85 replies to this topic

[rustytinbender]

It took a while but I did get my money refunded. 

[enelson]

My German manufactured Global Solar peel and stick have been good so far, 1.5 years.  They are 90W each.  I helped stick them down during installation using a vacuum bag.  It really pressed them on!  I haven't needed any additional bonding since install and the output seems the same.

[rustytinbender]

So I replaced my dead flexible panels with the traditional type, a 50 watt Renogy that I plan to use as a portable using the back plug and a 160 watt Infinium Solar Panel that I mounted to the roof between the vents. I used some small aluminum channels and angles that I picked up from a boating supply house for less than $20. (photos attached)  

 

I was able to span 5 of the support ribs that are under the aluminum roof so I used 10 brackets. I  epoxied the 4 corners and used silicone caulk as an adhesive for the 6 inside brackets. I did use a small piece of double face 3m tape in the center of each bracket to hold them in place until the silicone and epoxy set up.

[CALIcamperdad]

The hard framed panels are really durable and proven. But the thin flexible tech is still working out the bugs

[enelson]

If anyone out there glued their panels down with an aggressive polyurethane like 3M 5200 or Sikaflex this stuff makes removing the glued panel down easy http://www.debondcor...iant=8683679619

Edited by enelson, 31 January 2016 - 03:26 PM.

[alaskaguy]

I like these panels for size and efficiency but sounds like lots of problems and kinks to work out

[Kodachrome]

Interesting that I am just now seeing this. I put two 100W HQST flex panels on the roof of my camper in July of 2014, did not glue them but used screws into the frame of the roof. They are still just cranking along, 19-22V each at peak hours, the higher number in the Winter months.

 

So I just replaced my 17 pound 100W slide out glass panel ( after it fell in detached mode and shattered ) with two more 100W HQST panels for my slide out / removable rack. I had considered the Renogy panels before because their other components are so good but opted to not for reasons mostly of budget....who knew?

[fuzzymarindave]

Hi Kodachrome.

I'm getting ready to try solar on my Hawk.   Did you screw the flex panels to the roof using only the six grommet holes provided in the HQST panel?  If so does it appear to move much up/down from the wind?

 

Screwing the panel instead of gluing seems like a good opportunity to insert an underlying open cell membrane to aid in cooling.  Something like an ACS10 Drainage Mesh or equivalent.

 

Thanks,

[rando]

To follow up on the failures with flexible solar panels - have things improved?  Has anyone experienced any failures with the Solar Cynergy 120W panels: https://www.solarblv...roducts_id=3083

 

Or was this problem primarily limited to the renogy panels?

[michgoblue]

To follow up on the failures with flexible solar panels - have things improved?  Has anyone experienced any failures with the Solar Cynergy 120W panels: https://www.solarblv...roducts_id=3083

 

Or was this problem primarily limited to the renogy panels?

 

Bought three of these last month and installed them last week.  All tested fine before and after install, even with cloudy skies and drizzle.  Hoping for some sun this weekend to see how they do then.