Running Antenna Wires

grandliving

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2017
Messages
267
Location
New York
I want to mount a few antennas on the roof for wifi and cellular service. I would like them to end up in a central cabinet somewhere. I was thinking the one on the side of the hutch right when you walk in the door so my wifi is in the center of the trailer.

What would be the best way to run these cables from the roof to a cabinet inside?
 
The only way from the roof to the basement without drilling a hole in the roof is via the waste tank vent UNLESS GD started putting the conduit in like the solitude has. If you use the vent, drill a hole big enough for your cables in the basement as high up as you can, drop a pull string down the pipe find it and pull in cable up to the roof , seal the hole back up. You should be able to drill up through the floor under the hutch. Good luck
 
The Momentums and Solitudes have a prewire plate on the roof starting in 2017, hopefully you have this on the Reflection as well? You can always ask in the tech corner and get an answer directly from GD.
 
The only way from the roof to the basement without drilling a hole in the roof is via the waste tank vent UNLESS GD started putting the conduit in like the solitude has. If you use the vent, drill a hole big enough for your cables in the basement as high up as you can, drop a pull string down the pipe find it and pull in cable up to the roof , seal the hole back up. You should be able to drill up through the floor under the hutch. Good luck

I was hoping to be in the cabinet in the overhang above the hutch but im not sure how i would go about it.
 
I ran my solar wiring through the roof and into our closet. You can do the same. Drill a hole from the hutch cabinet up through the roof. Go slowly and probe for electrical wiring as you go. At the opening in the roof, install a solar or wiring gland and seal it with lap sealant.

Jim
 
I ran my solar wiring through the roof and into our closet. You can do the same. Drill a hole from the hutch cabinet up through the roof. Go slowly and probe for electrical wiring as you go. At the opening in the roof, install a solar or wiring gland and seal it with lap sealant.

Jim

o cool this is just what I was looking for.

https://www.amazon.com/Link-Solar-Weatherproof-Project-Campervan/dp/B0111RNZDY

But i will need a total of 5 wires. Which did you use?
 
I only had two wires, but I'll bet someone makes something that will work for you. I'll be back home Sunday where I have better internet and I can help you with the search or show you how to create your own. You might also do a search for combiner boxes to see if they'll work.

Jim
 
Amazon Reviews of that gland don’t look very good.
 
An ABS flange to an inverted U bend would make a rain-proof roof exit for any number of wires. If you pull the interior trim ring from the bathroom hatch vent, you might be able to see inside the roof cavity over hutch. I would use a long 1/4" drill bit from the inside to create the pilot hole and then a hole saw from outside and inside to create aligned holes of the final diameter. There are crosswise roof beams and AC ductwork to be missed in selecting the hole location :confused:.

Rob
 
An ABS flange to an inverted U bend would make a rain-proof roof exit for any number of wires. If you pull the interior trim ring from the bathroom hatch vent, you might be able to see inside the roof cavity over hutch. I would use a long 1/4" drill bit from the inside to create the pilot hole and then a hole saw from outside and inside to create aligned holes of the final diameter. There are crosswise roof beams and AC ductwork to be missed in selecting the hole location :confused:.

Rob


This is the kind of recommendation i was looking for. I wonder if its possible to get a layout of wires and ductwork from GD?
 
This is the kind of recommendation i was looking for. I wonder if its possible to get a layout of wires and ductwork from GD?

Adam - Many of us have asked . . . but GDRV maintains that their construction/HVAC/wiring drawings are confidential information that they do not share/publish. Wire routing in particular is something that seems to be at the discretion of the installer and ends up being different on each unit.

Something to factor into your plan is that the cabinet over the hutch (if we are talking about the same location directly opposite the entry door) does not go all the way to the ceiling.

Rob
 
Adam - Many of us have asked . . . but GDRV maintains that their construction/HVAC/wiring drawings are confidential information that they do not share/publish. Wire routing in particular is something that seems to be at the discretion of the installer and ends up being different on each unit.

Something to factor into your plan is that the cabinet over the hutch (if we are talking about the same location directly opposite the entry door) does not go all the way to the ceiling.

Rob



O so maybe it would be better in one of the floor cabinets?

Does anyone else have a "tech cabinet"? if so where is it? and how did you run to it?
 
You could make the same thing out of a plastic waterproof electrical connection box and maybe look and see if a place like West Marine has some type of water proof connectors that you could attach to the box.
 
Something to factor into your plan is that the cabinet over the hutch (if we are talking about the same location directly opposite the entry door) does not go all the way to the ceiling.

That's exactly where I ran my wires in my 297RSTS. There is a chase between the studs that goes from floor to ceiling behind the hutch. This is where I believe all of the wires into the ceiling make their penetration. I ran my solar and SAT antenna cables through the roof at this point. At floor level, this is also the location where the wires make the floor penetration for points north and south. I did have to sacrifice one end of the upper hutch cabinet to gain access to the ceiling area, but I also used that section for the SAT antenna insertion power supply and control unit and power supply. I guess I need to take some pics of my mods so that I can better share this.
 
That's exactly where I ran my wires in my 297RSTS. There is a chase between the studs that goes from floor to ceiling behind the hutch. This is where I believe all of the wires into the ceiling make their penetration. I ran my solar and SAT antenna cables through the roof at this point. At floor level, this is also the location where the wires make the floor penetration for points north and south. I did have to sacrifice one end of the upper hutch cabinet to gain access to the ceiling area, but I also used that section for the SAT antenna insertion power supply and control unit and power supply. I guess I need to take some pics of my mods so that I can better share this.

yes please. Pictures would be great!
 
Pictures of my 297RSTS wire runs behind the hutch on the way to the roof.
 

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I used the 4 wire cable gland that came with the Winegard SAT antenna. Worked great. I used two of the ports for the SAT (RG-6 coax and control cable) and two for 10 AWG solar. AZ Wind and Sun has a nice cable gland that I was going to get, but ended up not needing it.

https://www.solar-electric.com/solarland-slcbl-52-black-abs-cable-gland.html

Ken - Keep an eye on your cable gland. Mine has been on the roof of my 297 for a little over a year now. When I was doing an inspection last week, I noticed some discoloration and apparent UV damage. I spray painted it, but I'm guessing I'll have to change it out in the next year or two. I'm going to start searching for a metal replacement.

Jim
 

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