Good, practical solution! They used to call those 'Vent Visers'. The most important part to keep out water is to have some of the cable lower then where it goes into the car. That allows any water to drip off before it enters. The way you ran it automatically does that when looping under the plastic.
Excellent point.I think with this setup at the rain guards, it's great because it automatically creates that little bend, unlike some set ups I've seen where the wire ran straight into the window.
Good thinking. You can make a strip as thick as window glass and just an inch smaller than its width. Glue in a rubber strip on bottom (long side) and stick it in top side of your door frame where the window would close. Thus you should be able to shut tight the window and not have either wind or noise or water issue. Can create a small rubber grommet for the cables as an additional sealing.
I like your set up. Putting a hole in my roof is a hard sale for me as well, I like your idea of just unplugging the wires and just plug it back in when you are at your destination. I like this idea because I have a battery isolator that can charge the battery’s when I’m driving. Awesome thanks!
I'm glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching. And yeah, more power to the people who have no problem drilling a hole in the roof, but that's not something I was prepared to do.
FINALLY a solution ! been digging my head to solve this for so long 😅 that's a great idea, just cover the gap 😛 I've been having nights looking at water dripping along the cable inside the car wondering why is this so complicated to solve 😂 thanks, nice concept 😎 I added a kind of rubber band along the top of the window that merges into the window, so it's mostly closed. but with this it will be rainproof 🤩
I’ve had vent visors on several vehicles, over the course of many years. I always travel with the rear windows down 1/4”-1/2” I’ve never had any rain or road spray come in. However I definitely close all the windows going through car washes.
Yeah, I can definitely see wanting to close them when going through a car wash! Good to know you haven't had any leakage coming in through the open windows. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Interesting idea. Glad it is working for you because off grid power is a must on extended travels. In my 1995 cargo van, a 1/2" hole in the roof wouldn't matter. However, I just purchased a brand new 2019 Mini-SUV and drilling holes anywhere is not an option. I refuse to alter the vehicle in ANY way whatsoever. I too thought about rain guards over my windows. Some brands last and remain looking shiny and others get foggy, dull and nasty looking after being exposed to the weather for a year or so. Still better than drilling holes in a nice vehicle.
Regarding your window mesh screens (fly screens) My idea is to use magnet strips that I got from out of old fridge seals and just put them on the outside when I needed. I intended to use them inside a van to hold privacy/light block sun screens, but I just have a station wagon now so thought I could use them on the outside where they will stick for fly screens. I was going to hot glue the magnet strips to the fly screen, but I don't think I'll need it (if it sticks over the flyscreen) and that means I can still roll up the screens for easier packing away
I too have looked for a solution to running the solar cables from the roof to (charge controller) but I'm not crazy about your solution either although better than what I've seen elsewhere. Today, May 2022, I've discovered a new retention product for attaching the solar panel to the roof (heavy duty magnetic brackets) - this has renewed my interest in mounting a small 75 watt panel to the roof of my 2019 4runner. Ideally running the cables through a "hole in the roof" would look cosmetically okay but then there's the argument of selling the vehicle in the future and also leak issues. So, I may try a different approach. My vehicle is all black. I have a magnet dual frequency ham antenna mounted on the roof using black duct tape to hold down the cables with same being routed through RR passenger door - not ideal but works. My point is the tape has worked for almost two years to hold down the ant cable. So my thinking is why not run the solar cables down the passenger side A pillar and into the engine cowl using black duct tape to hold them in place? It should prove to be almost invisible if care is taken applying the tape. I know it's a pain in the butt to remove the duct tape adhesive but beats drilling holes and should look better than cables hanging in the wind going through an open window with lots of wind noise. Think I've talk myself into trying it....
I'm thinking of using a piece of plastic H or h trim. But I might go with the pool noodle (thanks to Charles Butcher comment). How many uses are there for these noodles?
Hmmmm. I have been thinking about a suitcase model but now I need to think this through a little. My biggest reason for thinking portable was so I could park my car in the shade and put my panels in the sun BUT it's a pretty big thing to try to store in the car. I did follow your lead and get those reflector things - they went on in minutes and look great too.
I think that suitcase solar panels are appealing at first glance because you don't have to attach them in any way, but they just seem like a lot of hassle to me. Apart from having to deal with the thing when it's not being used, it just wouldn't make sense with the way I travel. I spend the day on the move and stay put only in the early mornings and later in the day. So that means I don't really have the time or space to put a suitcase panel out during the day. Only in the mornings and late afternoons, when the sun is weakest in the sky anyway. But with the panel mounted to my cargo box, it gets sun all day. I don't have to worry about putting it out and taking it down. And if I needed to park in the shade but still charge my solar panel, I could just take 3 minutes and unscrew the panel from the cargo box and set it out in the sun.
