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Is my panel dead? (pic)

ramstein

New Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2022
Messages
117
Hi,
I'm so disappointed by myself, I was mounting my 3 flexible panels on my van's roof, everything was fine until the 3rd panel... I was painting some stuff next to this panel, and a little bit of paint made its way under the thin layer of plastic, so I peeled off this layer to clean the paint before it dries , but by rubbing with a paper towel I think completely damaged the area :(
I'm p*ssed off I am sure this panel is dead now, and since the 3 are in series I will not get any power now.
I will make some tests as soon as there is sun in a few days, but I have nothing to compare too, since I've never used these panels yet. I only know they give 19v each, but no idea about the current in real situation.
Here are the panels I bought : https://aliexpress.com/item/1005001872210717.html
What do you think, is there any chance they'll work?
Thanks for your help

panel.jpg
 
Even in the low light of a cloudy day, voltage will be fairly close to what it is in full sun, so check each panel with a voltmeter now. A quicky check for voltage will help calm your fears. Check each one individually, and see how close they are.

Does your meter also have an Amp measurement? Look at where you plug in your electrodes. Do you see "COM", "VΩ", and "10A"? If yes, you move the red electrode from "VΩ" to the "10A", and turn the dial on the meter to "10A". Test each panel individually and see what their amperages are? If the one with paint is lower, then you have an idea of how much damage got caused.

BTW, the 10A circuit is likely to be fused, so don't allow the amp testing to go on for more than 10 seconds. Longer then that and the meter overheats. If you test each meter for no more than 3 seconds, you are most likely OK.

If the one with paint is damaged, the two other good panels can still be put in series, it's just that the overall power gets reduced 1/3rd.
 
Even in the low light of a cloudy day, voltage will be fairly close to what it is in full sun, so check each panel with a voltmeter now. A quicky check for voltage will help calm your fears. Check each one individually, and see how close they are.

Does your meter also have an Amp measurement? Look at where you plug in your electrodes. Do you see "COM", "VΩ", and "10A"? If yes, you move the red electrode from "VΩ" to the "10A", and turn the dial on the meter to "10A". Test each panel individually and see what their amperages are? If the one with paint is lower, then you have an idea of how much damage got caused.

BTW, the 10A circuit is likely to be fused, so don't allow the amp testing to go on for more than 10 seconds. Longer then that and the meter overheats. If you test each meter for no more than 3 seconds, you are most likely OK.

If the one with paint is damaged, the two other good panels can still be put in series, it's just that the overall power gets reduced 1/3rd.
Thank you very much Michael for your help.
Could you please tell me how to measure the current on the damaged panel, I have a multimeter with the continuous Amp measurement, but should I connect each cable of the panel to measure the current (ie short circuit) or I just let the cables unplugged the same as when I measure the voltage?
I will compare the values with the other panels that's a very good idea thanks.

The label stuck at the back of the panel says 6.25A max current, but I guess it's just theoretical, and in reality I should get something like 5A under the best circunstances (good sun, good inclination, etc).
I will do this tomorrow if there is a bit of sun, and update you.

Yes I can remove the damaged panel and use the remaining 2 but I'd like to have 3 to charge my lifepo4 (200Ah). And if I keep a damaged panel in series with the 2 others I'm afraid it will decrease the whole yield. I read even a small shadow can have a big impact on the panels in series...
Anyway fingers crossed. Thanks again
 
but should I connect each cable of the panel to measure the current (ie short circuit) or I just let the cables unplugged the same as when I measure the voltage?
I will compare the values with the other panels that's a very good idea thanks.
While you're up there check all 3 panels. If the numbers are close to each other then you're probably good to go. If the broken one is way off, take it out of the loop until you can get it replaces. You don't want the bad panel nerfing the other two if you can avoid it.
 
should I connect each cable of the panel to measure the current (ie short circuit) or I just let the cables unplugged the same as when I measure the voltage?
I will compare the values with the other panels that's a very good idea thanks.
Do it with all the panels disconnected and test each one singlely. Remember, when measuring with the panels disconnected, you are measuring the open-circuit amperage, or the Isc. That's not what it will produce under load.
The label stuck at the back of the panel says 6.25A max current, but I guess it's just theoretical, and in reality I should get something like 5A under the best circunstances (good sun, good inclination, etc).
I will do this tomorrow if there is a bit of sun, and update you.
Are the panels laying flat on the roof? I'd say they'll put out 60% of nameplate. If that happens to be 6.25A, then I'd say 4A in the real world.
Yes I can remove the damaged panel and use the remaining 2 but I'd like to have 3 to charge my lifepo4 (200Ah). And if I keep a damaged panel in series with the 2 others I'm afraid it will decrease the whole yield. I read even a small shadow can have a big impact on the panels in series...
It's your call. You get the numbers, and you make the decision. Remember, don't continously measure current for more than 10 seconds, or however long your meter's instruction manual says. But, 3 seconds each should be enough to do each panel individually.
 
