127 replies to this topic

[Ethergore]

That's great if they fix it. I just hope they have an explanation for why. I want to be able to trust my panels when I'm in the middle of nowhere.

Edited by Ethergore, 02 July 2015 - 10:45 PM.

[DonC]

If they don't see anything obvious when I'm there, I will ask them to send me an email after their diagnosis.  I assume they will want to know the answer also.

[DonC]

Going to Renogy on Monday.  My questions are

- are these Renogy panels?  they were purchased through Amazon and came with Renogy packaging, but thought I would ask

- are these Renogy connectors?

- is the panel install ok?

- is the wire/connector install ok

- are the panels bad, if so, why?

- ok to install second panels on top of the first?

- best way to protect all this stuff from UV and the elements?

 

Anything else to ask?

[DonC]

I was not able to go today, but my son took the camper to Renogy for me.

 

The panels and all Renogy connectors I bought from Amazon in Dec are legit.  My glue down of the panels and all wiring is good.

 

However, I have two bad panels!  They have changed their design to address a few issues since the panels I purchased in Dec.   Even though my panels are glued to the roof and I had cut a few of the connectors, they gave me two new panels and some wiring.  They said it was ok to glue the new ones on top of the old ones.

 

The good news, is what I thought might be a complex electrical problems turns out to be simple.  Glue some new panels down and hook them up.  Hugh thanks to Ethergore for the diagnosis.

 

The bad news, is two 6 month old Renogy panels went bad.  

 

For a while I'm going to be checking my panels a few weeks before each trip.  I thought I could install and forget, at least for a few years.

[Ethergore]

Bittersweet news. Thats two people with bad panels posting this week. Sounds like its due to a known issue that was corrected by Renogy so maybe we shouldn't worry. Maybe you could post a picture of what the new ones look like so those of us with older models know if we are at risk.

Edited by Ethergore, 06 July 2015 - 07:02 PM.

[Sledawg]

DonC: Now three bad panels. I noticed my voltage dropping to half on a recent trip from the solar panels. This past weekend I tested my two Renogy 100W panels. The one I bought in December shows 15V with no amperage under a load. Seems I have the same problem. Called Renogy...replacement en route. Happy there is no hassle to replace. Not so happy about replacing panel. Thanks for your post; resulted in me checking out my panels.

[Ethergore]

That makes 3 people and 4 bad panels in the last 2 weeks. Here is another person replacing his:
http://www.wanderthe...el/#entry122926

[DonC]

Sledawg - sorry to hear that.  What did you have to do to get replacement panels?  When my son was at their shop today they wanted him to take mine off and give them back - but they were glued to the roof!  They finally agree to replace without removing.

 

I just tested the two new ones and both are around 19.5v, but no amps on the trimetric when plugged in...  I sure hope I have a bad plug - getting a new one later in the week.  Frankly the panels look used after I took the plastic off, scratches and dirty.

 

I'll keep everyone posted here with the on-gong saga.  What's a propane retro-fit cost?

[Sledawg]

DonC: called Renogy and talked to tech who wanted to know symptoms. He transferred me to customer service who told me they would email me a FEDEX shipping label. I received an email indicating they were shipping new panel. Confused I called back and was told that I would get an email with a shipping label and that they wouldn't ship until old panel was received. I suspect that this is "left hand not talking to right hand within the company." Will let you know how this transpires.

[DonC]

has anyone done an install with velcro?  I know there is some industrial strength velcro

 

sure would be easier to remove and return...