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Old 02-23-2020, 11:52 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Ontario
Posts: 7
THOR #5140
Question 2016 Thor Ace 294 Solar Install

I have a 2016 Thor Ace 294 and plan on putting a 100 watt solar panel on the roof to keep the batteries topped up during the off season when it is in the storage yard and not being used. I plan on mounting it next to the fridge vent cap and running the wires down the vent shaft. I can see the wires from the fridge in the cabinet underneath the fridge but that space is full of heating ducts and the propane furnace. Has anyone else run the wiring this way? If so, how did you get from this area to the battery compartment on the opposite side of the motorhome.

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Old 02-24-2020, 01:02 AM   #2
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Model: 25.2 Axis
State: Arizona
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THOR #3471
Are you sure the wires for solar are already up there
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Old 02-24-2020, 01:38 AM   #3
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Thor ACE 294 Solar Panel Installation

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh.vines@att.net View Post
Are you sure the wires for solar are already up there
No there is no factory rough in on my rig for solar. This will be a new install from tip to tip, which is why I plan on running the wires down the fridge vent shaft.
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Old 02-24-2020, 01:41 AM   #4
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Are your battery’s under steps
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Old 02-24-2020, 03:30 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh.vines@att.net View Post
Are your battery’s under steps
No they are in a compartment behind the rear wheels on the passenger side.
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Old 02-24-2020, 02:40 PM   #6
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: '17-Vegas 24.1
State: California
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My recommendation, based on your floorplan (fridge on driver's side, house batteries on passenger side):
1) run wire down fridge vent as planned
2) then run wires all the way down thru floor (all you need is a small 1/4"-3/8" hole to run wires thru)
3) once thru floor (caulk hole with silicone on inside and underside), run across rig, place wire-loom over bare wires, fasten with zip-ties
4) go back up thru floor to the location where you desire the solar controller. I assume at or near your entrance door (don't caulk hole until after #5)
5) then your final wire runs from controller to battery compartment by going back down thru the same hole as #4 (again with wire-loom and zip-ties)
6) then caulk hole with silicone

For this long run...I would use a minimum #10 gauge wire, maybe even #8 if plans are to add more panels in the future

One last thing, for this mod...100 watt solar panels cost just $100, so I would install two 100 watt panels on your roof or one large 175-200 watt since you are going to all the time & trouble to do this.
The increased wattage will add value and provide more use for you when boon-docking (since your fridge is elec/propane, not an electric only residential)
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