Solar Panel Damage

Pinetops

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Last year we installed two 32W flexible panels on the bimini, connected in parallel and back charged the batteries through the cockpit 12V socket. We have not used a regulator but only plug them in when on board and not on marina power or motoring.

Last year we were quite pleased with the modest 2 - 3 amps charge they provided in the Med. This year it was much less so I put a voltmeter across each seperately in open circuit. One panel gave 17 - 19 volts continuously. The other gave the same for about 2 seconds then held only 1 volt thereafter. The supplier says the second panel must be faulty and there is nothing that can be done (except return it to the manufacturer and hope for dispensation outside the 1 year warranty). Apparently solar panels are totally sealed and either work or not - no repair is possible.

Lightning during electrical storms has been suggested a s a possible cause. We have experienced some whilst in the Adriatic and Ionian but no close strikes. If solar panels are vulnerable in this way it is quite a costly risk.

Any comments most welcome

Thanks Pinetops
 
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I think that the lightning idea is mere bull****. A direct strike would probably (!) cause a bit of damage but it would be obvious.

If the panels have been mounted on your bimini does that mean that they have been subject to constant flexing? If so, perhaps that may be the cause?
 

William_H

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Solar panel failure

As you have been told they are essentially sealed to keep moisture out which makes them impossible to repair. It would be worthwhile finding the diode which often is in a small box at the wire exit. You can check for voltage up stream of the diode.
As said you can usually see corrosion damage as discoloration of cells which creeps in from the edges. Obviously froma failure of the moisture seal. good luck olewill
 

Gordonmc

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The supplier says the second panel must be faulty and there is nothing that can be done (except return it to the manufacturer and hope for dispensation outside the 1 year warranty). Apparently solar panels are totally sealed and either work or not - no repair is possible.

Thanks Pinetops

It is possible to make a repair, although probably not worthwhile for the dealer. I had a 30 w panel with visible delamination and nil output. Working back from the diode with a multi meter and needle probes I found the point where the circuit was broken and bridged it with a strip of copper soldered on. The wound area was covered in silicone.
That was three years ago and the panel is still in service.
Not pretty, but hey...
 

Pinetops

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Thanks for the comments.
I cannot detect any discolouration or water ingress. All connections inside and beyond the diode box are sealed and I am hesitant to explore further before the manufacturer comments - I'm posting it back today.
There is inevitably some movement and vibration on the bimini in strong winds but I cannot recall any exclusions as to mounting the panels in the installation instructions.
The panels are about 1.8m x 0.4m and delivered flat in a box. To carry them to the boat I rolled them and they adopted a threepenny bit shape folding slightly along the joints between the individual sections of the panel. But they both worked alright the first season.
It seems that flexible panels are quite vulnerable to damage unless mine is an isolated case
Bill
 

Searush

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So they are only flexible if you don't let them flex??? :confused: Seems like a gross waste of money to me & manufacturer should be named & shamed if they don't just replace it FOC.

But then my little charity/business thrived on looking after customers & making sure they did my advertising for me. So what would I know? :p
 

maby

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So they are only flexible if you don't let them flex??? :confused: Seems like a gross waste of money to me & manufacturer should be named & shamed if they don't just replace it FOC.

But then my little charity/business thrived on looking after customers & making sure they did my advertising for me. So what would I know? :p

:)

There is "flexible" and there is "flexible" - I've never seen any solar panels that are rated for being repeatedly flexed in the way that one is likely to be on top of a bimini. The theory is that they are sufficiently flexible to be layed out on a curved deck surface or similar.
 

Pinetops

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The Installation and User Manual states:
.......panels are flexible to allow fixing in temporary or permanent locations, eg deck, hatch cover, boom cover, caravan/motorhome awning or roof..they will fit contours of minimum 300mm diameter.....do not fold or crease during transportation or storage.......simply roll it up to stow.

It may be that mounting them semi-permanently on the bimini has submitted the panels (or at least one of them) to too much flexing, but it is not obvious from the Maual that this is a wrong location. Fortunately I have discovered that the warranty is 2 years - not 1 as the supplier advised - so hopefully I'll get a new panel.

But where should I fit it!!!
 

windfan

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The only practical way to get 'flexible' Solar Panels to perform long term is to make a frame around them to stop them flexing !! In my experience the rigid panels last indefnitely, 20 + years and still giving 100% while my two flexibles lasted under 12 mths.
 

pappaecho

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If the faulty panel produces a voltage for a few seconds, then I would suspect that the panel is OK and that it is the blocking diode which is causing the problem.

A blocking diode should allow forward current and block reverse current from the battery back to the panel at night. By the sounds of things it is not working and blocking forward current, as soon as the voltage builds up.

You may be able to get at the diode from the back, and remove it and then fit an external one.

If lightning was the casue the panel would not produce any voltage - even for a second
 

halcyon

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The Installation and User Manual states:
.......panels are flexible to allow fixing in temporary or permanent locations, eg deck, hatch cover, boom cover, caravan/motorhome awning or roof..they will fit contours of minimum 300mm diameter.....do not fold or crease during transportation or storage.......simply roll it up to stow

The socket you plug it into, is it connected to the engine battery, or can it, during engine start ? We have found it can try to draw power during starting from the solar panel.

Brian
 

whiteshythe

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32w Flexible Panels.

I have three 32w flexible panels on the top of my Bimini which stays up for about 5 months every year. I have had them for 7 years, and they still produce an open circuit voltage of about 19v each.

I suspect that you were just unlucky with yours and hope that you can get it replaced by the supplier.

Kind Regards,

Steve.
 

Pinetops

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To respond to the recent posts:

The socket I use is on the domestic circuit and through this the panels charge the domestic batteries. They are not connected to the dengine start battery.

Interestingly whilst packing the faulty panel for return I found the original box. On it, but not specifically mentioned in the Manual, it listed a bimini as a suitable location.

However, I do think flexibles are much more vulnerable to damage as well as being somewhat less efficient so am unlikely to use them if I increase capacity.
 
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