I'm sure it is not a simple diode. The tube is too bulky for that and Solara
would not reduce the performance of their panels in such a way. The tube
with the "protective circuit" inside is moulded to the cable and Solara says
cutting it off voids the warranty. I'll be interested to hear how you will
resolve this.
plano
"Geoff Schultz" wrote in message
.. .
I followed the installation instructions that came with the panel and I
kept the bend less than 3cm across the panel. If and when I get new
panels, I think that I will utilize some kind of spacer to further
reduce the bend.
I am quite interested in what this "protective device" is. The only
thing that I can think of is a diode, which I definately don't want in
the circuit due to the voltage drop. If it's something other than that,
I think that I'd just splice it into the cables instead of trying to
pass it through the existing hole.
-- Geoff
"plano" wrote in
:
Is there a possibility the failure is due to too much bending, in
combination with heat?
I must have purchased my panels later than you, because in the
instructions that were included with mine it says "From now on, the
following module types will be fitted with the protective circuit at
the end of the cable: SM120M, SM160M and SM225M. Types SM40M, SM60M
and SM80M are unchanged. You will probably also have to drill bigger
holes for the tube when your replacement panel(s) arrive. Hopefully
the whole warranty issue works out allright for you.
plano
"Geoff Schultz" wrote in message
.. .
At this point Solara AG has offered to provide me with new panel(s),
but that offer came before Christmas and nothing has transpired
since. The reason that I said "panel(s)" is because both of my
panels failed and they've only offered to replace 1. I'm trying to
work that issue, but it's days and days between e-mail replies. I
have to pay 50% of the shipping, which works out to $130 for me. I
have no problem with that.
Both panels suffered the same failure. Basically they simply stop
outputting any voltage. One panel is completly dead and the other
will output first thing in the morning unit it gets warm. Then it
simply stops outputting. I suspect that thermal heating is causing a
contact to break somewhere. I think that it's in the black
connector, which interfaces the panel with the power cable, but I
don't want to go tampering with that as I might void any possible
warranty.
I utilize a MorningStar TriStar regulator. I don't know what you're
talking about regarding the protective circuit and cable length. You
can find a copy of the SM225M installation manual he
http://www.solarlink.de/PDF-Files/So...gSM_60_bis_225
_englisch.pdf
When the panels worked, they worked great. I was very happy with
them. The issues came when I had a problem and tried to get
replacement panels. Hopefully yours will work just fine and you'll
never be in this predicament.
-- Geoff
"plano" wrote in news:ep0rm6$odc$1
@lust.ihug.co.nz:
You got me really worried now!
You mention that Solara AG decided to re-open the conversation
after your posting of the problems on the Internet. What was the
final outcome of that or is it still on-going?
Can you say anything more about the "failure" or did the panels
simply stop working? Had you installed them with a Solara
regulator? Which model do you have and does it have an inline tube
with a protective circuit? Did you stay within the maximum bending
curve?
My panels work fine and are very efficient, but there was a
practical
problem with the installation. I have model SM160M. The tube with
protective circuit required a big hole in the deck to feed it
through. The installation manual states (literally): "Do not cut
this protective circuit off the cable and do not shorten the cable!
Otherwise the warranty ends immediately". I cut the cable anyway
and reconnected under deck. It was either that or drilling a 3/4"
hole in the deck to feed the tube through. I think they are nervous
about cutting the cable because if any light falls on the panel
while the cable is cut, the shorting will damage the panel. I
shielded the panel from light and as an extra precaution I
carefully cut open the insulation and then cut wire by wire, rather
than a cutting the cable in one go. I will probably have a problem
if it ever comes to a warranty claim, but from what you're saying I
will have a problem anyway.
Plano
"Geoff Schultz" wrote in message
.. .
As the person who has had the warranty problem with Solara AG, I
can assure you that I've done everything possible to communicate
with the company. I have dozens of e-mails to them. The problem
is that they just stopped answering my e-mail. I was having a
very good exchange with their export manager until he just stopped
replying. Once I posted my problems with Solara AG on the Internet
they decided to re-open the conversation.
Please also note that it wasn't just me that they were ignoring.
They were ignoring the US distributor and the dealer who sold it
to me. I will also state that I e-mailed their general info
address and the president and received no response. My phone
calls to the export manager weren't returned. There is no
customer service number and whoever answers their general number
only speaks German, which is definately limiting.
I will also state that others appear to be having the same failure
that I'm having. Just this morning I heard from a cruiser in
Turkey whose panels appear to have the same failure mode.
All of this is probably moot as I don't believe that anyone
carries Solara panels in the US any more. The USD/Euro ratio has
made their panels way too expensive.
-- Geoff
"plano" wrote in
:
Solara, Hamburg, Germany. The only one I could find.
Excellent product. Highly efficient panels. I've got 3 x 40W,
rather expensive but worth it I think. They had a bit of bad
press here because of a warranty problem, but that may have been
due to a communication problem. A direct phone call to their
customer services dept. might have helped. Plano
"Jim Conlin" wrote in message
... Please
identify makers and vendors for flexible solar panels suitable
for a curved boat deck.
Yes, i know they're less efficient.