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MarcHall · 13-12-2014, 06:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt-couillon

Results of Renogy 100W solar panel immersion test...

While preparing to install my new 100W panel on the lazarette, I set it up on the bimini to avoid possible damage. Got cold, got late, got stupid and went below for supper and a nights sleep without stowing the panel. 20knt winds overnight stowed it for me, alongside the boat in about 20' of cold saltwater.

There it sat, on the bottom somewhere... Called my buddy the diver who charged me a full hour for a five minute recovery. (Too cold for me) but offered to swim around for a bit just to act like it was difficult.

Anyway, hauled it out of the drink, rinsed it off in fresh water, and installed it. Functioning just fine, so guess the encapsulation works. Not sure a regular glazed in frame panel would have survived 12 hrs at 20'.

This is not a recommended procedure for installation. Use at your own risk.

I used a similar installation procedure on a Bose speaker once.

Marc Hall
Crazy Fish - Maintaining, Upgrading and Sailing a Crealock 37 | SV Crazy Fish

autumnbreeze27 · 13-12-2014, 08:19

These panels are slightly different than the other ones I bought off ebay. My ebay flex panels have an extra row of cells on them, and the cells are not solid in color, you can see trace lines on them.

So the smaller footprint is nice, but it will be interesting to compare which ones put out more power. The connectors are a lot nicer on the renogy panels, mc4 versus cheap crap on the aluminum ones.

ErikFinn · 16-12-2016, 22:22

has Renogy discontinued the 100W or higher W FLEXIBLE panels??
If they ever even did offer those.

I can not find any at their website,

renogy.com

only small 5W and so flexible panels

The title of this thread is " RENOGY Flexible Solar Panels " and find it confusing after folks start mixing in RIGID panels etc.

Does Renogy currently offer any FLEXIBLE 100W or bigger panels or not?

Thanks

capt-couillon · 17-12-2016, 01:50

No...

ErikFinn · 17-12-2016, 02:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt-couillon

No...

Thank you captain.
I read a few threads here about flexible panels and was getting excited as I thought I could get 100w flexible Renogy panels for about 200 bucks each as opposed to the 700 to 1K bucks for the 100w Solbian ones.. I guess not..

ErikFinn · 17-12-2016, 04:41

hmmmm...
I found the panels in Youtube but Renogy doesn't sell them anymore?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nIvUEiYdCaU

**Cotemar** · 17-12-2016, 05:15

Renogy is not making Flex panels anymore, because they had an over heating issue.

One of the key factors when picking the Flex panels is to get them with the SunPower Cells with 22% efficiency.
The SunPower cells allow the panel to be much smaller and lighter, which is always important on any boat.

Lensun makes a nice panel with SunPower cells and an Aluminum backing on them to disapate heat.
.
Lensun Solar Energy Store
.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVInRQJMtzU

ErikFinn · 17-12-2016, 05:16

Okay apparently those Renogy 100w flexible panels are now sold under "HQST" brand.. I'm not sure what has happened but pardon me for these spams and have a nice weekend all!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BNE1u8dD8_A

edit: thanks Cotemar you beat me by one minute

Mike Sibley · 17-12-2016, 06:06

I bought two of the 100W flexible solar panels from Renogy about two years ago. One of them stopped working within a year. I contacted Renogy and they arranged to exchange both flexible panels for rigid ones. They indicated that they had some problems with the flexible ones and so they have apparently stopped marketing them

Sailmonkey · 17-12-2016, 06:19

Windy nation is also marketing a panel that looks strangely like the hqst panel. I've got a pair of them tied onto the dodger, 8 months so far and still baking.

I was almost ready to buy the panels with the aluminum backing but was terrified of the results with alu/salt water/sunbrella.

capt-couillon · 17-12-2016, 06:22

Quote:

I bought two of the 100W flexible solar panels from Renogy about two years ago. One of them stopped working within a year. I contacted Renogy and they arranged to exchange both flexible panels for rigid ones. They indicated that they had some problems with the flexible ones and so they have apparently stopped marketing them

Had exactly the same experience... I will say however, Renogy was very good about replacing the panels. Refunded cost difference, and pre-payed the return of the defective gear.