Curly Cable - Advice please

[CambsCali1958]

Hi - I have 2012 T5 . Have one 160w solar panel installed. Would like to switch to curly cable rather than the straight cable.
Looking at this image of existing setup , is it feasible to install curly cable?
I have tried to contact Roger but not been able to contact him yet.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Many thanks in advance

 

[WelshGas]

Hi - I have 2012 T5 . Have one 160w solar panel installed. Would like to switch to curly cable rather than the straight cable.
View attachment 144577Looking at this image of existing setup , is it feasible to install curly cable?
I have tried to contact Roger but not been able to contact him yet.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Many thanks in advance

Personally I wouldn't bother. I had a straight cable on mine for 10 yrs. Never a problem.

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Finding a curly cable is the hardest part. Solar Camper Solutions won't sell you just the curly cable (well he said no to me when I asked, no offence taken). I found a suitable cable on eBay but it is no longer available.

Looking at you set up (and assuming that panel is glued in place) you need a custom length anyway, as you would be able to move the panel to take up any slack.

 

[Roger Boeken]

Finding a curly cable is the hardest part. Solar Camper Solutions won't sell you just the curly cable (well he said no to me when I asked, no offence taken). I found a suitable cable on eBay but it is no longer available.

Looking at you set up (and assuming that panel is glued in place) you need a custom length anyway, as you would be able to move the panel to take up any slack.

plenty of curly cable available on amazon,look for "spiral cable solar". I would not try to replace the cable. If it works , leave as it is.

 

[CambsCali1958]

Thanks for the advice. I’ll leave as is

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

plenty of curly cable available on amazon,look for "spiral cable solar". I would not try to replace the cable. If it works , leave as it is.

2.5mm2 2 core?

 

[Dizzy]

LSZH cables

PUR cables

 

[sbmcd]

My solar solutions kit arrived today, and fitted this afternoon, no issues with the install, found the instructions were pretty comprehensive.

I went for the curly cable option thinking it would be better for dealing with the elevating roof. Now it's in situ I'm now wondering how to prevent the cable rubbing on the roof and causing paint damage over time as it inevitably moves in the wind.

Helicopter tape or similar would seem a decent solution but I can't be the first one to come across this.

What are others doing to avoid paint damage?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

No need for tape. The cable dosn’t rub at all.

 

[Carl_______________]

I think I have a couple of spare curly cables in my garage that I had made when I installed my solar, I will check when I get home

 

[sbmcd]

No need for tape. The cable dosn’t rub at all.

Thanks for that.

I added protective tape along the the curly cable route anyway, before the rain arrived. I'm probably being a bit of a pedant but my new van is Starlight Blue and the lacquer coat seems to scratch so easily.

 

[Aubisque]

Thanks for that.

I added protective tape along the the curly cable route anyway, before the rain arrived. I'm probably being a bit of a pedant but my new van is Starlight Blue and the lacquer coat seems to scratch so easily.

View attachment 148631

I did exactly the same on my starlight blue.

 

[Perfectos]

Thanks for that.

I added protective tape along the the curly cable route anyway, before the rain arrived. I'm probably being a bit of a pedant but my new van is Starlight Blue and the lacquer coat seems to scratch so easily.

[ATTACH

I put heli tape under my curly cable and where the protective foam touches the roof ( the foam strip traps dirt)

 

[sbmcd]

I put heli tape under my curly cable and where the protective foam touches the roof ( the foam strip traps dirt)

Thanks, good suggestion.

 

[Californication69]

My solar solutions kit arrived today, and fitted this afternoon, no issues with the install, found the instructions were pretty comprehensive.

I went for the curly cable option thinking it would be better for dealing with the elevating roof. Now it's in situ I'm now wondering how to prevent the cable rubbing on the roof and causing paint damage over time as it inevitably moves in the wind.

Helicopter tape or similar would seem a decent solution but I can't be the first one to come across this.

What are others doing to avoid paint damage?

I used helicopter tape. Works great.

 

[Cali Phillip]

I used helicopter tape. Works great.

Tape under my cuddly cable 5 years ago, still good as is the roof. The panels have been good investment, although the first failed, replaced under warranty, at discount and another added to make 200watts.
They definitely help battery life, mine rarely get under 80% and that’s with ~150 off grid camping days a year.