Drilling a hole thru the coach? little help please

[bes]

Hey guys, I have to drill a hole into the coach to install a Zamp solar plug. Any input would really be appreciated. I have a 15 FR3 and will drill between the battery access door and storage panel. The hole needs to be about 3/4" oblong. ANY input would be appreciated. Thanks Barry

[Technorick]

An Oblong hole will require a pilot hole, a spade bit and a jig saw. A PITA assuming you don't want to chip the paint and scratch the outside surface you would need to prep the area with painters tape.

I have mounted my spare sat (traveler) coax input connector inside the battery panel without having to drill thru the body. It's easy to get to and did not require a hole drilled in the putter body.

with the easy access of the battery door panel I would install the plug inside the battery panel perhaps attached to the storage bin side wall with a right angle bracket. When u need to plug your solar panel in, open the door, run the cord under the open door connect it to the inside mounted port and close the door.

Good luck!

[MacGumbo]

You may also want to score the gel coat with a utility knife along the outline of the hole before you start.

[EDABEUT]

I use what are called forester drill bits to cut my holes. They cut from the side and leave a very clean hole. You can also cut a slot with them.

[Flybob]

Put a piece of wide masking tape over the area where you plan to drill. I would start a pilot hole and make sure the area was clear of wires etc. if it were me, i would use a little larger round hole as you are less likely to damage the outside surface.

[CJ2]

those are forstner bits.

[Tiggerdad]

Do you have a hole in the side for accessing the drive for manually lowering the front jacks. Some rigs do and you could feed through that. My hole is hidden by the propane tank door. I would never drill a hole in the fiberglass on my rig. What about drilling a hole in the metal bottom of the storage area and feed a wire through there?

[kcmusa]

can you go in from the bottom of the trailer?
I ran large wire for my inverter under the trailer then up through the floor.

[cdog7201]

If you drill a hole in fiberglass it might get spider web cracks in it even if you tape it first that happened to me on a boat. you need to tape over where you are going to drill and score an x where you are starting the drill hole good luck

[bes]

Thanks Guys; I really appreciate the feedback.........Barry

[DouglasReid]

There are many good suggestions on here. But I can only concur with those which DO NOT involve cutting a hole in yoruur fiberglass siding. There aer too many other ways to accomplish the same thing without violating the integrity of your siding.

NO good can come of making unnecessary holes in it!

[A32Deuce]

I made two openings in mine and used a dremmel to make the holes. Nice clean openings. Looked factory.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

I made two openings in mine and used a dremmel to make the holes. Nice clean openings. Looked factory.

I have no doubt they looked "factory". My point is that even holes made by the factory sometimes leak.

I prefer to make the hole where it cannot leak and cause damage, particularly in the siding where the leak is not readily apparent until the damage is done. Delamination is usually the VERY expensive result.

[A32Deuce]

Yes, but if you do it, I would think the owner would do a much better job of sealing an opening.

[bes]

Do to the sage advise on the forum, no drilling into coach. I mounted the solar plug next to the battery box with a reverse L bracket using the predrilled holes in the frame for a mounting point. Thanks for all the help. Barry

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by bes

Do to the sage advise on the forum, no drilling into coach. I mounted the solar plug next to the battery box with a reverse L bracket using the predrilled holes in the frame for a mounting point. Thanks for all the help. Barry

Sounds like a PERFECT solution to me!

[Skyliner]

I personally don't have a problem with drilling holes in a camper. I just did that in my sidewall to run electrical to my fiver's newly insttalled LED strip lightening.

What I have an issue with is the choice of Zamp solar stuff. Zamp is overpriced junk and promoted to solar neophytes who don't know better.

You can can DIY a solar system much better than a Zamp kit for less or equal money.

[A32Deuce]

X2!