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02-12-2017, 05:26 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Golden
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 60
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2014 30' Bunkhouse - cannot find solar pre-wire
Howdy all! I need some advice before I run my own wires - I cannot find the solar pre-wire anywhere. I have taken the trim off the front and rear fans, and the center sunlight. I have popped rivets off the rear fan surround so I could get my light in there for a better look, and cannot see any wires. I managed to get my hand in to feel around, and nope, no wires.
I'd appreciate any and all advice! I am planning to put in a 6 gauge wire near the front right down to the battery area if I cannot find the pre-wire.
I am installing a single 100W panel at the moment, hence my willingness to use the pre-wire. Obviously the 6g wire will allow a much larger installation in the future if needed.
thanks in advance!
-brad
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02-12-2017, 05:47 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbdo
Howdy all! I need some advice before I run my own wires - I cannot find the solar pre-wire anywhere. I have taken the trim off the front and rear fans, and the center sunlight. I have popped rivets off the rear fan surround so I could get my light in there for a better look, and cannot see any wires. I managed to get my hand in to feel around, and nope, no wires.
I'd appreciate any and all advice! I am planning to put in a 6 gauge wire near the front right down to the battery area if I cannot find the pre-wire.
I am installing a single 100W panel at the moment, hence my willingness to use the pre-wire. Obviously the 6g wire will allow a much larger installation in the future if needed.
thanks in advance!
-brad
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Airstream typically locates the solar pre-wire in the vicinity of the rear Fantastic Fan. If you look at the forward curb side where all of your DC cables enter the trailer from the batteries, you will see the yellow and green 10AWG wires bundles there.
If you have a wire tracer like a 'fox and hound' type, or can borrow one, you can use those to visible wires as the signal source and you can probe around the 'known locations' in the trailer trailer to see if you can get a better idea of exactly the wires might be found.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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02-12-2017, 09:37 PM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Golden
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
Airstream typically locates the solar pre-wire in the vicinity of the rear Fantastic Fan. If you look at the forward curb side where all of your DC cables enter the trailer from the batteries, you will see the yellow and green 10AWG wires bundles there.
If you have a wire tracer like a 'fox and hound' type, or can borrow one, you can use those to visible wires as the signal source and you can probe around the 'known locations' in the trailer trailer to see if you can get a better idea of exactly the wires might be found.
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Thanks Lew - I will try this before giving up!
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02-16-2017, 01:11 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Golden
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 60
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Great advice as always from Lew! And sure enough the pre-wire is running inside my pantry, right next to the vent pipe - right where I have my current connections coming in from my 4G antenna and wifi - so I will not need another penetration! Perfect!
-brad
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02-16-2017, 04:40 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbdo
Great advice as always from Lew! And sure enough the pre-wire is running inside my pantry, right next to the vent pipe - right where I have my current connections coming in from my 4G antenna and wifi - so I will not need another penetration! Perfect!
-brad
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__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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02-16-2017, 07:57 PM
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#6
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Full time Airstreamer
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Anywhere
, USA Living.Somewhere.Yonder
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,359
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbdo
Great advice as always from Lew! And sure enough the pre-wire is running inside my pantry, right next to the vent pipe - right where I have my current connections coming in from my 4G antenna and wifi - so I will not need another penetration! Perfect!
-brad
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Where exactly is it? Tried finding mine in the fan and it didn't seem to be there. Maybe it's in the pantry as well.
__________________
@living.somewhere.yonder | Instagram
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02-17-2017, 11:21 AM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Golden
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ
Where exactly is it? Tried finding mine in the fan and it didn't seem to be there. Maybe it's in the pantry as well.
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In the pantry to the right of the fridge - there is the metal channel on the right, front part of the inside pantry. That comes off with a few screws, and in one of the bigger wire looms you will see the straight yellow and straight green wires.
This is also where the vent pipe goes through, and I had already brought my 4G antenna wire in through the pipe, and re-sealed with duct tape. So I re-used this entry method and didn't have to create any holes in the roof! I used a wire tracer per Lew's recommendation as an FYI, and found the wires right away.
One 100W panel, MPPT controller and hookup took about 1.5 hours or so. I used UHB tape to mount the panel, cleaning the feet area with alcohol. I only wish I had done this sooner!
good luck!
-brad
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02-17-2017, 11:51 AM
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#8
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Full time Airstreamer
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Anywhere
, USA Living.Somewhere.Yonder
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,359
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbdo
In the pantry to the right of the fridge - there is the metal channel on the right, front part of the inside pantry. That comes off with a few screws, and in one of the bigger wire looms you will see the straight yellow and straight green wires.
This is also where the vent pipe goes through, and I had already brought my 4G antenna wire in through the pipe, and re-sealed with duct tape. So I re-used this entry method and didn't have to create any holes in the roof! I used a wire tracer per Lew's recommendation as an FYI, and found the wires right away.
One 100W panel, MPPT controller and hookup took about 1.5 hours or so. I used UHB tape to mount the panel, cleaning the feet area with alcohol. I only wish I had done this sooner!
good luck!
-brad
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Thank you so much! Will look at mine.
__________________
@living.somewhere.yonder | Instagram
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02-17-2017, 12:22 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
2018 28' International
Renton
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 291
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
Airstream typically locates the solar pre-wire in the vicinity of the rear Fantastic Fan. If you look at the forward curb side where all of your DC cables enter the trailer from the batteries, you will see the yellow and green 10AWG wires bundles there.
If you have a wire tracer like a 'fox and hound' type, or can borrow one, you can use those to visible wires as the signal source and you can probe around the 'known locations' in the trailer trailer to see if you can get a better idea of exactly the wires might be found.
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Lew, we have a 2013 23D Flying Cloud. Do you know if Airstream installs prewires in these trailers? Thanks!
__________________
Walt
2018 28 International Serenity
2013 F150 Ecoboost
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02-17-2017, 02:34 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Golden
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wconley
Lew, we have a 2013 23D Flying Cloud. Do you know if Airstream installs prewires in these trailers? Thanks!
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Pretty sure all modern Airstreams are pre-wired. I've read that many times.
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02-18-2017, 08:36 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbdo
Pretty sure all modern Airstreams are pre-wired. I've read that many times.
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Correct-o mundo!!!!!!
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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01-15-2022, 04:12 PM
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#12
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New Member
2015 30' FB FC Bunk
Riverbank
, California
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 3
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I realize the post is old but you guys are amazon. Getting ready to do a solar install on my 2015 Bunk and could not for the life of me find the pre wire, until this post. Thanks so much!
__________________
Family of 4 traveling as often as we can! 2015 30FB Bunk - Pulled by a 2021 3500 Silverado.
-Hank
Central Valley of California
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