80W Solar panel arrived with a 'crease'

[Refueler]

The B in PBO stands for Boat not Bodge

I think 'bodge' is a bit iffy term for it ?

The existing panel has a cable sealed through deck into same style junction box as the new panel. If I can open both boxes and transfer the existing panels cable to the new panel box ... what's the 'bodge' ? The Box can be treated with Corrosion X to waterproof it and keep contacts good. Doing that saves disturbing what is a good through deck seal etc.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I think 'bodge' is a bit iffy term for it ?

The existing panel has a cable sealed through deck into same style junction box as the new panel. If I can open both boxes and transfer the existing panels cable to the new panel box ... what's the 'bodge' ? The Box can be treated with Corrosion X to waterproof it and keep contacts good. Doing that saves disturbing what is a good through deck seal etc.

An 80W panel is usually fitted with 4mm cable, that 2 core cable doesn't look anywhere near that ?

 

[Refueler]

An 80W panel is usually fitted with 4mm cable, that 2 core cable doesn't look anywhere near that ?

Don't know .... will check when I next go to boat ...

 

[NormanS]

The existing cable looks very small for an 80W panel. Just fit a decent deck gland, for example Horizontal Cable Seal Power Boat

Cut the connectors off of the new panel, feed the cables through the gland and make the connection inside the boat, using suitably rated cable to the controller and from there to the batteries.

I'm confused. How do you know what size of cable has been supplied with Refueler's new panel?

 

[PaulRainbow]

.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I'm confused. How do you know what size of cable has been supplied with Refueler's new panel?

I didn't mention the size of the cable on his new panel, i said the existing cable looked small for a 80W panel.

The existing cable looks very small for an 80W panel. Just fit a decent deck gland, for example Horizontal Cable Seal Power Boat

Cut the connectors off of the new panel, feed the cables through the gland and make the connection inside the boat, using suitably rated cable to the controller and from there to the batteries.

 

[potentillaCO32]

Solar panels should be a long term investment, unless you buy cheap and nasty, as this thread demonstrates. The 100W panels shown in post #6 (shocking quality) are listed on their website at £75, good quality 100W panels start at around £200.

Refuelers "80W" panel was peanuts, but it's nowhere near big enough for an 80W panel. Plus, open circuit voltage of 15.8V is low, it should be close to 24V.

I only fit panels from Photonic Universe, in the last 10 years i have had one fail, at 3 years old. Buy cheap, buy twice (or more)

I can second this. Paul fitted my old boat, presto, witha photonic universe 60w panel and mppt many years ago and it still works perfectly. I've just bought the same to fit to my new boat and it also comes with a matched fitting kit.

 

[NormanS]

I didn't mention the size of the cable on his new panel, i said the existing cable looked small for a 80W panel.

OK. My mistake.