Need to pull a pair of AWG 6 cables from solar through the roof. When I look at some photos here, it looks like people are able to pull 2* AWG 4 through 3/4 conduit connectors. I don't have cables yet, will order when will know the exact length, and it will be AWG 6 welding cable. From what I know, AWG 4 is 0.4" OD including insulation. AWG 6 has 0.35-0.39" OD. It would be nice to use 3/4" connectors - those 1" are huge, I just have doubts. Are you guys squeezing cables to death, when routing them through the roof? Rubber insulation will give a little, alright, but is it good for cables to be pressed together, with 12-15 A current?PS: In case if somebody is wondering what the heck I'm talking about :) , here is an old thread, see photo 8 from the bottom, it shows roof junction box. And there were other, can't find it now, also with 3/4" connectors. I know those connectors, they must be 3/4.

Could you route the cables down the refrigerator roof vent??Or possibly along side the plumbing system vent??You should post the type and model of your RV. -Tom

According to the electrical code, you shouldn't. It won't breath well enough to keep the wires cool at max load which will defeat the use of those big 6awg wires.

Just two #4 wires would leave quite a bit of space. They sell electrical lube for pulling wires through conduit.

AWG 6 = .39" diam X 2 = .78". AVG 4 = .40" x 2 = .80". 3/4 conduit is .75" OUTSIDE diameter Makes for a tight squeeze. Any bends or elbows would be even worse. You would probably have to go to 1" conduit.

i guess i am confused why you need to run welding cables, is this for a 12 volt system or a 120 volt. 2 number 6 thhn style wires which is designed to go into conduit have a thinner coating on them will have no issue at all in a 3/4 pipe the welding cable is much thicker because of the exposure that it comes in contact with when it is used as a welding cable and also the 12 to 15 amps that you talk about is far below what a number 6 gauge wire is rated for which is somewhere around 60 amps or so

Can you pull 2*6 AWG through 3/4" conduit? | Good Sam Community

Tom_N
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
Could you route the cables down the refrigerator roof vent??

Or possibly along side the plumbing system vent??

You should post the type and model of your RV.

-Tom
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 11, 2013
According to the electrical code, you shouldn't. It won't breath well enough to keep the wires cool at max load which will defeat the use of those big 6awg wires.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
Just two #4 wires would leave quite a bit of space. They sell electrical lube for pulling wires through conduit.
stubblejumper
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
AWG 6 = .39" diam X 2 = .78". AVG 4 = .40" x 2 = .80". 3/4 conduit is .75" OUTSIDE diameter Makes for a tight squeeze. Any bends or elbows would be even worse. You would probably have to go to 1" conduit.
24rules
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
i guess i am confused why you need to run welding cables, is this for a 12 volt system or a 120 volt. 2 number 6 thhn style wires which is designed to go into conduit have a thinner coating on them will have no issue at all in a 3/4 pipe the welding cable is much thicker because of the exposure that it comes in contact with when it is used as a welding cable and also the 12 to 15 amps that you talk about is far below what a number 6 gauge wire is rated for which is somewhere around 60 amps or so
Almot
Explorer III
Jul 11, 2013
WyoTraveler wrote:
Just two #4 wires would leave quite a bit of space.

In 3/4" hole?

24rules - this is for 30V solar. Thinking of welding cable because it's cheaper than marine cable.
24rules
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
if you are going to put it in conduit why the heavy coated wire though
Almot
Explorer III
Jul 11, 2013
stubblejumper wrote:
3/4 conduit is .75" OUTSIDE diameter

Alright, I think the mystery is solved. The one on the photo is a 3/4 Liquidtight nonmetallic flexible conduit (and plastic fitting for the same). They are 0.81" ID. But I can't - don't want - to use those fittings because they are too short to work as a fastener to plywood. Conduit is not needed on the roof - but the fitting is. It's tough being stupid, have to follow in other people steps :) ...

There is such thing as "3/4 Threaded PVC pipe nipple" 3/4 NPT 3/4" ID. So the question is - exactly how thick is #6 welding cable like this one? It says 0.38", doesn't it...

24rules wrote:
if you are going to put it in conduit why the heavy coated wire though

What else is out there? Something that I can run from the roof J-box into the rig, and then along the wall (partially in the cabinets), and to the controller. Few feet of the welding cable on the roof I can cover with a split wire loom, seems easy.
time2roll
Nomad
Jul 11, 2013
12-15 amps... if the #6 physically fits you are fine. I would go #10 max or kill it with #8.
Almot
Explorer III
Jul 11, 2013
Ops... SMK - my bad - it's series connection, 60V @ 8A max. There is #12 from panels to the J-box, but then I'd like #6 - at the very least.

Ok, looks like it will be 1" threaded pipe nipple through the roof. Or a frig vent without any darn fittings through the roof. Need to think.