Solar packed in

[Deleted member 4404]

Solar charge has been getting weaker; popped up to have a look and there are rust stains inside the panel, so presume it's water ingress.
Ordered a new panel and decided to just 'whip off' the old one - wish I hadn't made such a good job of fixing it

 

[wildebus]

Solar charge has been getting weaker; popped up to have a look and there are rust stains inside the panel, so presume it's water ingress.
Ordered a new panel and decided to just 'whip off' the old one - wish I hadn't made such a good job of fixing it

How old was the panel? (and glass or flexi?)

 

[Deleted member 4404]

It is glass and had been on a few years: was a sh one from Bimble, so not complaining.

 

[Squiffy]

Are you sure its rust. 2 years ago I had the same problem where my panel was not charging at its max rate, when I went up and checked I also saw what looked like rust stains under the glass, I then realised that it couldn't be rust as I believe the conductors are tin plated copper, looking at it more closely it turned out to be burn marks caused by arcing on joints. So as an experiment I removed the panel and carefully dug out the backing resin till I got down to where the strip conductors had been arcing due to a poor connection, I soldered them back together and filled the hole that had been dug out with epoxy glue, on testing the panel on completion of repairs it was back up and running and I've used it ever since. Phil

 

[Millie Master]

On testing the panel on completion of repairs it was back up and running and I've used it ever since. Phil

That nugget of help and support Phil is what makes this place such a magical location for those seeking help and support, truly brilliant.

many thanks

Phil

 

[Deleted member 4404]

Are you sure its rust. 2 years ago I had the same problem where my panel was not charging at its max rate, when I went up and checked I also saw what looked like rust stains under the glass, I then realised that it couldn't be rust as I believe the conductors are tin plated copper, looking at it more closely it turned out to be burn marks caused by arcing on joints. So as an experiment I removed the panel and carefully dug out the backing resin till I got down to where the strip conductors had been arcing due to a poor connection, I soldered them back together and filled the hole that had been dug out with epoxy glue, on testing the panel on completion of repairs it was back up and running and I've used it ever since. Phil

Just taken it off the roof and it looks as if you are right. There are quite a few small stains spread about over the whole panel area, so tis bound for the tip. Thanks

 

[Squiffy]

Probably best as mine only had the one bad connection, but with multiple problems you could be chasing rainbows . Phil

 

[wildebus]

I have wondered if the bigger panels that are designed for static use on a house are not as robust as when built they are not expected to have to take the shaking and vibrations of vehicle use?

 

[Millie Master]

I have wondered if the bigger panels that are designed for static use on a house are not as robust as when built they are not expected to have to take the shaking and vibrations of vehicle use?

Good point Dave; could this hint that the flexible panels might be a better bet, or, a series of smaller panelsmight be a better bet?

Phil

 

[wildebus]

Good point Dave; could this hint that the flexible panels might be a better bet, or, a series of smaller panelsmight be a better bet?

Phil

I went for 4 x 100W Panels on my van.
I don't know if it is actually the case or not, but I thought it would be better in terms of movement and vibration that the glass centre of the panel be not too far away from the frame? something about the harmonics of movement rang a vague bell?
I liked the idea also of if one broke, would only have to buy a smaller (cheaper) panel

 

[time4t]

I agree that the bigger panels will flex more, so mine are 2 200 watters but they are squarer in shape so won't flex like the longer one's do.
I read this on the DIY forums.

I've also started looking into attaching thin aluminium angle on the back to strengthen the panels.
Don't yet know how to stick it on but was going to use Tiger seal.

Phill

 

[Squiffy]

Phill, I really do feel that there is too much thought gone into this, I personally think that solar panels that are mounted on the roof of a panel van and subject to vibration/ judder are more down to quality of construction and luck that the guy manufacturing the panel/ quality controller had not had a skin full the night before.
Last year I went to Poland, North Poland and believe me the roads there are really horrific, at one point I had to reduce speed to walking pace and the solar panel survived. Phil

 

[Deleted member 4404]

Took the old panel to the recycle centre and was told they could not accept it because it was off a vehicle. Then the Scrappy said it was of no use to him, so took it to another recycle centre as an 'old panel off the shed roof' and they took it without question!

 

[Deleted member 4404]

Cleaned off the roof ready for the new panel. I was always a believer in stick it and screw it, but after the fun I've had 'unsticking' the old one I won't be using screws on the new one!
While fitting a new panel I'm altering my charging system and I'm now going to leave the Ring unit as B2B only and fit a Victron MPPT controller for the solar.

 

[Squiffy]

I've been saying for years that unless your roof paint is peeling off in droves, gluing them on is all that is necessary. As you have found out removing something that has been glued on can be an absolute nightmare. Your statement is the first time that I can remember someone actually confirming this other than decrying glued accessories. Phil.

Cleaned off the roof ready for the new panel. I was always a believer in stick it and screw it, but after the fun I've had 'unsticking' the old one I won't be using screws on the new one!
While fitting a new panel I'm altering my charging system and I'm now going to leave the Ring unit as B2B only and fit a Victron MPPT controller for the solar.

 

[Deleted member 4404]

I had fixed the brackets in the 'dips' of the roof which made removal even more difficult, still a lesson learnt