How to Best Run Solar Panel Wires Down Hunter Arch Tubes? + Custom Over Bimini Solar Panel Install on 2006 Hunter 38

[KelToy]

I have designed an install of two 365Watt Panels which keeps them low over the bimini top to reduce windage on our 2006 Hunter 38, and close to the traveller while still leaving space for a decent window in bimini roof to see the sails. Please see attached drawings in case they are helpful! FYI - I used hardware from Gemini Marine Products in Maine, who were great to work with.

I am now trying to confirm the best way to run the cables from the panels down the arch tubing itself. I see some posts in which people follow the cable run for the cockpit speakers. Where does this come into the boat? Does anyone have any experience running these cables down the arch? All suggestions and tips super appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

 

[Hello Below]

Try doing a search on

“Arch+wires”

And you will come with many Hunter owner posts for doing this. I have done it on my Hunter e33 and after a lot of effort was able to thread the 10AWG solar cables through the arch. Here is one that mentions a ‘06 H38 and may help.

Bimini mount solar panel install advice

 

[KelToy]

Thanks! Yes! I saw that one - very helpful! I was trying to find more details on where the run of wires from the cockpit speakers ends up, and advice on how to best snake the wires, and how long they need to be to get to nav station. tks!!

 

[quadrille38]

I have designed an install of two 365Watt Panels which keeps them low over the bimini top to reduce windage on our 2006 Hunter 38, and close to the traveller while still leaving space for a decent window in bimini roof to see the sails. Please see attached drawings in case they are helpful! FYI - I used hardware from Gemini Marine Products in Maine, who were great to work with.

I am now trying to confirm the best way to run the cables from the panels down the arch tubing itself. I see some posts in which people follow the cable run for the cockpit speakers. Where does this come into the boat? Does anyone have any experience running these cables down the arch? All suggestions and tips super appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

I have a 2008 38. Under the speaker system in the cockpit there is a hole in the stainless arch. The wire for the speakers runs to starboard down the arch. In the aft cabin on the starboard side overhead there is one of those access opening / covers. Unscrew the cover and you will be able to see and feel where the wires come out of the arch. There is a channel that leads aft to the area behind the aft wall in the aft cabin.

Some years ago I installed a gps antenna on the Bimini frame. Ran the wires through the path I described. Once in the stern compartment you can remove the access panel in the aft wall, open the stern lockers and have pretty good access and ventilation for your work.
If you work across to the port side you actually have a relatively clear (with some careful effort) to path to run wire all the way forward to the nav station.
There is a conduit that runs from aft area along side the head and it exits in the area behind the panels that contain the circuit breaker switches.

 

[chuckwayne]

I'm sure it's like the 356 - the wires go down the aft tube (port side on the 356) thru a smallish hole in the deck - maybe 1"?? I ran a fish up the tube from below and used it to pull my large diameter solar cables uop into the center area of the arch - where the speakers are. I ran the cables thru the gap between the tubes beside the plate that supports the traveller and used snaps with velcro to secure the cables. don't put the cables thru the bimini if you can avoid it - you'll get drips

 

[KelToy]

I have a 2008 38. Under the speaker system in the cockpit there is a hole in the stainless arch. The wire for the speakers runs to starboard down the arch. In the aft cabin on the starboard side overhead there is one of those access opening / covers. Unscrew the cover and you will be able to see and feel where the wires come out of the arch. There is a channel that leads aft to the area behind the aft wall in the aft cabin.

Some years ago I installed a gps antenna on the Bimini frame. Ran the wires through the path I described. Once in the stern compartment you can remove the access panel in the aft wall, open the stern lockers and have pretty good access and ventilation for your work.
If you work across to the port side you actually have a relatively clear (with some careful effort) to path to run wire all the way forward to the nav station.
There is a conduit that runs from aft area along side the head and it exits in the area behind the panels that contain the circuit breaker switches.

THANK YOU!! SUPER HELPFUL!

 

[quadrille38]

THANK YOU!! SUPER HELPFUL!

Oh another piece of information for you. As you are pulling wires through that hole in the arch, be careful, the hole itself has sharp edges and it will strip or damage the casing. Feed carefully.

 

[pdrisc]

I’m doing almost the exact same install on my 466 this spring. The hole in the arch for the cockpit speakers was too small, so I drilled a new hole in the arch under the traveler for the solar wires with a 1/2” carbide drill bit (and some cutting oil). Then snaked the wires up from the starboard access port in the aft starboard berth (alongside the speaker wires). Advice about the sharp edges in the stainless is accurate. Hardest part of the whole ordeal was getting the wires behind the starboard head to the electrical panel. Persistence eventually won.

 

[Douglas Ronne]

maybe wasn't the best but what i did was put a hole in through the bottom of the arch support between the 4 bolts with a 1" hole saw, then drilled a hole under where the speakers are and ran it down there. Getting it to the "electcrical room" from there was the hard part.