Cable routing for solar setup

[timhowes]

Hi all

I've scoured these and other forums for some time to try to get this clear in my head, but have failed - apologies if this is routine stuff that I should know already, but here goes...

Have solar panel rigged to rear end of AFT. Will be drilling holes to pass the 2 cables through. Have found grommet.

Have mounted solar controller under glove box at front of bus, routed cables through grommet to LB.

So - just the cable routing from panel to controller to do. If I want to hide the cable, do I need to remove all the o/s trim around the windows, or can I just push through (maybe with some stiff wire) from inside the grommet at the rear of the AFT and hope for the best? What happens at the B pillar? And if removing trim, should I buy the correct tool or just wing it? Will the tool help me not lose the spring clips?

I'm hoping at the B pillar I can go under the driver's step and behind the pedals, over to the other side.

I guess this must be simple as many have said it is, but I can't really imagine how!

Thanks in anticipation...
Tim

[Bob]

I'm no expert, but you could try the wire that's used for net curtains.

Cheap and can't do any harm.

[the1andonly]

The puka tool for the job

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10M-Cable-Acc ... SwYGFUtoPs

[Bob]

Fancy one of those for the tool box.

[the1andonly]

Fancy one of those for the tool box.

i used someone elses toolbox
cracking kit.

[Alan2016]

Is there a particular tool for dealing with the clips on the trim and stopping them pinging off into the distance or is it just a matter of pulling carefully?

[Bob]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/11132412 ... 2928077758

[Bongoplod]

Bob wrote

" http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/11132412 ... 2928077758 "

Wow,includes a tick removal tool!!

Brian

[Bob]

Never got many ticks on my school work.

[Alan2016]

Nice one, thanks

[timhowes]

Thanks all for the replies.

I'm sorry to say I'm still a bit unclear! Do I just get my hands on some of those push/pull rods and go "blind" once I'm through the grommet? What happens then when I get to the B pillar?

I've picked up a trim tool so might just get lairy with the van and take everything off...

[Bob]

I'd try feeding the wire or rods into the grommet and see where you go.

You'll likely need an assistant and with luck will be able to hear where its going then remove trim as necessary.

With the cutrain wire you can often persuade it to go where you want by bending the end few inches to about 30/45 degrees.

Good luck.

[jaylee]

Hi all

I've scoured these and other forums for some time to try to get this clear in my head, but have failed - apologies if this is routine stuff that I should know already, but here goes...

Have solar panel rigged to rear end of AFT. Will be drilling holes to pass the 2 cables through. Have found grommet.

Have mounted solar controller under glove box at front of bus, routed cables through grommet to LB.

So - just the cable routing from panel to controller to do. If I want to hide the cable, do I need to remove all the o/s trim around the windows, or can I just push through (maybe with some stiff wire) from inside the grommet at the rear of the AFT and hope for the best? What happens at the B pillar? And if removing trim, should I buy the correct tool or just wing it? Will the tool help me not lose the spring clips?

I'm hoping at the B pillar I can go under the driver's step and behind the pedals, over to the other side.

I guess this must be simple as many have said it is, but I can't really imagine how!

Thanks in anticipation...
Tim

Hi,

I've run a cable for a reversing camera from the back along the passenger side to the back of the radio.. Same principle!
You should be able to just push the wire between the roof liner & the trim tucking it in as you move to the front? (From memory) unscrewing the grab handles make it easier.. Take the wires over the front passenger door & remove the A pillar trim carefully. (Unscrew the grab handle & pull the door rubber forward from the top down to where the frond door hinges are. The A pillar trim should pop out at the top & then lift up and out off the body work & end dash it's hooked into at the bottom.) Then follow the wiring loom down behind the A pillar trim behind the side of the dash board & come out behind the glove box....

Hope this helps..?!

[timhowes]

Thanks for that Jaylee

I did eventually get it sorted yesterday afternoon! For the benefit of anyone searching this in future I'm going to describe

Described for unconverted, 2001 AFT

1. From hole drilled in AFT, route cables through rear O/S rubber grommet into roof space
2. Remove 2 plastic bungs covering holes in trim in rear O/S corner
3. Using these holes, feed cables down and backwards (aiming for light cluster). Gently bend trim behind seatbelt to see where cables are going and coax them in the right direction. Need to go to bottom of window
4. Remove plastic cubby hole by rear O/S seat (single screw and lift out) - reach up towards rear seatbelt and grab cable end
5. Remove same plastic cubby hole by middle O/S seat
6. Fix 1m long rod (I used bamboo cane) to cable end and feed forwards under the trim
7. At B pillar (driver's seatbelt trim) use your push rod to aim for the bottom corner of the trim - by the step.

You can then easily remove the step (gently - watch the metal spring clips don't ping off too far) and route your cable wherever you like from there.

[Bob]

Thanks for that.