How to Build a Solar Panel - Part 2 of 3 (New)lower your power bill.Free electricity

[DanielBrown89]

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[pof1991]

need a clear way of showing the bus connecteror that might be confusing to some

even on a paper showing the numbered cells and which ones to make the bus connection to.

great video and your frames look great thanks martin

[betadynamics]

have you got a wiring diagram..? hard to tell what you are doing on the video..thanks

[LivingInTheVortex]

How do I figure out what type of diode to use? I have built a 64 cell panel 3x6 .5v 3.6a cells. they look the same as yours. I am at the point where I need to add in the diode, also I see you have no housing over the junction box what about rain getting into it? I like your frames but more so I like the generator for water and wind, do you make the blades or a kit to go with it for wind?

[markp0177]

@LivingInTheVortex Your diode needs to be a little bigger in amps than what you produce. If you have 64 cells in series then you need a diode around 4 amps. The type of diode does not matter in solar because it only blocks back flow occasionally. In my generator the diodes blocks the back flow 40 times a second so I use different kind with a heat sink. I do not make blades or have a kit at this time.

[LivingInTheVortex]

@markp0177 Thank you for your response, I enjoy your videos, hope you keep making more, an idea for a video that sure would help me which I am sure there are many others out there that would like to know this is. if I solder every thing just right it is great but if I dont and it tabs pop off it seems nothing I do will get them to stick again. back or front. once I goof up I am stuck with a mess I can not fix.

[markp0177]

Maybe I will do a video on that. What you have done is pulled off the tabbing with that which is was solder too. So their is no way to fix it. I have about a 10% loss of my cells do to breakage and tap pull offs or bad cells. You need to order at least 10% more cells than you need. Mark

[ThePomsecurity]

Mark i bought some frames off you on ebay a few months back ,very good frames work very well easy to assemle etc,im at the stage of strung all the cells together and i need to test them b4 sealing them ,i know how to do the volage test on each cell but how do i test for amps???

thanks

[iirmantass3]

Thanks for your help.

[markp0177]

@bhmclane Hello. I like having a frame. It makes it stronger in high winds. It also makes it easer to mount.

Their are solar panel being sold that do not have frames. Mark 

[iirmantass3]

@markp0177 how much does it cost?

[markp0177]

@iirmantass3  The frame cost $33.95 the frame and glass cost around $75

[iirmantass3]

@markp0177 With solar panels i want to know a price. 34 dollars?

[markp0177]

@iirmantass3 Are you wanting a complete panel. I only cell the frames and glass.

[iirmantass3]

@markp0177 just cell price.

[markp0177]

@iirmantass3 Go to ebay and search solar cells. Mark

[thnksmarter]

I like your explanation about how/why you build solar panels a certain way. I will be building my first one tomorrow as I got many parts from you and I just got them all. What I find disappointing is that you made a big leap between video 1 and 2 without showing how you assembled the bus wires, diodes, 12 gauge wire, and terminal into the solar panel. I appreciate the explanation, but showing everything until video 2 lost me on some technical details. I can only do my best now...thx

[markp0177]

@thnksmarter Hello email me at markel38@aol .com and I will send you a wiring diagram. Mark

[ColtraneAndRain]

I LOVE to watch a man BUILD things! Great series!

[cjmet62]

I was wondering if you could be a bit more detailed on how you check the amperage of the indiviual cell in the string. I get great voltage from each cell, but, amperage is displaying a less than expected value with the multimeter in the 10A setting... Is there any special procedure (shorting the cell) to get the multimeter to test amperage correctly... understand this needs to be dirt simple as I am just smart enough to be dangerous.