I also didnt want to drill a hole but I dont like having to leave a window open the whole time.. I ended up drilling a hole but will put a box over the top
PS Do u have a quick disconnect for when you quickly park in the city to eat dinner or when you go on long hikes? I guess its from the controller end, not the cargo box. If I left a window open when I was asleep or out of camp, the bears and raccoons would surely smell something and come a snarfling. A cracked window is enough for them to get pry with their claws.
I really enjoy your thoughtful and well presented videos on these topics. I’m curious if you considered placing the battery and charge controller box in the rooftop gear bin. Advantages would be shorter cable run from panel, avoiding voltage drop, and no concern about batteries off gassing. Also a skinnier USB cable running from bin into car can carry voltage without much of a drop. Minuses might be more exposure to temperature extremes for batteries up in the bin, and I guess the inverter would still be inside car fed by a cable.... Trying to decide on plans for my own setup. Thanks,
Hi Matthew. I can see why you'd want to do that theoretically, but practically speaking I don't see why you would. I mostly I think that would just be a massive pain. When it's in my car, I can reach down, turn the inverter on, easily plug and unplug items, etc. Voltage drop isn't an issue unless you're running really long cables. Off-gassing isn't a big enough issue to be worried about. Hefting the heavy (40-50 lbs) battery box up into the cargo box would be extremely difficult, and you'd basically never want to move it again once it's up there, whereas I can pretty easily move mine in and out of the car. Give it a shot and let me know how it goes, but I just don't really see how that's a better solution.
SUV RVing Thanks for the reply. Your points are well taken. I can appreciate that having the weight of the batteries down low is a big plus. Look forward to following the rest of your latest adventure. Safe travels out there,
Can you send me a link to your solar panel please ???? thank you for your videos. I have a very similar box. Yours looks like a older yakima rocket box.
Are your wind deflectors meant to sit on the surface of your window frame like that? Usually they tuck up between the window frame and the rubber seal so your window frame still appears flush and stock from outside.
Yes, I do love your vids... I’ve been so reserved going out on my own... don’t mind if I’m close to my SUV, but I’d rather hike with others, or at least another... happy trails❤️
My rant is not aimed at you, but at the world. How can people be worried about scratches when they camp? I always try to keep my plethora of used cars, vans and minivans in good resale condition, but getting a vehicle into just the right campsite in desert and forest conditions while avoiding root systems by a fraction of a foot means getting brush scratches everywhere always, so who cares about a few scratches from cables on the roof? After all that fancy toy camping, cant one just afford a paint job before a some-day resale?? I feel like there is something weird in our culture where mud is manly and cool, but dust and scratches are considered uncouth and warrant some sore of leprosy scare for fear of poverty contagion.
It looks a little messy but if it works it works! Alternatively if your 4x4 has a snorkel you can easily tuck the wires/cable so they run down the inside of it. No one would even know at first glance!
Those of us that drive older vehicles don't have this concern. We can drill that hole with out concern! ;-) Although older vehicles can die as I found with mine :-( Thanks for another good video.
Every time I have a question, I end up randomly at one of your videos. You're the boss. Thank you!
Good, practical solution! They used to call those 'Vent Visers'. The most important part to keep out water is to have some of the cable lower then where it goes into the car. That allows any water to drip off before it enters. The way you ran it automatically does that when looping under the plastic.
Exactly. Water dripping in was the main concern, but it's not really an issue with this kind of setup. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Excellent point.I think with this setup at the rain guards, it's great because it automatically creates that little bend, unlike some set ups I've seen where the wire ran straight into the window.
Good thinking. You can make a strip as thick as window glass and just an inch smaller than its width. Glue in a rubber strip on bottom (long side) and stick it in top side of your door frame where the window would close. Thus you should be able to shut tight the window and not have either wind or noise or water issue. Can create a small rubber grommet for the cables as an additional sealing.
lol exactly what I did 😅👌🏽 so funny to see other people across the planet have same issues (and solutions !) 😁
I like your set up. Putting a hole in my roof is a hard sale for me as well, I like your idea of just unplugging the wires and just plug it back in when you are at your destination. I like this idea because I have a battery isolator that can charge the battery’s when I’m driving. Awesome thanks!
