Wire runs in coach roof to DC panel
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 445/455/458
Forum Description: 445/455/458 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11967
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:51
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Topic: Wire runs in coach roof to DC panel
Posted By: Bill P
Subject: Wire runs in coach roof to DC panel
Date Posted: 01 June 2020 at 19:40
| I'm planning to install 4x 65W solar panels onto the exterior fiberglass line covers of our H455, having already seen photos posted of this design on myHanse.com. To do this, the wiring for the port and starboard side solar panels will need to penetrate the coach roof and run down to the electrical area located near the port side navigation station. To that end, I'm am trying to locate a pathway or channel that would allow starboard solar panel wiring to travel across to the port side and then drop down to the house battery bank. Wondering if anyone has successfully accomplished this? I'm also seeking any information about how the interior fabric-covered headliner panels attached to the ceiling of the coach roof can be removed for this purpose? |
Replies:
Posted By: Matt1
Date Posted: 02 June 2020 at 15:12
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I fitted a solar panel to my 418 (You may find some info on the 418 thread). I ran the cable down under the port deckhead from the corner of the hatch opening, around the heads bulkhead and then down the coachroof side by the window to the rear of the electrical panel. Dropping the recessed lights out allowed me to find routes. I used a USB endiscope and laptop. An alternative might be to route the wire fwd to the mast and then follow the route from the mast cables (you could probably even pull one out to pull a mousing line through - I did and have left a spare). I seem to remember access from one side to the other under the deckhead molding was pretty difficult due to lots of blobs of adhesive blocking the route ------------- Hanse 418 #64 EmBer. Hamble, UK |
Posted By: Matt1
Date Posted: 02 June 2020 at 15:13
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https://www.myhanse.com/solar-panels-on-hatch-garage_topic11343.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.myhanse.com/solar-panels-on-hatch-garage_topic11343.html Here is the solar panel thread ------------- Hanse 418 #64 EmBer. Hamble, UK |
Posted By: Matt1
Date Posted: 02 June 2020 at 15:25
This was the route. As S&J said about dropping the light out by the companionway. Unfortunately I couldn't get the cable to turn the corner from the coachroof side to the deckhead as the angle was too tight, so I had to remove the pelmet for the blind, drill a small hole to ease the cable round. The Pelmet covers the hole once refitted. Hope the picture helps. Oh and I chickened out of pulling the fabric panels down. Mine were very secure and I suspect glued on rather than veclro or fastenings. Shame as that would have made everything a lot easier! ------------- Hanse 418 #64 EmBer. Hamble, UK |
Posted By: Bill P
Date Posted: 04 June 2020 at 17:27
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Thank you for responding so quickly. This is a tough challenge, so I appreciate any experienced input that can be gotten. Once I solve for our particular situation, I will what we end up doing along with photos showing the route that worked for us. Also, I'm still hoping to hear from Hanse about how the ceiling panels are attached to the headliner, and assuming they respond will post what I learn.
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Posted By: 32mike
Date Posted: 15 July 2020 at 19:05
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Did you find an answer as to how the fabric panels are attached. My broker seems to think that they are velcroed but they seem a little more secure than that. ------------- Mike S/V Dulces Sueños 458 #087 Tampa, FL |
Posted By: Aeolian
Date Posted: 29 January 2021 at 01:51
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Love the details in the thread so far. I am about to run into similar problem with my new solar install for Aeolian. Would love to see updated pictures if anyone has them of how they routed their wiring and/or information on how to remove the ceiling panels. Best, Jared ------------- Jared Rodgers Seattle, WA Hanse 458 - Aeolian |
Posted By: Ian Coverdale
Date Posted: 29 January 2021 at 19:19
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Hi, This is much easier than you think! Take the wires forward in the roof void to the salon forward bulkhead, then to port in the mast cable duct (removeble panel held by velcro) then back down the port side either at high level below bulwark or down past the holding tank (if fitted in salon) and back behind the couch. We ran four 6mm2 solar cables by this route in a couple of hours. We simply popped out the celing lights passing cables from one light fitting hole to the next. We used 6mm2 cable to reduce losses as this route is longer than a direct route but far easier to use. We used a borescope type camera above ceiling; the only route from ceiling directly towards electrical panel is RAMMED with cables and unrealistic to force any cables at all via that route unless Hanse changed the moldings on later models that is. Cheers. ------------- Ian & Andrea SV Gabrielle (H445) Liveaboards - currently Montenegro. www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle |
Posted By: Matt1
Date Posted: 30 January 2021 at 07:20
It is if you are lucky enough to be able to go fwd. Unfortunately I found there was no route forwards available on my 418 (neither was there a dedicated conduit from the underside of the mast). My route fwd was blocked by copious grp tanning of the deck head to the coachroof. Not sure how consistently Hanse have built their models over the years, it’s of course possible different models or different boats within a model range may have less tabbing or for it to have been placed / squeezed differently during manufacture. Good luck everyone and be patient! You WILL succeed ;) ------------- Hanse 418 #64 EmBer. Hamble, UK |
Ian Coverdale wrote:Posted By: G8WVW
Date Posted: 30 January 2021 at 13:10
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Hi Matt. Yes of course it depends on the model. This query relates to 445/455/458. My experience was with a 445 which is identical in hull/interior to latter 455/458 however the deck moulding is different in many areas from cockpit to portlight layout so may be some different challenges there. I found a £35 borescope camera from Amazon invaluable in my explorations. Thanks, Ian. ------------- Andrea & Ian Aboard SV Gabrielle (H445 #164) Portishead, SW England. |
Posted By: S&J
Date Posted: 06 June 2021 at 22:30
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I'm stuck trying to get cables (in any direction) from the spotlight above the chart table. This is where my two 6mm2 solar cables will come through the deck. I have tried going aft of the saloon widow but that seems a solid moulding. Also tried from the companionway light which I used in the 385 but there seems to be a solid bulkhead between that and the heads / holding tank area. I have removed to forward-most light in the saloon and cannot see any way past the main carbon bulkhead / mast compression. Sadly no mast cable duct with velcro cover as Ian has described on the 445. I'm about to give up on using the hatch garage as a location for the solar and start looking at the area in front of the jib track. Has anyone installed a panel here on a 458? ------------- H458 #159 Primal Mediterranean cruising |
Posted By: 32mike
Date Posted: 09 June 2021 at 20:57
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I haven’t tried installing cables yet, but I looked around with a fiber optic camera. It seemed possible to run cables from port side of the companionway at the top and down through the ceiling/bulkhead between the port berth and the engine compartment. From there, there is a relatively easy path under the bed to the hanging locker. There is an empty 1 1/2 inch plastic cable conduit which runs from the void aft of the cabin, under the mattress, to the hanging locker then behind or under the head to the electrical area under the nav table. The conduit is split in the hanging locker for cable ingress. You’d have to cut a couple holes along that path but they would be out of view. I had to snake a wire through that conduit for something else. It wasn’t easy because I think there is a big turn or just other cables in the vicinity of the exit. It took some rotation of the snake to get it through. I left a mousing string in there for future use. ------------- Mike S/V Dulces Sueños 458 #087 Tampa, FL |
Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 09 June 2021 at 23:51
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I have used the same conduit to run a number of cables forward. You are right about the turn, there is a right angle (near enough) just before the DC panel. Leaving a length of line through it is a must. ------------- HANSE 445 #231 "ALBION" |
Posted By: cptnmac
Date Posted: 11 June 2021 at 14:54
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Have your asked your dealer, they have access to detailed build plans on every aspect of the boat and may have something that can help you plan the best cabling route. ------------- H458 spring 2021 delivery | Ben323 sold |