Search results for query: Solar panel failure

Good points EAN. I'm due to visit Derby soon so shall discuss the retrofitting of the roof rails and electrical items when I'm there. Reflecting on your comments, my guess is that they won't vary anything from their spec as having the Whole Vehicle Type Approval depends on the campervan being...

I have recently decided that a Flexi panel with a rear facing junction box is what I want on my pop top. The Photonic Universe 180w is the one I’ve chosen but I have recently heard some bad reports about this particular panel and was wondering if any members have any experience of this...

Thanks for info Ean and Sarah. It all sounds rather primitive for a van fitted with a smart alternator to me so it looks like I’ll be replacing the relay with a Renogy 12V 30A DC- DC on-board battery charger (with integral MPPT) at the earliest opportunity. They seem to have a low failure rate...

That panel looks like a good option. My first cheap chinese panel cost 80 quid, now renogy panel cost 140 quid, my next one when this fails will be rigid and the one you have chosen looks like a good option. I think the semi flex panels are just not good thermally. Probably main reason for failure.

agreed and very true. ( in fact a fuse insnt even necessary for small camper PV as they don't generate enough current to burn out a 4mm PV cable, or even blow a 1000v/30A PV fuse) - https://amzn.to/4a3OWcV as you say each connection reduces overall power to the mppt. ++++++++++++++++++...

RENOGY Core 1 . . . . the next box is the core ONE, its a BT/CAN box that has WIFI, the idea is that its fitted in the van and conects to your Renogy kit, (battery, dc-dc,mppt, shunt etc etc ) via BT or cable. then - when the unit is connect to 2.4G WIFI and logged into your DC Home Renogy...

Same here, the first duty of a solar panel is to do it’s job, anything else is a bonus.

I have a fairly standard new T6 conversion with a solar panel, CTEK 250SE & Sargent EC155 / EC51. It recently started to show a problem. When I switch the van electrics on via the EC51 control panel, sometimes it comes on perfectly, and sometimes comes on at low voltage (showing 6 -7 volts on a...

Have a bit of a read on here with the posts about flexible panel failures . Rigid panels allow air to circulate underneath which can be important for performance and longevity. Very important in hotter weather. Rigid panels are very tough too if caught in bad weather but I realize they are not...

Reading so many threads on Solar Panels with so many failures on the flexi ones it's pretty alarming. The overall height of my campervan (fitted) with the Reimo Easyfit roof is important to us as we want to be able to pass under the stupid height restrictions we're all aware of and 40mm increase...

It was an ordinary trip to the shops near home. The wife and I both noticed an electrical burning smell on the way to the shop. So much so that I had the bonnet up and was poking about under the seat looking for the source. Maybe a wire short I thought. Didn't find anything and everything seemed...

If doing it again I would install onto a vinyl wrap to make it easier to change. The actual failure rate is hard to ascertain though - people are obviously more likely to post that something has failed than something hasn’t.

I have bought renogy panel. Mailed them to get recommended fitting method. Instructions hinted at need airflow under panel; but not confident their method would give good flow. I am going to use the polycarbonate method this guy uses... Looks like a good solution.

Looking at your solar voltage going to 12V when the panel is hot, I would suspect you have one half of your solar array going open circuit. Steering diodes keep one half of the panel still supplying power but you will only see half the normal voltage. This lower voltage will not operate your...

I have a 105ah PowerRoad low temp LifePo battery, roof mounted 100w solar panel and a 300w inverter all running on Victron. Their van is fully wired for EHU with a number of 13a, 12v & USB sockets with a built in fridge and a water heater 12v/240v water heater. This has all suited me and still...

Classic failure. Both of my previous flexi panels failed in exactly the same way. Fine on a morning when cold, as soon as they warm up, nada! It's the difference in expansion between the panel & the substrate i.e. van roof. This is why manufacturers are now quite specific in how the panels...

I agree rigid panels need air to circulate underneath, however flexible panels do not need as much and because bonded to a roof the heat will spread out. Cheap flexible panels have less longevity as rigid, but good quality ones can last longer than rigid ones and just as tough if not better...

Thanks for the help and suggestions. Here are some more pictures: Tested the voltage inside the junction box at the back of the solar panel here with 0V, 0A shown, with and without the MC4s connected. Then unfortunately my MPPT is attached with tiny bolts under the seat, so a totally...

Charging . . . . we started with the 240c mains charging. . . it comes with the mains lead and the fancy locking plug. . notice how the plugs are recessed into the unit so it be pushed back to a wall flat - a very nice design touch . . . switching the mains on you get a full rate...

Did i mention i have some new solar panels ( summer 2022 ) . . . . . ? LENSUN 150w Black Flexible panels. ( LS-150FX2-B2 ) i have two of them . . . so thats 300W as a matched pair. Specification Electrical Information: Model: LS-150FX2-B2 Peak power: 150W Solar cell efficiency...