Wiring through the roof?

MichaelJ
MichaelJ Registered Users Posts: 23 ✭✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
I've just received my Kyocera 135 watt panel, charge controller and 50' MC4 cable. The panel will be mounted on the (atteched) garage roof. A single 12v deep cycle battery will be charged and used to recharge a laptop computer.

We have snow in winter, no more than 3' once or twice. I plan to run the wiring through the roof, and that's my question. With 2' - 3' of exposed wiring, should I run it in conduit? And if so, steel or pvc? Also, is there some kind of fitting to go though the roof?

Thank you, Mike
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Wiring through the roof?

    Going through the roof, I'd use a 2" pipe, and a regular plumbing "roof jack" like is used on vent pipes on a roof. Put a 180 bend so water won't get up in it, and it should work. Could even make it out of eletrical PVC. There are also "cable heads" for pipe, for roofs, that are watertight too.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
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  • ggunn
    ggunn Solar Expert Posts: 1,973 ✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: Wiring through the roof?
    MichaelJ wrote: »
    I've just received my Kyocera 135 watt panel, charge controller and 50' MC4 cable. The panel will be mounted on the (atteched) garage roof. A single 12v deep cycle battery will be charged and used to recharge a laptop computer.

    We have snow in winter, no more than 3' once or twice. I plan to run the wiring through the roof, and that's my question. With 2' - 3' of exposed wiring, should I run it in conduit? And if so, steel or pvc? Also, is there some kind of fitting to go though the roof?

    Thank you, Mike

    This gear is made especially for that:
    http://www.rstcenterprises.com/soladeck/

    And yes, any wiring that goes through interior space needs to be in conduit. Check local building codes, but I'd guess EMT.
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,654 admin
    #4
    Re: Wiring through the roof?

    Regarding wiring on roof--do you have problems with squirrels, rats, and and other animals who like to chew wiring/nest under overhangs? If so--More metal conduit will help.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • MichaelJ
    MichaelJ Registered Users Posts: 23 ✭✭
    #5
    Re: Wiring through the roof?

    Thanks for the thoughtful replies. My wife solved the problem by asking if I could just go through the wall instead. She must have sensed my concern. So, with
    6' of conduit and fittings, I'm set. The four mounting bolts present no problem.

    Mike
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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,011 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: Wiring through the roof?

    "My wife solved the problem..."

    They tend to do that...

    "Wiring through the roof? "

    I thought you had just seen the price of copper lately, I'll run away now...
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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