I'm glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching. And yeah, more power to the people who have no problem drilling a hole in the roof, but that's not something I was prepared to do.
FINALLY a solution ! been digging my head to solve this for so long 😅 that's a great idea, just cover the gap 😛 I've been having nights looking at water dripping along the cable inside the car wondering why is this so complicated to solve 😂 thanks, nice concept 😎 I added a kind of rubber band along the top of the window that merges into the window, so it's mostly closed. but with this it will be rainproof 🤩
What did you use to cover the gap?
I’ve had vent visors on several vehicles, over the course of many years. I always travel with the rear windows down 1/4”-1/2” I’ve never had any rain or road spray come in. However I definitely close all the windows going through car washes.
Yeah, I can definitely see wanting to close them when going through a car wash! Good to know you haven't had any leakage coming in through the open windows. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Good to know!
Interesting idea. Glad it is working for you because off grid power is a must on extended travels. In my 1995 cargo van, a 1/2" hole in the roof wouldn't matter. However, I just purchased a brand new 2019 Mini-SUV and drilling holes anywhere is not an option. I refuse to alter the vehicle in ANY way whatsoever. I too thought about rain guards over my windows. Some brands last and remain looking shiny and others get foggy, dull and nasty looking after being exposed to the weather for a year or so. Still better than drilling holes in a nice vehicle.
I agree, modifying the vehicle in any way was just not an option for me. This method has continued to work well for me. Thanks for watching!
Well this certainly explains you thinking. Makes sense and no damage to the vehicle. I am thinking about doing something very similar. Thank you.
Give it a shot! It works well for me. Thanks for watching :)
Regarding your window mesh screens (fly screens) My idea is to use magnet strips that I got from out of old fridge seals and just put them on the outside when I needed. I intended to use them inside a van to hold privacy/light block sun screens, but I just have a station wagon now so thought I could use them on the outside where they will stick for fly screens. I was going to hot glue the magnet strips to the fly screen, but I don't think I'll need it (if it sticks over the flyscreen) and that means I can still roll up the screens for easier packing away
Yep, assuming the magnetic strips will stick securely to the window screen, that'll work. Thanks for watching.
I too have looked for a solution to running the solar cables from the roof to (charge controller) but I'm not crazy about your solution either although better than what I've seen elsewhere. Today, May 2022, I've discovered a new retention product for attaching the solar panel to the roof (heavy duty magnetic brackets) - this has renewed my interest in mounting a small 75 watt panel to the roof of my 2019 4runner. Ideally running the cables through a "hole in the roof" would look cosmetically okay but then there's the argument of selling the vehicle in the future and also leak issues. So, I may try a different approach. My vehicle is all black. I have a magnet dual frequency ham antenna mounted on the roof using black duct tape to hold down the cables with same being routed through RR passenger door - not ideal but works. My point is the tape has worked for almost two years to hold down the ant cable. So my thinking is why not run the solar cables down the passenger side A pillar and into the engine cowl using black duct tape to hold them in place? It should prove to be almost invisible if care is taken applying the tape. I know it's a pain in the butt to remove the duct tape adhesive but beats drilling holes and should look better than cables hanging in the wind going through an open window with lots of wind noise. Think I've talk myself into trying it....
I'm thinking of using a piece of plastic H or h trim. But I might go with the pool noodle (thanks to Charles Butcher comment). How many uses are there for these noodles?
No idea. But I ended up just closing the window up all the way. It kinks the cable a little bit but otherwise works great.
Great idea!
How did u mount solar panel on thule box?
Hmmmm. I have been thinking about a suitcase model but now I need to think this through a little. My biggest reason for thinking portable was so I could park my car in the shade and put my panels in the sun BUT it's a pretty big thing to try to store in the car. I did follow your lead and get those reflector things - they went on in minutes and look great too.
I think that suitcase solar panels are appealing at first glance because you don't have to attach them in any way, but they just seem like a lot of hassle to me. Apart from having to deal with the thing when it's not being used, it just wouldn't make sense with the way I travel. I spend the day on the move and stay put only in the early mornings and later in the day. So that means I don't really have the time or space to put a suitcase panel out during the day. Only in the mornings and late afternoons, when the sun is weakest in the sky anyway. But with the panel mounted to my cargo box, it gets sun all day. I don't have to worry about putting it out and taking it down. And if I needed to park in the shade but still charge my solar panel, I could just take 3 minutes and unscrew the panel from the cargo box and set it out in the sun.
