Solar Charging Help!

[rgs03833]

Hi, Everyone.

I'm using a HF 12v 45W Solar System to keep my Tractor battery full. Well, last night it was Windy and 2 of the Panels fell and cracked , pix below. I tested the darn thing and it's still working, just the Top Glass is bad.

I'm wondering if any of you had this happened to and found a way to fix them? Or any suggestions would be really helpful!

Should I just get a Glass cut to fit and Silicon on Top or it?

Thank you !!!

 

[RPW]

45 watts is a bit much to keep your battery topped off. I use the 5 watt panels and they work great. But answer your question I think the glass is fused to the panel. If that's the case a thin bead of silicon along the cracks should work.

Good luck.

 

[Jimbrown]

you need a piece of glass. If you silcone it there will shade on lots of the cells with cracks like that and then not just that cell but a whole row of cells will probably shut down. It varies with different manufactured panels.

 

[heitjer]

I would place a complete glass over it to prevent any dirt/humidity to get to the panel. Place a long silicon bead around the frame and then drop the glass on top of it.

Try to secure the panels better. I bought the same system but was not satisfied with the frame that came with it. I build my own frame from angle iron. Details here, second article from the top:

Link

P.S. 45W is overkill as stated above. I have attached a small $20 5W panel to my container and trickle charge my tractor battery.

 

[rgs03833]

I would place a complete glass over it to prevent any dirt/humidity to get to the panel. Place a long silicon bead around the frame and then drop the glass on top of it.

Try to secure the panels better. I bought the same system but was not satisfied with the frame that came with it. I build my own frame from angle iron. Details here, second article from the top:

Link

P.S. 45W is overkill as stated above. I have attached a small $20 5W panel to my container and trickle charge my tractor battery.

Hi,

I'm glad you found me Yah, I was gonna do that, but thought that someone might other ideas... OK, then that would solve Problem 1. LOL

Also, I'm glad you sent me the Link, cool things you got going on there. I like the Greenhouse the most :thumbsup:.

:thumbsup: I am able to help you with something else because it helped me alot. You know the 2 Lights that came with the Kit. Once the Bulb is burnt or Bad, don't throw it out the Housing. You can use the Housing and put in a T7 102 LED 3020SMD Bulb. I use the bottom of Large Dunkin Donut Cups and cut & drill a hole in there and then use Liquid Nails to attached the Bulb, solder the +/- then spin the wire tight intil it fit perfectly (See Pix).

Actually, I didn't like the Brightness and the Battery Drainaged by the CFL. So I found the LED Bulbs on Ebay, 2 for $6.89 Ebay Item: 360418648196 http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-H7-12V-1...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item53eaa02084. I took out the CFL inside and convert it to the LED ( See Pix Below). It's much Brighter and the Amps usage is only 0.17 per bulb. The CFL is like 1.6 Amp per bulb.

So if you are trying to save some Powers or Reserve them, this is the Best LED I found for that purpose. You can have 4 of these running and it's the same Amps usage as the 2 CFL's and with 4 you get ultra brightness. Rated at 400LM but I would say 350LM. Also it can run at 9v too

I also order the 120SMD 3528 LED, that really suck alot of Power and the Brightness is worst, strange... Anyway, if you have questions, just ask!

 

[heitjer]

Excellent idea! Thanks for the tip!

 

[rgs03833]

Excellent idea! Thanks for the tip!

YW

Oh, 1 more important thing about your Panels

They don't have Diode built in. You MUST purchase them and put it in where under the Panel where the Black box is.

The reason it's a must is that I have 4 kits, and I hooked them all up, and when 1 or 2 or 3 in the Shade or Cloud. The Power from the other Panel is going toward the one that is Shaded and it made burnt marks...

You must put 1 in each or you will make the same mistake like i did. It cost me like .75 cents a peice but all worth it.

This is a must, do it ASAP!