something you guys could do to see if the panels are good is to put power into them. when you power solar panels they produce UV/purple light so you can see how well they will work for absorbing light.
That's a grand idea to repair these panels, even if the most damaged ones only allow 3/4 of the charging that of a new panel. You still would come out ahead in the long run on the cost you paid for the panels in total. Great video, thank you for sharing the process with us!
Just in case you all aren’t familiar with repurposing forklift batteries for your solar system, they are getting a second look as they can hold an amazing amount of energy and are often free to very low cost if your do a little scrounging homework. Often people cite that you only get 50% of capacity but many solar applications seem to be getting significantly better results.
Great job! I would also suggest checking the cells with an IR camera for hot spots. The cracks can cause hotspots that could lead to a fire. Would hate for your whole system to go up in flames. (I worked for a panel manufacturer for 9 years.)
I wonder if using a small hand squeegie wouldn't be better as it would put some pressure and help force some of the product into the cracks and it might go further.
Honestly, some expensive solution is great, but i plan on fixing some of my cravked panels with a spray can of gloss laquer. I guess time will tell if it works.
Take a voltage reading on the same panel after the coating is dry, just for a comparison. Did you get the clear coat under the metal frame around the sides?
I keep several cans of Bloxygen to help keep expensive liquids longer. There are probably other brand names of it also. Especially useful in paints, varnishes etc. It might not work for items that are mixed and begin curing right away though. Worth it just for paints and things though.
I just bought (8) 435 watt cracked bi-facial panals that were culled out of a large solar farm, before they were installed. My plan was to use a quality automotive grade clear coat, and spray the panals front and back, to seal all the cracks. My thinking is that clear coat is a durable hard plastic that will penetrate well and is fairly easy to apply with a spray gun.
The product you are using looks labor intensive if you are doing a lot of panals at once. It would be a lot easier if it could also be sprayed on with a regular paint gun? Also, I can't tell if your panals are bi-facial, but if they are you will most likely find extensive cracking on the backsides too. And they will have to be sealed also, or you will have moisture incursion from the backs. . How many panals were you able to repair with your 1 kit of product? I am wondering if quality automotive clear coat, purchased in bulk, is comparable in price per square foot of coverage. Clear coat is a hard and durable 2 part flexible 'plastic" coating that has the advantage of being sprayed quickly over large surface areas and will dry rock hard in a fairly short time. It is optically clear, UV and heat resistant, and retains flexibility. It will take considerable time for me to tell how the coating holds up on panals, compared to the product you are using. I have used it on dozens of classic cars, so I am very familiar with its properties and see no reason why it might not be a good (cheaper and easier) alternative too. This is a very common problem with panals, and quality long lasting repair solutions that are easy to implement (and cheaper) would keep them alive far into the future!
I wonder if it was possible to process more in a day if you used a large squeege. note, not all are made the same, I've used some from Fellers which sells car vinyl applications supplies. Might use less chemical per panel too since you can put on a thinner more consistant coat.
I would not recommend this. I have used Qsil 216 in our STEM class. We actually built small panels for RC racing. The first year we used the QSil 216. The problem is that the silicone, although it does help protect the cells, is soft and debris embeds itself easily. I recommend a UV stable epoxy instead. Take care.
We’ve never heard of a UV-stable epoxy before. Usually they will yellow and become cloudy with uv exposure overtime. Do you have a link to one? I’d love to check it out!
Hey that cost 50 bucks you used half that for a 400 watt panel that you paid next to nothing for. 25 bucks to fix it yeah thats a win. You may want to do it in warmer temps it may spread more thinly and easier.
Would be tempting to build an oven to process the panels. Use it to heat them in a controlled way. And to cure the sealer more quickly. I wonder if there’s a thinner or reducer that could be used to spread the sealer more easily.
It ten end of the panel , not only the glass is broken oxigen goes inside and cells are broken. Forget them in 5 tears they will stop making any energy.....
something you guys could do to see if the panels are good is to put power into them. when you power solar panels they produce UV/purple light so you can see how well they will work for absorbing light.
That's a grand idea to repair these panels, even if the most damaged ones only allow 3/4 of the charging that of a new panel. You still would come out ahead in the long run on the cost you paid for the panels in total. Great video, thank you for sharing the process with us!
I think you’re right!
Just in case you all aren’t familiar with repurposing forklift batteries for your solar system, they are getting a second look as they can hold an amazing amount of energy and are often free to very low cost if your do a little scrounging homework. Often people cite that you only get 50% of capacity but many solar applications seem to be getting significantly better results.
Thanks for the info!! I’ll look into that
Use a heat gun to remove the air bubbles and streaks out.
Great job! I would also suggest checking the cells with an IR camera for hot spots. The cracks can cause hotspots that could lead to a fire. Would hate for your whole system to go up in flames. (I worked for a panel manufacturer for 9 years.)
I wonder if using a small hand squeegie wouldn't be better as it would put some pressure and help force some of the product into the cracks and it might go further.
I wonder that, too! I’m going to give that a try with our next round of panels 💫
Thanks
COOP
...
