I have a solar panel mounted on the port side of the arch of my 356. The best way to hide the connecting cables would probably be to drill a hole in the arch and lead the cables through the base of the arch into the ”megalocker” where the batteries are located. Grateful for advice on the best method for drilling through the hefty steel tube. Mark Personne
Drilling a hole in the stainless steel arch
- Thread starter Mark Personne
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Heavy duty drill bit
IMHO, use a Titanium drill bit and exercise patience when drilling. SS is a tough, durable metal and will drill slowly. While drilling, put a drop of oil onto the bit and SS to ease the burning. If it begins to smoke while drilling, back off the drill pressure a bit. You don't want to discolor the SS. Check at your hardware store for the proper bit/size to use.
IMHO, use a Titanium drill bit and exercise patience when drilling. SS is a tough, durable metal and will drill slowly. While drilling, put a drop of oil onto the bit and SS to ease the burning. If it begins to smoke while drilling, back off the drill pressure a bit. You don't want to discolor the SS. Check at your hardware store for the proper bit/size to use.
Good drill bit
I did basically the same thing on my H380, but I was able to run the wire through the same hole in the arch where the speaker wires exit... I was able to attach the solar wires to a snake and feed it down the arch and then along the port side to the charge controller... of course I am not sure if the 356 has the same speaker set up....Otherwise it is going to take a very good drill bit to "hole" the arch... Brian
I did basically the same thing on my H380, but I was able to run the wire through the same hole in the arch where the speaker wires exit... I was able to attach the solar wires to a snake and feed it down the arch and then along the port side to the charge controller... of course I am not sure if the 356 has the same speaker set up....Otherwise it is going to take a very good drill bit to "hole" the arch... Brian
Paul has it,
slow speed with oil. I drill stainless all the time and patience is the key. Small bits for a pilot hole usually go faster. But the key is a variable-speed drill, I use a big 1/2" drill even with the small starter bit.
slow speed with oil. I drill stainless all the time and patience is the key. Small bits for a pilot hole usually go faster. But the key is a variable-speed drill, I use a big 1/2" drill even with the small starter bit.
Good advice here!
Stainless steel can work harden when drilled at high speeds. Keep the speed low, use a sharp bit, and you shouldn't have too much trouble.
Stainless steel can work harden when drilled at high speeds. Keep the speed low, use a sharp bit, and you shouldn't have too much trouble.
To keep the bit from walking around
I've put on a hose clamp and started the small pilot-hole bit through one of the slots/threads on the clamp band.
I've put on a hose clamp and started the small pilot-hole bit through one of the slots/threads on the clamp band.
TUFF JOB *cry
Its not hard drilling into the stainless arch if you go slow and start with small drill bits and work your way up bigger its really easy. But the hard part is drilling into the plate at the very bottom where it is bolted to the fiberglass part of the boat. Maybe the 356 has more room in the locker than my 290 had when I installed the wires for the arch speakers I was upside down with very little room for the drilling,so check it out before you start drilling top side. nick
Its not hard drilling into the stainless arch if you go slow and start with small drill bits and work your way up bigger its really easy. But the hard part is drilling into the plate at the very bottom where it is bolted to the fiberglass part of the boat. Maybe the 356 has more room in the locker than my 290 had when I installed the wires for the arch speakers I was upside down with very little room for the drilling,so check it out before you start drilling top side. nick
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