R-21EC Solar Install Sanity Check

[rdwilson]

I was planning on installing some solar on my 2014 R-21EC. After searching around i found some ~6in T's that looked to get the Panels up high enough to where I could still use the top hatch's for some airflow and not totally block them. Plan is to have one 100W panel on each side and then have the cables come in just in front of the smokestack and then snake them down the stripper pole and then back to the batteries.

Anything I am missing before I go drilling a bunch of holes in the roof?

Two Pics in my Photo Album for what the mounting setup would look like.

 

[Captain Nice]

You’ll likely need to remove the stack/horn/mast fiberglass assembly to “hit” the top of the stripper pole. The “house” roof is a continuous second surface underneath. Also check to see if there’s room in the pole, from below inside the sink cabinet, for the additional cables. My recollection is it’s pretty full.

CN

 

[rdwilson]

Basing off the last time I had the light board off I think there is enough room to bring the cables in the middle as there is slightly more room there. I do remember the stripper pole being pretty tight and might end up being the hardest part for getting cables run through it. I did notice one cable in the pole that wasn't used so maybe I could pull that one down as it was a little larger gauge wire to make a little more room.

 

[bob daily]

You might want to run cables through the side of the smoke stack and rout them with the wires for your mast light. Using a clam shell you will get a clean water tight installation. There is plenty of room in the stripper pole for extra wires just be patient when running wires. I would also run a string for future installation of radar in the future. If you need a clam shell just let me know and I will put one in the mail for you. Also have pictures oh radar wires going through smoke stack if you want to see them.
Good luck Bob

 

[harley]

Which panel and controller are you getting? I am also interested in for my 21 EC. Are you running one circuit to the house bank and letting the ACR control it to the two banks?

 

[rdwilson]

Plan for the cables was to use a couple thru-deck seals I picked up last time I was at West Marine. They are sized for RG-8x coax but are right about the size of the cable I bought with the quick connect ends that match the solar panels, add a little white 5200 to make sure it seals up good.

As for what I bought here is the list of the main parts
Victron controller
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075N ... UTF8&psc=1
Renogy Panels
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JX ... UTF8&psc=1
standoffs (would be nice if they were a little more polished looking)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T5 ... UTF8&psc=1

In the short term i will probably let the ACR handle it I think. I want to change up the battery situation a little to add some more house capacity but can't decide what exactly I want to do there. Lithium would be nice but finding stuff that is group 24 size is impossible it seems. Also there is that problem of going lithium or really anything else that would require a different charging profile from the engine start would involve more hardware to work right. I am really leaning to maybe replacing the group 24 house with a new one (needs it anyways) and adding an 8D or two smaller batteries in the back bench where the stock A/C batteries would have been. I did start to look at what it would take to figure out the regulator for the Alternator or a dc to dc charger out of curiosity but would rather not go down that goad if i don't have to. Don't want to make things to complex for little gain.