Flexible Solar Panels - General thoughts ?

[Col49]

I have just installed 3 x 100 watt ETFE coated semi flexible panels from Solar4rvs, their premimum panel it is claimed, two of the panels follow the curve of the fiberglass roof and are mounted each on one piece of Thermoclear twin wall and not glued down, the third panel was mounted in a location next to where a sliding skylight is fitted so that the skylight clears the panel when opened.
Hoping for a long life as if has been an expensive exercise, cost to be recovered by free camping where ever possible.

[shonky]

Hi, all.

Lance - my experience of flexible panels is that the diodes fail, leaving plenty of charging current but no amperage at all.

[Wilbor]

Shonky, you've confused me, again! I thought charging current was amperage

[T1 Terry]

I think Shonky meant voltage not current, as you say Rob, amps is the measure of current.

T1 Terry

[shonky]

Hi, all.

I heard of one instance where someone put eight flexible panels on his bus roof, and six failed.He complained long and loud for six months and eventually the supplier replaced all six. He stuck them over the originals and went happily on his way. I have no idea how long his happiness lasted.

I met a fine fellow, a plumber, who'd fixed two flexible panels on the roof of his Coaster. While he was extolling the virtues of the flexible panels as well as his application of Sikaflex, his better half, who was standing on a slope, asked where the front panel was. All I could se was a neat application of said Sikaflex, in three neat 3cm stripes lengthways and a couple across each end. Rather than continue the conversation I made a discreet exit.

[bob r]

I'm still trying to get three of my flexible panels working properly they have gone all dull and only putting out half the amps they should.

Bob

[Wilbor]

From what I have read about these flexible panels I have come to the conclusion that the common problem seams to be caused by the effects of the sun, maybe just use them at night

[nut17]

I have had one unfortunate experience with semi flexible panels. These were 135w with 29v open circuit voltage. Follow this thread http://www.nzmotorhome.co.nz/NZMotorhom ... 55&t=11970 and you will understand why having had my fingers burnt once, I am happy for others to experiment with these lightweight semi flexible panels. The conventional panels have been in constant use (we are full time caravanners now) since installation and are still performing as well as the day they were installed.

Cheers
Chris

[T1 Terry]

Hi, all.

I heard of one instance where someone put eight flexible panels on his bus roof, and six failed. He complained long and loud for six months and eventually the supplier replaced all six. He stuck them over the originals and went happily on his way. I have no idea how long his happiness lasted.

I met a fine fellow, a plumber, who'd fixed two flexible panels on the roof of his Coaster. While he was extolling the virtues of the flexible panels as well as his application of Sikaflex, his better half, who was standing on a slope, asked where the front panel was. All I could se was a neat application of said Sikaflex, in three neat 3cm stripes lengthways and a couple across each end. Rather than continue the conversation I made a discreet exit.

On another forum I explained the problems we had using Sikaflex due to the effect heat has on the stuff, it becomes unsticky but as usual I was howled down by those that know everything. Simson 70-03 has a very high temp threshold but does require the use of the special cleaner/conditioner to get a good adhesion to the Lexan thermoclear if you choose that method. Personally I've found Selleys Armourflex does a brilliant job of holding the aluminium feet to the roof and then the thermoclear and panel is bolted to them. This allows expansion movement at the different rates for the different materials and airflow between each level and this works very well for insulating the roof area to reduce heat penetration, something you will find if you test under rigid panels, yo can feel heated spot inside, you can't with the semi flexibles mounted this way, but you can feel the outline around the edges.

T1 Terry

[T1 Terry]

I have had one unfortunate experience with semi flexible panels. These were 135w with 29v open circuit voltage. Follow this thread http://www.nzmotorhome.co.nz/NZMotorhom ... 55&t=11970 and you will understand why having had my fingers burnt once, I am happy for others to experiment with these lightweight semi flexible panels. The conventional panels have been in constant use (we are full time caravanners now) since installation and are still performing as well as the day they were installed.

Cheers
Chris

I often wondered about how well the larger panels would stand up as well as how they handled the higher voltage as they state they are not suitable for series connection. The different expansion rates and high heat generated if glued straight to the roof destroys the panels very quickly

T1 Terry