[elmergamez]

Hey hi Mark I already send you an email to your email adress

[markp0177]

@jmugrad1 Hello. I did reply to one message. I only got one massage. Contact me at markel38@aol.com and I will send you a wiring diagram.  Mark

[solosmoke]

on last cell do you use the negitive part of cell an postive cell or do i need to run a bus wire from bottom to top ,i know it pos+ an neg- all the way to end an i ended up with postivive on last cell ,i thought i could run or tab the bus to pos+ and add to pieces to make negitive,any help would b great hope everyone understands my ?

[markp0177]

@solosmoke You do not run a bus from top to bottom. I can email you a wiring diagram. Contact me at markel38@aol.com Mark

[TheWaterman1000]

Has anyone tried to use the excess heat to create hot water?

[markp0177]

@TheWaterman1000 Yes. I know someone in arizona that put small tubes on the back with a small dc pump to heat his water. I have a seperate solar water heater system. I will be doing a video on a water heater system soon. Mark

[galegregory97comcast]

if it works use it yes ??

[gr8mikeY]

Hey mark, In the process of building a panel using the frame you shipped me last week. First of all, great product. Fit and finish seem really good. Have you ever tried using an industry standard type junction box? I have one and am considering giving it a try. Just curious to any potential pitfalls of doing this. I am going to use a tedlar sheet. Should I cut the tedlar big enough to cover the entire glass surface (remove the 4 clamps then put em back after the tedlar is applied?)

[markp0177]

@gr8mikeY I see no problem using a standard junction box. I cut the tedlar a little smaller than the silicon dike that I made around the cells. That way it fits tight to the cells. Mark

[nizamu052003]

Mark. I started all over and i got stuck up after placing all d cells . can you explain in brief about the circuit connections on the two sides which u have gone through . . . can you show it in practical. it would be appreciated alot. thanks

[kkjkhan100]

hy mark i m from kashmir and i want to make solar pannel coz we have no electricity in our village pl help me if u can i m waiting ur reply

[wildthing40486]

Mark , Love the videos ! Just bought one of your frames off of e-bay ! ( Wish i could have gotten the glass with the frame for a 72 cell , or at least afforded it ) . Okay , I have a question ; for some reason , you as well as many others , tend to place the backing diode within the cell frame , why is this ? Electronics perform very badly in heat , and just as you stated in this video for the cells , the diode will perform better in the cool , such as in a junction box . I'm just curious..Thx!

[spearchaka]

Hi mate love your vids

I live in Australia where our governments rebate allow me to buy a 2500kw solar system for $4500 aus connected to the grid and sell back to the grid at 66c per kilo wattt. i make around 1200kw a per year from this system so it should pay its self of in around 5 years.Iv been trying to find out how to make solar panles for a while and and usually you have to pay to get shown what your videos show thank you very much mate

Again love your vids keep up the good work

[benedictgomes001]

ur explanations are too damn good.. better than an article..... love how technical u are and how thorough u explain every step.. this helped me make my panels 70watts so far.. but will be going upto 4kv

[scblanke]

On a 500w on grid inverter will I get 500w to the house with 2 panels feeding 18v 63w each?

[keithsnow]

can you add the encapsulant to the glass first, then lay down the cells on the liguid??? So there is no bubbles?......

[markp0177]

@keithsnow Hello. I think it will break the cells. I have not tried it.  Mark

[SusannaMrsBMomEtc]

You're a good person.

[markp0177]

Hello. I buy off ebay and it will take two for 64 cells. Mark

[strikers2025]

hello mark. great videos! the skygard you used is somewhat costly but im sure its worth itconsidering the investment it is protecting. where is the cheapest place to find it and what would be the largest panel you would make with only one containers worth. i am making 64 cell panels so i assume i will need two?

thanks

bill

[goeranwerner]

Hi Mark. Your videos are great. I find there the most helpful on youtube for DIY solar panel startups like me. I just would have liked a quick explanation or a quick look at your vibrator installation on your table. How did you do it? It seems that you are using a quite massive wooden table staying on gravel.

