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09-06-2019, 10:29
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#1
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,117
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Cheap flex solar panel
So guys I must be a skinflint magnet
The manufacturers know I can't resist a deal or two .
I have received these flexible solar panel deals lately
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100w-16V-Fl...edirect=mobile
11 bucks delivered the only catch I have found is you can only get one per 10 days.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/200w-Solar-...edirect=mobile
22 bucks delivered same thing one set per 10 days.
At that price its worth the chance . Heck the controller in each kit is worth that much .
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
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09-06-2019, 13:58
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 564
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
1 bypass diode per panel?
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09-06-2019, 14:09
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
I would be very careful with low buck flex panels, with all of the failures and fires and or burnt spots
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09-06-2019, 15:53
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#4
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,117
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot
I would be very careful with low buck flex panels, with all of the failures and fires and or burnt spots
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IOW hang them on the rails with zip ties . Not solidly on the canvas bimini
The price is cheap enough to stick them under your vee berth till you suffer a catastrophic failure of your $400 dollar ones . These will save the trip.
We shall see
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
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09-06-2019, 16:40
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Portland, OR USA
Boat: C&C 35 MK-II
Posts: 386
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
Looks like a scam to me. Check the feedback, most good ratings are duplicate buyers with less than a 100 transaction. Then click on the 12 negative ratings for this month.
Beware.
__________________
Thanks,
Ron
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10-06-2019, 09:13
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: essex england
Boat: offshore 8 meter
Posts: 138
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
even the good ones dont last as long as rigid ones,the flexible ones go opaque .i wouldnt buy them.
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10-06-2019, 09:25
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Tampa Bay
Boat: Gemini 105Mc
Posts: 767
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
Quote:
even the good ones dont last as long as rigid ones,the flexible ones go opaque .i wouldnt buy them.
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This is what will happen to the cheap ebay panels. The plastic will get cloudy and starts to look like crap.
I bought two five years ago, they still work great, but I have to polish/buff them about every three months...................
When I do replace them, a lot more research will be done.
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10-06-2019, 10:03
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#8
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,117
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by Davy J
This is what will happen to the cheap ebay panels. The plastic will get cloudy and starts to look like crap.
I bought two five years ago, they still work great, but I have to polish/buff them about every three months...................
When I do replace them, a lot more research will be done.
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stop polishing your flex panels the opacity will not have a significant effect .
However repeated polishing and rubbing on them will cause micro fractures in the cells themselves causing hot spots and premature failures
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
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10-06-2019, 10:04
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#9
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,117
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by ronstory
Looks like a scam to me. Check the feedback, most good ratings are duplicate buyers with less than a 100 transaction. Then click on the 12 negative ratings for this month.
Beware.
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well the 200 watt kit is due to be delivered in 2 weeks we shall see.
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
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10-06-2019, 10:05
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#10
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,117
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by scallowayuk
even the good ones dont last as long as rigid ones,the flexible ones go opaque .i wouldnt buy them.
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the opacity is not an issue it will not effect the panels output significantly.
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
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10-06-2019, 10:20
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Tampa Bay
Boat: Gemini 105Mc
Posts: 767
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
Quote:
stop polishing your flex panels the opacity will not have a significant effect .
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My OCD will not allow a couple of crappy looking solar panels on my hard top.........
They've been there five years but are on the short list to be replaced.
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10-06-2019, 10:27
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Boat: Bruce Bingham Christina 49
Posts: 3,328
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by newhaul
well the 200 watt kit is due to be delivered in 2 weeks we shall see.
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Almost too good to be true on pricing for 2 panels, cables and regulator. Am waiting to see what you think of them when they arrive.
Bill O.
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10-06-2019, 11:10
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#13
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,117
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill O
Almost too good to be true on pricing for 2 panels, cables and regulator. Am waiting to see what you think of them when they arrive.
Bill O.
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so am I and if I like them I will order a second set. Always like to have spares on the boat.
I might even post about them on my refit thread.
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
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10-06-2019, 11:20
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#14
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,117
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by Davy J
My OCD will not allow a couple of crappy looking solar panels on my hard top.........
They've been there five years but are on the short list to be replaced.
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I use nu finish car polish wipe on wipe off once a year or so just rinse off with water and soft brush or far about every month as needed minimal pressure.
https://www.amazon.com/Nu-Finish-Liq.../dp/B000BPSW7C
Seems to work really good
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
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10-06-2019, 11:45
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Boat: Bruce Bingham Christina 49
Posts: 3,328
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Re: Cheap flex solar panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by newhaul
so am I and if I like them I will order a second set.
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Was going to order them yesterday also, but the seller has a vacation stop on orders at this time, so need to wait. Apparently the 1st link you attached w/ the single 100W panel is no longer on ebay and the seller isn't registered anymore. As someone suggest that one may have been a scam.
It seems like you got the extra coverage from Square Trade. Seems good for $2, if it actually covers the products like they claim. Has anyone ever tried to make a claim with them?
Bill O.
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