Power it up! Well, get it ready to...

With the solar panels all mounted, its time to get the power from up on the roof down to the goodies inside the van. It was time for the combiner box. And yes, it was another purchase from AM Solar.

Early mockup for the wiring. Need to figure out how to best lay out the wires from the panels. At this point I've already drilled the hole for the 4/2 duplex wire to come up from the interior.

Here's what's holding the combiner box in place, yet more 3M VHB tape. Spaced it across the ribs, and then encircled the access hole to help with the sealing.

The 4/2 power wiring going up through the Thinsulate.

Held in place with another sticky-backed (yes, with VHB) zip-tie mount. Quite handy, those things.

From here the wiring runs in that body channel towards the front of the rear wheelwell, then down to where the electronics and batteries will be mounted.

Time to start bringing the 10/2 wiring into the box. Taking the time to make all the runs nice and neat. You can see the butyl tape squished into the hole for the 4/2 wiring, just one part of a three step sealing. After everything was wired up and checked, the little reservoir there was filled with Dicor sealant. So, 3M VHB perimeter, Dicor, and butyl tape. Not too worried about this hole in the roof.

Also taking the time to double check the polarity from every panel. We had done that at least twice before, and also a couple times when connecting the 10/2 wires to the panels, but still worth another check.

And that's that...  wiring is complete. Quite pleased to be able to show it off a bit, as the cover is going on soon and getting sealed.

What I haven't done is control the last bit of the 10/2 wires from the panels. However its now been over 8 months, no problems. I might have some noticeable paint wear after a few years though, so its still in my mind to elevate them somehow.

Lid is on, screws sealed with Dicor.

Surveying my new solar panel acreage.

A recent photo from my trip this last June. Great overhead view of BoB's roof. That is what 640w of panels looks like. On a good sunny day I can easily see the max of ~32A charge. With the MPPT controller there have been times I've seen 35, 37, and even 40A incoming charge.

Folks often don't believe me when I tell them that except for the vent fan at the rear, the roof is covered in solar panels.