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Old 07-28-2015, 10:53 AM   #1
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Antenna Placement

Can anyone think of a reason not to attach an antenna to the solar panel other then it may go flying if I were to lose the epoxied on panel? The boat antenna for the cell booster does not need a ground plane.
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Old 07-28-2015, 10:55 AM   #2
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Bob, can you post a link for that one before I drill my hole for my unit?
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Old 07-28-2015, 11:14 AM   #3
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Handy Bob would tell you shade, likely even from that, kills panel output ... Depending on several factors of course, including poly/mono cells. If you have a way of monitoring output drop (if any) then you should be golden.
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Old 07-28-2015, 11:14 AM   #4
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Can't do a link from here, Google Boatant by Wireng. Same one Jon V uses. Need to make sure you get the adapter for your make booster.
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Old 07-28-2015, 11:23 AM   #5
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Handy Bob would tell you shade, likely even from that, kills panel output ... Depending on several factors of course, including poly/mono cells. If you have a way of monitoring output drop (if any) then you should be golden.
Good catch, will check it when the sun comes back out. Didn't think of shadows.
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Old 07-28-2015, 11:47 AM   #6
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Call We Boost for advice: 1-866 294-1660. Have always found them extremely helpful.
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Old 07-28-2015, 03:43 PM   #7
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Bob:

How are you routing the cable into the trailer? Did you have to drill a new hole for it?

Thanks.
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Old 07-28-2015, 04:00 PM   #8
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No holes for me, I'm going to go through the refrigerator vent, already drilled a hole from the vent to the upper cabinet. Probably run a new 12v line up from the converter unless I can figure out the load on the nearby captains lamps circuit.

On the solar panel mount... WeBoost sees no issue, have a call into Wireng the antenna folks. At the longest shadow so far today (antenna on the south side), the panel output goes from 4.6A to 3A at 4pm. Thinking of gluing a PVC block to the roof and attaching the antenna to it if the shadow causes too much loss. Maybe try one of the 3m Marine glues.
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Old 07-28-2015, 05:35 PM   #9
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Can anyone think of a reason not to attach an antenna to the solar panel other then it may go flying if I were to lose the epoxied on panel? The boat antenna for the cell booster does not need a ground plane.
Couple comments -

With that type of solar panel you want NO blockage. There are panels that are aligned so you can have a narrow shadow pass by when necessary (like an antenna), but not the one on your roof.

The rim of the solar panel would work for a groundplane but you don't need it so why not mount the antenna on the side of the refrig vent and route the wire down the vent as planned. I have used screen for groundplane like found in the vent if needed. Easy. I would use like 2"+ wide and 1/8"+ plus thick aluminum strap, wider depending on how the plastic 'wall' feels.

I'd attach it to the side of the plastic vent with pop rivets (only access to the outside due to screen), adhesive and shimming if needed. The antenna would be mount directly behind the vent in the disturbed air.

Just a few ideas, I'd like to know how well the antenna works there .. and I'll install one too! Thanks for the pics.
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Old 07-28-2015, 08:19 PM   #10
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Be really careful going thru the refrig vent. The chimney when you're on gas gets really hot. Take care to keep your wiring clear of it! I ran a sat tv cable thru there and it had just enough slack to contact the chimney. Bad news if I didn't catch it in time.

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Old 07-28-2015, 08:45 PM   #11
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ETI ran my Sirius XM wire through the fridge vent on the forward side, away from the hot zone.
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Old 07-28-2015, 10:03 PM   #12
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Good point especially because he'll be running coaxial cable (I'd guess). Here is the route I took. The 'fin' sticking up on both long sides doesn't hit the lid, just baffles the air. So I drilled holes and placed tie wraps - green dots and lines. Routing from my rear panels forward on the fin then swooped to the coolest corner in the box. Of course the red area is the flue area.
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Old 07-28-2015, 10:07 PM   #13
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Thanks Klem! Gonna run my mag mount wire there and place a 5" diameter washer on the roof above with silicone or something.
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Old 07-29-2015, 12:07 AM   #14
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No holes for me, I'm going to go through the refrigerator vent, already drilled a hole from the vent to the upper cabinet. Probably run a new 12v line up from the converter unless I can figure out the load on the nearby captains lamps circuit.
Yep. I'd likely do the same for an SiriusXM antenna, however we have an older 19 with the upper refrigerator vent on the side.

Also thought about going through the AC housing, but can't get the cable from the AC to the side cabinets. If you're routing to the refrigerator vent would it be feasible to mount the antenna on the AC housing? That's the highest point.

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Old 07-29-2015, 12:26 AM   #15
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My Sirius antenna sits on a counter next to the receiver and brings in two bars, usually ( which is enough ). I've also run the cable for the antenna out the front window and placed the antenna on the open rock guard or on the propane tank cover. Seems to pick up the signal OK through the shell.
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Old 07-29-2015, 12:33 AM   #16
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I just had a permanent sirius, etc radio hard wired in. The installed talked me into drilling a pin hole thru the roof. He cut the antenna wire, fished it thru the hole and joined it back together inside with a connector. The antenna is glued to the roof and sealed up very nicely. Great reception and no more wires strung around the inside.
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Old 07-29-2015, 12:50 AM   #17
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That would work if I didn't keep moving the receiver/dock around. I like to fall asleep listening to The Shadow, but can't hear it at low volume if the radio is at the other end of the trailer where we sit in the evening. Sometimes, it's moved outside.
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Old 07-29-2015, 05:49 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Thanks Klem! Gonna run my mag mount wire there and place a 5" diameter washer on the roof above with silicone or something.
No silicone... no, no, no
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Old 07-29-2015, 10:01 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
My Sirius antenna sits on a counter next to the receiver and brings in two bars, usually ( which is enough ). I've also run the cable for the antenna out the front window and placed the antenna on the open rock guard or on the propane tank cover. Seems to pick up the signal OK through the shell.
We tried this on the way to Bandon and back, several camps. The signal was marginal at best. Thus, I'm headed for a roof mounted antenna. There are some surface mount ones which take a fairly large hole, but no exposed cable. I have an inquiry in to ETI to see if they will install when I take the trailer up for solar retrofit.

Sorry for dragging us off topic.

Thanks.
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Old 07-29-2015, 10:58 AM   #20
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No silicone... no, no, no
It has many good applications (notice recommended for fiberglass) I use it to 'tack' and 'bed' things I would like to possibly remove later. And it's "green"

http://www.liquidnails.com/en-US/pro...een-glue-LN207
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