I like to use a clamp type amp meter. Just connect the two leads together on each panel, anc clamp the meter on, and poof, it shows the amps.
Zero the meter first.
 
Thanks guys for your help.

So there are 2 possibilities if I understand well, to measure the current :
- Connect the + and - cables and compare the measurement to the short circuit value on the label
- Let the + and - cables free and compare the measurement to the open circuit value on the label
I have a clamp current tester, it should be fine to measure for more than 10 seconds without it to explode :)
I wonder if the paint can get under the thin plastic layer, what will happen when you have rain?
yes I wasn't expecting the paint to go under this layer, but it made its way under there. It's not very good quality panels though, just something to go camping from day to day. I have a DCDC to back them up.
 
Hi,
I'm so disappointed by myself, I was mounting my 3 flexible panels on my van's roof, everything was fine until the 3rd panel... I was painting some stuff next to this panel, and a little bit of paint made its way under the thin layer of plastic, so I peeled off this layer to clean the paint before it dries , but by rubbing with a paper towel I think completely damaged the area :(
I'm p*ssed off I am sure this panel is dead now, and since the 3 are in series I will not get any power now.
I will make some tests as soon as there is sun in a few days, but I have nothing to compare too, since I've never used these panels yet. I only know they give 19v each, but no idea about the current in real situation.
Here are the panels I bought : https://aliexpress.com/item/1005001872210717.html
What do you think, is there any chance they'll work?
Thanks for your help

View attachment 140497
I don’t understand how paint got to that location. You are CERTAIN it is under the skin?
 
I don’t understand how paint got to that location. You are CERTAIN it is under the skin?
yes because I removed the protective layer so it can only be the skin. Maybe is was not well glued, dont know...
If it's just paint, warm soapy water and a toothbrush will probably get that off.
That's too late I used a paper towel and peeled of a bit of the skin to clean under, which resulted in this mess...
 
Why don’t you post a few more pictures so we can get a better idea of what’s going on.
 
Hi, here are more pics below, and a video showing it's not the protective layer that comes with new panels (I already removed it) but the "skin" of the panel.
https://streamable.com/dh1ze9
You can see, at the place where the paint went under, the skin seems peelable. At some other places it is well glued and not peelable. Maybe it's what some call lamination, but it's strange since the panel are brand new and never went outdoor yet.
I put some tape where the damage is located. I think I will put some tape all around the panels to avoid that phenomenon in the future.

I contacted the seller too, to get more informations.

Anyway I made some measurements today even if there was no sun, but all the 3 panels seem to give the same voltage and current: 19v and around 1A each (open circuit).
I have to wait for the sun to come in the next days and make more measurements. I hope the damaged panel is working fine.
Thanks for your help.

img2.jpgimg3.jpgimg1.jpgimg5.jpg
 
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If all 3 panels are behaving about the same, might as well roll with it until you can replace it.

19v at 1a, I'm guessing its really overcast or it's western washington. ?
 
If all 3 panels are behaving about the same, might as well roll with it until you can replace it.

19v at 1a, I'm guessing its really overcast or it's western washington. ?
haha I'm in France, the weather is sh*ty right now
 
It's disappointing to think that you bought panels with a defect, that would allow paint to enter inside. One thought though is that maybe the paint has some kind of solvent in it that dissolves the panel lamination. Maybe just exposed to rainwater, this might never have happened?
 
It's disappointing to think that you bought panels with a defect, that would allow paint to enter inside. One thought though is that maybe the paint has some kind of solvent in it that dissolves the panel lamination. Maybe just exposed to rainwater, this might never have happened?
Yes I'm a bit disappointed. After contacting the seller he asked me the serial number of the panel, maybe he has heard about other people complaining about the same issue for these panels..
 
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