I see most route their solar cables down the fridge vent and do so on the side opposite the flue. Is there any concern for the amount of heat generated by fridge, especially on a HOT sunny day. I was told the heat will add resistance to the cables and they will deteriorate quickly and can cause failure of the cables, panels or controller.Any thoughts?

SFVdave wrote:I see most route their solar cables down the fridge vent and do so on the side opposite the flue. Is there any concern for the amount of heat generated by fridge, especially on a HOT sunny day. I was told the heat will add resistance to the cables and they will deteriorate quickly and can cause failure of the cables, panels or controller.Any thoughts? I used PVC water pipe to protect the wires from direct contact and heat. I had no issues due to heat. Good luck!

You don't have to route the cable all the way to the bottom. I routed the cable out of the fridge cabinet through the interior sidewall near ceiling. This is a shared wall of fridge cabinet and top kitchen cabinet, easy 1/4" plywood. The exit hole from fridge cab was sealed with spray foam. So the cable length inside the fridge cabinet is only 1 foot. From there it goes along the top cabinet near ceiling, exits the cabinet and continues along the ceiling all the way to the front of the trailer where it enters the bedroom cabinet - again near ceiling. Then down the sloped front wall inside the cabinet, and outside/down to the battery through the night table near bed.Resistance loss depends on the current. Mine are 24V panels, 8A current at best, so I wasn't worried about this either.

I ran mine down the side pretty much between the paneling and insulation. I would be more concerned about sizing properly. If it was that hot in that compartment I think the cheap paneling or plywood would be the real risk. Dont let them lay against any piping and leave a little slack here or there for future work if needed. Use plastic strain reliefs and plastic cable clamps to fasten everything neatly.

It's a good idea to keep them away from the chimney flueAnd no reason not to do so, if you are using the fridge compartmentLike many of us do

grizzzman wrote:SFVdave wrote:I see most route their solar cables down the fridge vent and do so on the side opposite the flue. Is there any concern for the amount of heat generated by fridge, especially on a HOT sunny day. I was told the heat will add resistance to the cables and they will deteriorate quickly and can cause failure of the cables, panels or controller.Any thoughts? I used PVC water pipe to protect the wires from direct contact and heat. I had no issues due to heat. Good luck!PVC has a lower temp rating than a good quality (temp-wise) wire. Keep both of them away from the flue. Also, being in a conduit lowers the temp rating of all wires vs. open to air.

Question about Routing solar cables down fridge vent

30 Replies

Almot
Explorer III
Jul 01, 2016
SCVJeff wrote:
Please fix THIS

Ops. Fixed This.

Item 7807K34 at mcmaster.com.
JFNM
Explorer
Jun 30, 2016
Just another data point.... I ran my cables down the fridge vent a couple years ago and no problems (full-timer). As noted by others, avoid the hot parts and secure to avoid rubbing on things.
SCVJeff
Explorer
Jun 30, 2016
If you are asking about a J-Box, I used THIS on the roof. It's painted epoxy white and mounted next to the vent. It sits in a pool of Dicor and is water tight. There is a diagonal hole from the box into the fridge flue running 8ga. In slitwrap and down.. EZ

Since this pic there are three more cables coming out
SCVJeff
Explorer
Jun 30, 2016
Almot wrote:
What you want is This.

2 holes for 2 round cables #10, nice and watertight.

Those Home Depot fittings will be less watertight, though you could add Dicor into the hole (and then it will make difficult taking it apart).

But I think there shouldn't be problem with rain coming around the fitting or through the cable holes of that HD fitting. The cover above will keep it dry.

What IS the problem is attaching the nut to fitting inside the vent. I had to cut the mesh for that.
Please fix THIS
Almot
Explorer III
Jun 29, 2016
What you want is This.

2 holes for 2 round cables #10, nice and watertight.

Those Home Depot fittings will be less watertight, though you could add Dicor into the hole (and then it will make difficult taking it apart).

But I think there shouldn't be problem with rain coming around the fitting or through the cable holes of that HD fitting. The cover above will keep it dry.

What IS the problem is attaching the nut to fitting inside the vent. I had to cut the mesh for that.
SFVdave
Explorer
Jun 29, 2016
Thanks for all the posts. Piked up the Water tight connector
Way too hot to do anything today. Yes will go high and I have a plan to get the conduit locknut on pulling the nut up with string and using s bend hanger to catch it and screw it on.
azrving
Explorer
Jun 29, 2016
Yes, you do want to use sealer on the strain relief threads. Dicor or 5200. Dont drill them low, try to stay high but check the cover fit.
SFVdave
Explorer
Jun 29, 2016
On my way to Home Depot to see what they have. I like either the metal or plastic stress relief fitting.
westend
Explorer
Jun 29, 2016
I can't remember the source but there is a terminal block made for fridge vent installations. It attaches to the vent base and wires are connected at that block. If pulling wires directly from roof top to controller, a grommet is the easiest and there are a variety of them made.

Home Depot sells these Box entry fittings that are weather-proof. I used one on my roof top combiner box. It accepts two MC4 wires. I put some caulk on the entrance just to make sure everything is water tight. If you're able to make a hole in the fridge vent base, this fitting will be all you need and it is metal so won't be breaking or deteriorating from heat or UV.
MrWizard
Moderator
Jun 29, 2016
Mine goes thru the mesh
I think most users do it that way
I don't want a hole in the vent base for rain water to come thru into the fridge compartment
A good thunder storm can create a lot of run off and some standing water against vents