Solar panel failure invalid insurance ?

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RASilcock

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In 2010 I bought a GBSOL 75w. flexi solar panel sold to me by MEI Portsmouth it was fitted correctly in Holland in 2011.It worked OK through the canals to the Med.However in 2012 I had to attend hospital & stayed in UK for six months.(I don't leave my boat unattended on 250v.)MEI's panel failed leaving my auto bilge pump & burglar alarms with a flat battery would this invalidate my insurance ?

I have since found out that other GBSOL 75w. have failed after a short period the electrodes crack,because I checked the wire for continuity it invalidated the warranty ? These panels are supposedly made in GB,Chinese look good,MEI suggested I should spend another £400 on another panel (£800 in total) and they would post it to me free WOW ! Stick it in my pocket & fly to France !

At least boat did not sink. Rieaa.
 
RASilcock said:
In 2010 I bought a GBSOL 75w. flexi solar panel sold to me by MEI Portsmouth it was fitted correctly in Holland in 2011.It worked OK through the canals to the Med.However in 2012 I had to attend hospital & stayed in UK for six months.(I don't leave my boat unattended on 250v.)MEI's panel failed leaving my auto bilge pump & burglar alarms with a flat battery would this invalidate my insurance ?

I have since found out that other GBSOL 75w. have failed after a short period the electrodes crack,because I checked the wire for continuity it invalidated the warranty ? These panels are supposedly made in GB,Chinese look good,MEI suggested I should spend another £400 on another panel (£800 in total) and they would post it to me free WOW ! Stick it in my pocket & fly to France !

At least boat did not sink. Rieaa.
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Ask your insurers - its they who will pay out or not regardless of what anyone on here says.

If you know your boat is at risk of sinking due to a flat battery its upto you to take action and it may be worth taking the panel supplier to the small claims court under the sale of goods act if the panel is not fit for purpose (presumably the life expectancy is stated somewhere) regardless of any warranty.


However, a manufacturer's guarantee does not replace your rights under the Sale of Goods Act and retailers can't ignore this.

It will depend on the product and the fault, but you could be legally entitled to a free repair or, in some cases, a replacement by the retailer for some time after the manufacturer's guarantee has expired. http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/problem/what-do-i-do-if-i-have-a-faulty-product/
 
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Thankyou for your posts sailorman & Ian,I've checked other firms selling gbsol,(Electronicsonboard is MEI) they give varying guaranties 1-2-5 years on workmanship all say should last 20 + Years. Problem is we buy stuff but do not necessarily fit it immediately.Obviously they ignore Emails.Guilty ?

Boat of course won't sink,unless damaged by 3rd. party or vandalised,insurance won't pay if you don't take precautions.

Most friends say look at it as a modern experience give it up & get on with your life,at 74 I don't need the stress at 74 I need the money ? ! RIEAA.
 
Don't replace it with the Spectralite semi flexible ones from Marlec. Mine failed just outside the 2 year warranty. On both panels the plastic film blistered letting the water in and on one the connector block corroded away to nothing. They offered new panels at a small discount. Not impressive as their 914 wind genorator burnt out once, devoured 3 regulators and tried to fall off its mounting pole on several occasions. They won't get my business again.
 
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