Oooh! Never thought of that!!
OK I have a question : why did you choose external deflectors rather than the one you slide in the window gap ? Wouldn't it work anymore ? thx !
Thank you looks like it would work to me. I would not want a hole in roof either. Great information. Have a great day Tristan
Thanks! You have a great day too :) I appreciate you watching and commenting, as always.
I also didnt want to drill a hole but I dont like having to leave a window open the whole time.. I ended up drilling a hole but will put a box over the top
PS
Do u have a quick disconnect for when you quickly park in the city to eat dinner or when you go on long hikes? I guess its from the controller end, not the cargo box. If I left a window open when I was asleep or out of camp, the bears and raccoons would surely smell something and come a snarfling. A cracked window is enough for them to get pry with their claws.
I really enjoy your thoughtful and well presented videos on these topics.
I’m curious if you considered placing the battery and charge controller box in the rooftop gear bin.
Advantages would be shorter cable run from panel, avoiding voltage drop, and no concern about batteries off gassing. Also a skinnier USB cable running from bin into car can carry voltage without much of a drop.
Minuses might be more exposure to temperature extremes for batteries up in the bin, and I guess the inverter would still be inside car fed by a cable.... Trying to decide on plans for my own setup.
Thanks,
Hi Matthew. I can see why you'd want to do that theoretically, but practically speaking I don't see why you would. I mostly I think that would just be a massive pain. When it's in my car, I can reach down, turn the inverter on, easily plug and unplug items, etc. Voltage drop isn't an issue unless you're running really long cables. Off-gassing isn't a big enough issue to be worried about. Hefting the heavy (40-50 lbs) battery box up into the cargo box would be extremely difficult, and you'd basically never want to move it again once it's up there, whereas I can pretty easily move mine in and out of the car. Give it a shot and let me know how it goes, but I just don't really see how that's a better solution.
SUV RVing Thanks for the reply. Your points are well taken. I can appreciate that having the weight of the batteries down low is a big plus. Look forward to following the rest of your latest adventure. Safe travels out there,
Why not just keep everything in the cargo box?
Can you send me a link to your solar panel please ???? thank you for your videos. I have a very similar box.
Yours looks like a older yakima rocket box.
Some really good ideas. Thanks
Can thieves open the window?
Thank you 🙏 for your information
Great info! Thanks for sharing!
Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching, Debbie.
Perfect. Just what I needed to know. 👍
👍👍
Exactly the same way I did and exactly the same thought process I went through 👍👍👍
Nice! I'm really happy with how it turned out. I think it's a solution that would work well for a lot of people.
Are your wind deflectors meant to sit on the surface of your window frame like that? Usually they tuck up between the window frame and the rubber seal so your window frame still appears flush and stock from outside.
Yes, they are made to stick on like that.
Nice, easy set up. Thanks :)
Thanks for watching ☺️
What camera do you use?
Canon PowerShot SX610 HS
Thanks
Great info! Dude how’d you get so many subs?
Thanks! I guess I just post videos that people like.
Yes, I do love your vids... I’ve been so reserved going out on my own... don’t mind if I’m close to my SUV, but I’d rather hike with others, or at least another... happy trails❤️
My rant is not aimed at you, but at the world. How can people be worried about scratches when they camp? I always try to keep my plethora of used cars, vans and minivans in good resale condition, but getting a vehicle into just the right campsite in desert and forest conditions while avoiding root systems by a fraction of a foot means getting brush scratches everywhere always, so who cares about a few scratches from cables on the roof?
After all that fancy toy camping, cant one just afford a paint job before a some-day resale?? I feel like there is something weird in our culture where mud is manly and cool, but dust and scratches are considered uncouth and warrant some sore of leprosy scare for fear of poverty contagion.
Great post! A camping vehicle is meant to be used, and used rigorously. Ultimately it will show that.
Just use flex tape on inside for noise and to seal it
Lol no thanks
It looks a little messy but if it works it works!
Alternatively if your 4x4 has a snorkel you can easily tuck the wires/cable so they run down the inside of it. No one would even know at first glance!
Those of us that drive older vehicles don't have this concern. We can drill that hole with out concern! ;-) Although older vehicles can die as I found with mine :-( Thanks for another good video.
Lol, yep, older vehicles definitely have their pros and cons! Although mine is definitely getting long in the tooth now too...
drilling through and using a gland would just be cleaner
You could also remove your antenna and place the entry gland there. "No Drilling"
Its called a rain visor
Use a pool noodle