Solar panel - looks a bit strange ? (1 Viewer)

Jan 19, 2013
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Hi, I was wondering if anyone could pass comment on whether there is anything 'not correct' about my solar panel. I don't know the make, but it's probably around 120W from the dimensions (aprox 1m x 1/2m ).
Its on my Burstner 660, don't know how old it is ... would guess somewhere between 6 & 8 years (possibly more ?)
It gives out 19.5v (open circuit) in the midday sun ... at end of MARCH (location Worcs)

I've removed the voltage regulator (Sunsaver 6) as I didn't like the way it had been installed. (bypassing the EBL 99) I am now looking to reconnect the solar panel into a Schauld LR1218 then into the EBL 99.

BUT am wondering if the solar panel is OK due to the weird patterns ?

IMG_2621.JPG
 

Techno

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No it is just a polycrystalline rather than monocrystalline. Slightly less efficient but still fine

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Sep 3, 2012
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the patterns look quite normal-its the way they are made-.whats the packing for around the edges?
 
OP
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iceclimber
Jan 19, 2013
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Thanks for the reply's. The packing around the edges is no longer there .... was there to avoid the sharp corners damaging the Specialised covers motorhome cover which I put on the MH for the period end Nov to mid March.

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JeanLuc

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As Techno says, the panel looks normal and is polycrystalline, like the Kyocera panel I have.
Regarding the regulator, the Morningstar Sunsaver is a well-known unit and could be connected to the EBL99 as this older model EBL is tolerant of other makes of regulator. You would have to make up the cable with a Molex Mate'n'Lok connector and pins though. The advantage of the LR1218 (if you are happy to spend the £70) is that it will come with the necessary cable link and will charge both habitation and starter batteries. There is one extra bit of cabling that you will need to do though since the LR1218 no longer comes with an adapter cable link for the starter battery to go to the EBL99. (More recent EBLs have a starter battery +ve link at the centre pin of Block 6, in the EBL99 this pin is blank). You now have to make your own link using 2.5 sq mm cable and a spade connector to the LR1218. The other end then goes to any +ve starter battery terminal. The easiest to access is normally the main screw-post link on the back of the EBL99.
 
Feb 16, 2013
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uttoxeter
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ambulance conversion
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image.jpeg
No it is just a polycrystalline rather than monocrystalline. Slightly less efficient but still fine
@Techno , I have bought a panel off eBay and it looks like this one but a lot of the silver lines are not connected together, is this correct, anyway I complained and was given a full refund and told to keep the panel, well I have never even tried it but bought a different one, do you think it is ok.
 

Techno

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Yes its fine
To create a 12 volt panel (23 volts open circuit) from 36 cells some have to be connected in series and some sets of series then connected in parallel. The conductor pictured simply dives behind the cell on the right to go to where it does connect out of sight.
Yours is a darker example of polycrystalline.
I've seen quite a few sellers at shows dishonestly selling poly as mono so beware. It is quite obvious visually what is what

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Last edited:
Feb 16, 2013
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Yes its fine
To create a 12 volt panel (23 volts open circuit) from 36 cells some have to be connected in series and some sets of series then connected in parallel. The conductor pictured simply dives behind the cell on the right to go to where it does connect out of sight.
Yours is a darker example of polycrystalline.
I've seen quite a few sellers at shows dishonestly selling poly as mono so beware. It is quite obvious visually what is what
Thanks for that, it is a self adeasive panel with no glass of frame so a little flexible but it looked strange to me and complained, quite willing for it to go back but they just said keep it and my money was back in PayPal immediately, so I paid another £20 for a better quality one which works great, so I seem to have another one to put on now then, didn't want to put it on and then find it was no good and couldn't get it off again.
 

Techno

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Thanks for that, it is a self adeasive panel with no glass of frame so a little flexible but it looked strange to me and complained, quite willing for it to go back but they just said keep it and my money was back in PayPal immediately, so I paid another £20 for a better quality one which works great, so I seem to have another one to put on now then, didn't want to put it on and then find it was no good and couldn't get it off again.
Easy to test just point it at the sun with a voltmeter across the terminals and it should be over 21.5 volts if sunny. Any and all panels should be tested as a matter of course before ever seeing Sikaflex :LOL:

Actually the rear of the panel label should be present and specify the VOC voltage open circuit.
Here pictured 21.7
Broken Link Removed

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Techno

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I would say it is not weather proof I personally would not use that and it looks like a DIY project gone wrong :LOL:
 

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