x-no-archive:yes "Lloyd Sumpter" wrote:

On Wed, 03 Mar 2004 09:46:57 +0000, Steve wrote:

I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used panels.
Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of the cells in
that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem stems
for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series and if you
have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group will be effected..


That's why I've never mounted mine. It's just a loose panel, so I'm free to
place it wherever there is max sun and min shade. Takes a little "hands-on", but
works good. (and haven't lost it overboard in 5 years!)


We actually did lose one overboard that was on the dinghy davits - the
brace between the davits worked free in a heavy sea. (We didn't get
pooped - it was just the dinghy swinging with the (very small 3.5
horse) motor on it. I've also heard of folks having ones mounted on
the lifelines who've had a problem with losing them.

Actually I've not seen that the problem of shadows was all that bad.
We even get a little activity from the moon or from marina lighting.

Some folks we know have a bank of panels on the radar arch on the
stern that will tilt forward and aft according to the angle of the
sun. Right now we have 2 on the foredeck beside the staysail boom
propped up to take advantage of the prevailing sun here.

The wind generator next to the panel on the radar arch seems to keep
birds from sitting on the panel there. Pelican's particularly almost
never land on our boat if there are others available.


grandma Rosalie

That's old technology. The newer panels are not nearly as
sensitive to minor partial shading. I've never seen any specs
that describe this affect in a quantitative manner.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used
panels. Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of
the cells in that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem
stems for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series
and if you have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group
will be effected..

Kinda like having a bad NiCad cell in a battery pack or a bad cell in a
lead
acid battery..

I have been using a pair of Solrex VLX 53s for ten years and I just learn
to live with this problem. On my current boat I have them on my radar arch
and that seems to have eleminated most of the shadow problem. However, now
that I have added a wind generator, I now have problem with the prop
casting
a shadow on the panels.. Not to bad if it is spinning.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

On Wed, 03 Mar 2004 09:46:57 +0000, Steve wrote:

I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used panels.
Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of the cells in
that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem stems
for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series and if you
have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group will be effected..


That's why I've never mounted mine. It's just a loose panel, so I'm free to
place it wherever there is max sun and min shade. Takes a little "hands-on", but
works good. (and haven't lost it overboard in 5 years!)

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36

I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used
panels. Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of
the cells in that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem
stems for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series
and if you have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group
will be effected..

Kinda like having a bad NiCad cell in a battery pack or a bad cell in a lead
acid battery..

I have been using a pair of Solrex VLX 53s for ten years and I just learn
to live with this problem. On my current boat I have them on my radar arch
and that seems to have eleminated most of the shadow problem. However, now
that I have added a wind generator, I now have problem with the prop casting
a shadow on the panels.. Not to bad if it is spinning.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions