so wat is it (1 Viewer)

[Wildbill]

when I bough the lose solar panels there was a very small diode in5819 taped to the back of them any one know watt it is for ?
I know it is a diode if using a regulator will I need one of these to ?

 

[TheBig1]

blocking diodes Bill
you need to install one to prevent the batteries discharging at night when no solar charge is being put out. think along the lines of a non return valve for the current

 

[Wickolad]

Hi bill, solar panels usually have a diode fitted to stop power being drawn from the battery at night time when the panels are not producing power. It could be a spare or it could be provided for you to install when fitting. If your panel has a junction box on the back, then the diode is usually fitted in there, in series with the positive tail.
This link may help explain it.

http://www.solar-facts.com/panels/panel-diodes.php#

Lance :thumb:

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[Wildbill]

so that's watt happened to my battery when the rectifier went tit's up battery as flat as a fart knackered it but do I need them with a rectifier new control box thing I will fit one for each panile after reding that you learn so much on her in fact off to the electrical shop tomorrow to make a simple circuit board to mount them on

 

[TheBig1]

you only need 1 but capable of handling total current from all the multiple panels

 

[Wildbill]

you only need 1 but capable of handling total current from all the multiple panels

so if I banked the panels in two's that would be ok :thumb:

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[hilldweller]

Make sure it's the right way round


---PANEL++++..................DIODE|band|......... controller +

 

[Wildbill]

Make sure it's the right way round


---PANEL++++..................DIODE|band|......... controller +

so watt way is the right way up ?

 

[Reallyretired]

It should have a + or a band on it to mark one end. This end goes towards the panel in the + line. They are usually already wired in so perhaps that ones a spare.
edit, sorry got that the wrong way round. If its a band this goes away from the panel in the + line

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[hilldweller]

so watt way is the right way up ?

I've just drawn it ! Badly.

The diode has a band round one end, this goes to the + input of your controller.

The plain end of the diode goes to the + of the panel.

The - of the panel goes direct to the controller.

It does not matter whether the diode is next to the panel or next to the controller ( where it should be dry and safe ).

A diode is simply a one way valve for electricity, the current can flow one way only.

 

[Wildbill]

It should have a + or a band on it to mark one end. This end goes towards the panel in the + line. They are usually already wired in so perhaps that ones a spare.

i am building my own panel for the van
once I get it I will be making another three I will bet 40w at a pond a watt for half the price of the cheapest panels once I know watt I am doing it will be a walk in the park just making the prototype just now
have posted sum picks on a another thread

 

[Wildbill]

I've just drawn it ! Badly.

The diode has a band round one end, this goes to the + input of your controller.

The plain end of the diode goes to the + of the panel.

The - of the panel goes direct to the controller.

It does not matter whether the diode is next to the panel or next to the controller ( where it should be dry and safe ).

A diode is simply a one way valve for electricity, the current can flow one way only.

thank you very much it is me I am just leering once in the head
it will stay there got it now thank you very much brian
bill

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[Wildbill]

just looked at the old panel the diode is broken so nothing wrong it panel just replace the diode
so now got loads of watts
now to find out how to fix the panel to the roof with out making the roof leek