Also, i found a bondo spreader to work better than a brush.
Good to know!!! Thanks!!
Honestly, some expensive solution is great, but i plan on fixing some of my cravked panels with a spray can of gloss laquer. I guess time will tell if it works.
Clever drying rack - good thinking. I like the foam brush too. Heat gun should float out any bubbles.
Thank you! It’s been pretty handy
Very interesting! The solar shed is working out great! You two are pro's. 🌟
Thanks so much! 😊
You guys are an awesome team, looking forward to seeing you two harvesting energy from the sun.
Fingers crossed! Thank you!
Good morning from Forest lake Minnesota! Great episode!
Hello there! Thank youuuuu!!!
Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching ☺️
👍👍💪💪Keep plugging away, you got this!!
Always! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
I have used this on 4 bifacial panels so fare and it works great. just have a leaf/cat/dust free area for it to cure.
Wow ! Great deal for all those panels :) Hopefully that water repellant will work & you have free power for a long time to come !
I hope so too!
Great job👏.
Still a great bargain!
Thank you!! I think so, too!
Some cells are certainly damaged. you can find out by comparing the voltage and the current of each panel under the same condition with undamaged one.
Take a voltage reading on the same panel after the coating is dry, just for a comparison. Did you get the clear coat under the metal frame around the sides?
I keep several cans of Bloxygen to help keep expensive liquids longer. There are probably other brand names of it also. Especially useful in paints, varnishes etc. It might not work for items that are mixed and begin curing right away though. Worth it just for paints and things though.
That’s good to know! Thank you!
I need to start looking for a warehouse that sells those type of Solar Panels down here in Central Florida. Great Video, again!
You should! I hope you find some 😀
curious as to where you got these used solar panels
I just bought (8) 435 watt cracked bi-facial panals that were culled out of a large solar farm, before they were installed. My plan was to use a quality automotive grade clear coat, and spray the panals front and back, to seal all the cracks. My thinking is that clear coat is a durable hard plastic that will penetrate well and is fairly easy to apply with a spray gun.
Let me know what you think of that product! Sounds promising
The product you are using looks labor intensive if you are doing a lot of panals at once. It would be a lot easier if it could also be sprayed on with a regular paint gun?
Also, I can't tell if your panals are bi-facial, but if they are you will most likely find extensive cracking on the backsides too. And they will have to be sealed also, or you will have moisture incursion from the backs.
. How many panals were you able to repair with your 1 kit of product? I am wondering if quality automotive clear coat, purchased in bulk, is comparable in price per square foot of coverage.
Clear coat is a hard and durable 2 part flexible 'plastic" coating that has the advantage of being sprayed quickly over large surface areas and will dry rock hard in a fairly short time. It is optically clear, UV and heat resistant, and retains flexibility.
It will take considerable time for me to tell how the coating holds up on panals, compared to the product you are using. I have used it on dozens of classic cars, so I am very familiar with its properties and see no reason why it might not be a good (cheaper and easier) alternative too.
This is a very common problem with panals, and quality long lasting repair solutions that are easy to implement (and cheaper) would keep them alive far into the future!
I wonder if it was possible to process more in a day if you used a large squeege. note, not all are made the same, I've used some from Fellers which sells car vinyl applications supplies. Might use less chemical per panel too since you can put on a thinner more consistant coat.
I wonder about that too! I’m going to give that a try for the next round 💫
I would not recommend this. I have used Qsil 216 in our STEM class. We actually built small panels for RC racing. The first year we used the QSil 216. The problem is that the silicone, although it does help protect the cells, is soft and debris embeds itself easily. I recommend a UV stable epoxy instead. Take care.
We’ve never heard of a UV-stable epoxy before. Usually they will yellow and become cloudy with uv exposure overtime. Do you have a link to one? I’d love to check it out!
I have a panel that I received and was shattered in transport, all the glass is still in place, thoughts...???
Don't those glass cleaners leave a residue though?
Hey that cost 50 bucks you used half that for a 400 watt panel that you paid next to nothing for. 25 bucks to fix it yeah thats a win. You may want to do it in warmer temps it may spread more thinly and easier.
I think it’s a win, too! Yes, it went on a lot better when it was 70 degrees. I’m at the mercy of the solar wall and how much sun we have that day
Would be tempting to build an oven to process the panels. Use it to heat them in a controlled way. And to cure the sealer more quickly.
I wonder if there’s a thinner or reducer that could be used to spread the sealer more easily.
My panel foged up but I treated 100% of it it was really cracked
did it work??
Is that a Hatz hiding in the corner? It looks familiar. You going to talk about it someday?😉👍
It sure is! It’ll be airworthy and for sale by this spring if you’re interested! 🙌🏼
It ten end of the panel , not only the glass is broken oxigen goes inside and cells are broken.
Forget them in 5 tears they will stop making any energy.....
Try using a foam roller instead
That mighty work, too!
*might work
It’s not “open current” it’s “open circuit” voltage.
Yes, I made that correction on the text on the screen 😉. Thanks!