flexable solar panel fire

[Talbot]

Never really trusted the semi-flex variety, as I always worried about the fatigue results of flexing. Fitted 3 x 185 watt rigid panels through an outboard Flex 60 controller . Don't much like the weight penalty on the stern, but keeps the fridge and freezer working.

[DainyRays]

The controller is undersized at 60 watts while you are using a 100 watt panel.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Solar panels, wiring and controllers aren't were you want to buy the cheapest stuff. A fire on a boat could easily result in YOUR death and the death of others.

Thanks for sharing and hopefully others will learn from your results.

The problem with this line of reasoning (though it is often true) is that it always equate quality with expensive and tells us nothing about how recognize quality (often important factors are invisible from the outside). Consider how many products have dropped 10 fold in price, as a result of competition, market growth, and technology development.


Without price competition of all kinds, including price, progress stagnates.

[Mauruuru]

Flexibility of the flexible solar panel is intended to allow it to conform to a non flat solid surface not a continually changing flapping one!

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by thinwater

The problem with this line of reasoning (though it is often true) is that it always equate quality with expensive and tells us nothing about how recognize quality (often important factors are invisible from the outside). Consider how many products have dropped 10 fold in price, as a result of competition, market growth, and technology development.


Without price competition of all kinds, including price, progress stagnates.

Don't confuse what I said with having to buy 'the best'.

Cheapest priced electrical items will (almost) always use the cheapest components. I almost always recommended against using the cheapest components, but especially on a boat and double especially on boat electrical systems.

Buy the best value items.

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by DainyRays

The controller is undersized at 60 watts while you are using a 100 watt panel.

I am assuming that this response was aimed at my Flex 60 controller post.


If so, it is a shame that you have your facts wrong. The Flex 60 can cope with 60 amps! or 750 watts at 12v It is also very customisable for the different charge stages, and can download logs as well.

An important point for me is that it also has a remote control capability - which means that the controller is hidden away close to the batteries and as near to the solar panels as possible to minimise losses. whilst still being able to see what the machine is doing.

[mawtty]

I thought flexible solar panels were designed to fit curved hard surfaces.

[Van Der Beek]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Solar panels, wiring and controllers aren't were you want to buy the cheapest stuff. A fire on a boat could easily result in YOUR death and the death of others.

Thanks for sharing and hopefully others will learn from your results.

Never skimp on quality (can turn out to be both costly and in worse case scenario, deadly) and always stay away from Chinese made landfill when so is possible.