[markp0177]

@goeranwerner Hello. I am outside of my barn to do this video only. We nedded the light. I have a big table so that I can make the large 108 cell panels. The vibrator is a simple old fan motor with a off set weight.

[quentinhappsberg]

Also, do you know the technical term for the terminal blocks you use? Having trouble at the hardware store and there are thousands online that don't look like the ones you use.

[markp0177]

@quentinhappsberg Hello it is called a 2 terminal terminal block. I have seen then at Lowes. I buy them at my local electronics store. Mark

[quentinhappsberg]

Hey Mark,

Fantastic video! Inspired me to order one of your frames. I have 2 quick questions. 1. Do you solder the stranded wire to the Bus wire, tabbing wire or both? 2. Do you put silicon over those connections and the diode connection? It looks like there is some when watching the video.

Any help would be great!

Thanks for making this video!

-Rich

[markp0177]

@quentinhappsberg Hello.I solder the stranded wire to the bus and I do put a little silcone on the connection.

[quentinhappsberg]

@markp0177 Man.. That was quick!  Thanks for the speedy response! I am sure you feild a ton of questions. I greatly appreciate it. I think I am ready to build now!

[Spleenjumper]

thanks, that will be very useful for when i make my solar panel. the way you explain what you have to do is very informative. would their be any chance too see your setup, like your batteries, inverter ect. bye.

[Spleenjumper]

I have 37+3 solar cells to make 120 watts, they are 5x5. how many sylgard do i need to put on the back. i'm new too making these solar panels. can you help me please.?

[markp0177]

@Spleenjumper Hello. Yes I will help you. It will take 2 sylgard to do 36-5x5. Mark

[themodmancarl]

i wish i could make my own cells nto just assemble them like you show

still helpful though

[keastland]

Hi Mark, thank you for the great video's. I've ordered most of the things I need to make my first solar panel (including a frame from you), however... I'm not sure which diodes I need. I'm making a panel of 36 3x6 monocrystalline solar cells (1.9 watt, 3.8 amp). I'm planning on probably making one more and combining them with a VAWT on my RV.

Can you help me with which diode I need for this panel?

Thank you!

[markp0177]

@keastland Hello,You will need a diode around 4 amps. Mark

[keastland]

@markp0177 Will more amps hurt/help? I'm going to order some from the same place the I have an order in for some of the other items, and all he has are 6, 8, and 10 amp. Would 8A 45V Schottky BLOCK DIODES work?

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer questions.

[markp0177]

@keastland Hello.More amps will not hurt. I use a 6 amp schottky. Mark

[SuperJack810]

How long do you wait between making the caulk dike around the cells, and pouring the sylgard? I didn't wait more than 30 mins and now the sylgard is still wet to the touch (10 days later!!?) I just read somewhere that some caulk curing agents inhibit curing of the sylgard (darn!). Is there any hope to fix this? Should I just wait some more? Thanks a lot.

Your GREAT VIDEOS inspired me to repurpose an old aluminum frame dual-pane window into a 30-cell solar panel... if the sylgard cooperates..

[markp0177]

@SuperJack810 Hello, That has happened to me too, don't worry it will set up with heat. I set mine upside down in the sun with a piece of glass over the back to hold the heat in and I use a mirror. In 2 days I can use it.

[SuperJack810]

@markp0177 Hi Mark. Thank you very much. I had been leaving it in the sun for several days (catching lots of bugs on it). It seemed to be getting a bit tackier but still wet to the touch in some places today. Tomorrow (weather permitting) I'll try putting the 2nd pane of glass over it for it to bake hotter. GREAT INFO!!! You are the best!!!

[5j5estes]

excellent video. I have damaged my diy panel with heat buildup. Cells between two pieces of glass. Solder joints brok. Hard to repair.

[shartne]

I was not aware that the cells were to be exposed to as little oxygen as possible, thanks for the tip. How long will they last if not sealed with Slyguard.

[markp0177]

@shartne I was told 4 to 5 years