 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
travelin' texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,353
On my FB if I recall, the shower/washer vent goes fairly straight down. The only other vent would be the toilet.
__________________
Danny & Linda
Full-timed 10+ years
Former '13 FB owner
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Currently rv & truckless
Replacement undetermined
travelin' texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2017, 11:32 PM   #4
Site Team
 
piper guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,986
Mike ~ I'm thinking of adding the weBoost system. How do you like it ?
__________________
Vaughan & Tracy 2013 RW 36RL, 2013 F350 DRW CC, 2016 Focus. MorRyde IS, MorRyde pinbox, disc brakes, Comfort Ride Hitch. "Life is to be embraced, Grab it with both arms ! "
piper guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2017, 02:45 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
5th_Time's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,136
Vaughan, I just finished installing it last Sunday & my Redwood is in 14" of snow - so no "real world" testing yet. I also installed the Wilson 19" "trucker style" antenna (instead of the included 4" stubby antenna) and mounted it on the Batwing so it cranks up & back down to avoid tree branches, overpasses, etc.
As far as performance goes its too early to tell but it does add a bar or two here in my area.
An alternative would be a Verizon MiFi7730L hotspot using two Wilson 4" stubby MIMO antennas. That is a lot less expensive.
__________________
Mike & Pam '12 36RL, Kodiak Discs, 17.5" G114s H-Rated, SRE4000 w/HD Shackles, Joy Rider Shocks, Flex Air, 5.5 Onan, W&D, DW, 4 Scare Lights, (2) 6V Trojan T-145s; Progressive EMS-HW50C, Winegard DTV Sat, Sony/Denon 4K Home Theater, WiFiRanger EliteAC Pack, weBoost 4G-X Cell Booster.

2022 RAM 3500 Limited CC, LB, 4x4, DRW, Max Tow, Cummins HO, AISIN, 4.10, Mopar 30K w/OEM Prep, Transfer Flow 70gal Aux Tank/Toolbox.
5th_Time is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2017, 12:41 AM   #6
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 40
Solved

Thanks for the replies. I finally got my cables down through the roof. I was able to send them down next to the vent behind the shower which also is behind the coat closet at the entry door. The catch was the vent comes up along the right side of the closets UNTIL it curves over the closet. I did not notice that and it was not until I loosened up the closet (did not remove it for fear of not getting it back in) so I could tip it out did I find joy. Lo and Behold, there they were. All down hill from there. The down side is I had to run my cables rearward further than I had planned so my cable is short. Simple fix, but, delays my installation a couple of days. The 90 plus degree weather here in Phoenix area is not helping either.

Although not part of my OP, I have also installed the WeBoost and love it. I have the small antennae on the roof next to the ladder. I put a small hole in the wall near the floor under the light next to the rear window. I ran the cable through a blank plate that I drilled out to cover the hole. I removed the rear tail light and pushed the cable through to the hole in the wall I had made. Then I zip tied the cable up the ladder and resealed the light.

The WeBoost is only used occasionally. We usually sit right next to it and often hold the candy bar to the phone or sit the wifi on it. Small price to pay for good coverage. Would do it again in a heart beat.

Thanks again for the help.

Gary
__________________
2013 Redwood 36FB
07 Chevy 3500 DRW Silverado Classic
Full Time 'n Memories
csg11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Redwood RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:56 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×