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Forum Index : Solar : Rubbish solar panels
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Trev![]() Guru ![]() Joined: 15/07/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 676 |
Sungold Flex solar panels are rubbish. Originally bought these panels to try some on the electric boat, and some for sale. I wrote a little history in the Ma-Sea Solar boat thread. https://www.thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?TID=9701&P=2 There are 4 panels in series to make 48v nominal for charging the quad bike battery, nominal 48v. First installed 9 April 2021. If I take a picture like this and number the panels. (This picture is taken today, 27 March 2023, before I removed the 2 failed panels) Then it was number 3 panel that failed in just over 1 year. Replaced 1 May 2022. Number 2 panel failed in approximately 1 year and 7 months. Failed late October 2022. Replaced in December 2022. I noticed not charging maybe a month ago (Late February 2023). It was before the Fully Charged Live show in Sydney. https://www.thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?FID=15&TID=15645 However, today I replaced 2 more panels (numbers 1 and 4) on the quad bike charge system. Both panels showed zero volts open circuit. So maybe 1 year and 11 months. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Panels 1 and 4 are replaced, photo from the other end. ![]() And charging again A comment from Revlac (Aaron) in Ma-Sea boat thread about only charging 12v batteries. ........ All of the panels sold to customers, were for charging 12v batteries. All in Caravan's and Campers. A lot of them returned. Edited 2023-03-27 11:37 by Trev Trev @ drivebynature.com |
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Revlac![]() Guru ![]() Joined: 31/12/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1114 |
Makes me wonder if any flexible solar panels last long enough to even bother with. I have been using small glass aluminium frame 5w 10w and 20w panels for charging (top up) the batteries in tractors, vehicles and other things for years, ![]() Edited 2023-03-27 15:33 by Revlac Cheers Aaron Off The Grid |
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Godoh Guru ![]() Joined: 26/09/2020 Location: AustraliaPosts: 498 |
Thanks for the heads up Trev. I have repaired one flexible panel for a friend, fortunately it was the leads that pulled out of the panel. Took a bit of digging to get to the connection strap on the panel, but a bit of quick soldering brought it back to life, then a glob of silicon and he was camping again. I have always wondered just how reliable flexible panels would be. Seems like Not Very Pete |
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phil99![]() Guru ![]() Joined: 11/02/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2407 |
Have read elsewhere that flexible panels need to be glued to a perfectly flat surface and covered in glass to get any life. Thought it was in jest but it seems they are not suitable for use outdoors! |
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Trev![]() Guru ![]() Joined: 15/07/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 676 |
Another Sungold flex panel has failed. The one is labeled as No.2 on the picture at the start of this thread. This panel was fitted Dec 2022. That's 1 year and 10 months. ![]() ![]() I wrote the date on the new panel to help me keep track of how long it lasts. ![]() ![]() New panel fitted as No.2. And have written the dates on the picture when the panels were fitted Trev @ drivebynature.com |
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