I have made smaller ones encased in glass (10 cells to charge 3xAA Nimh) and one failed. It worked at first, don't see how a small "air leak" could cause havoc, must be my soldering... The other one worked for two years, and then got stepped on!
A quick search found me a company selling 14 x 14" tempered glass so I can put eight 3x6' cells encased to charge a 10Ah lifepo4, (with pcb) for 10W led.
@fireofenergy Yes it's still working along with it's newer twin. These two panels are connected to a Prostar 30 charge controller along with my Harbour Freight system and currently are powering my lights and small electronics. I just went to a local glass place and custom ordered the tempered glass sheets for $35 each.
@fireofenergy Yes it's still working along with it's newer twin. These two panels are connected to a Prostar 30 charge controller along with my Harbour Freight system and currently are powering my lights and small electronics. I just went to a local glass place and custom ordered the tempered glass sheets for $35 each.
@fireofenergy Yes it's still working along with it's newer twin. These two panels are connected to a Prostar 30 charge controller along with my Harbour Freight system and currently are powering my lights and small electronics. I just went to a local glass place and custom ordered the tempered glass sheets for $35 each.
@VWRabbitdiesel Hmm, two sheets of 1/4" tempered glass per panel, yea they're heavy. I haven't weighed one but I estimate one weighs about 35 pounds. I was surprised however that it is comparable to commercially made panels of the same construction methods. After doing much research on the internet I came up with the following conclusions. 1. No wood 2. No plexiglass or polycarbinate This is especially important if you want your homemade solar panels to last.
@Lashon3D as long as you prime ans put a good paint on the wood you will have no problem. I use Burch not Plywood. My 9 home made ones are still going strong.
In buiding solar panels with the intent of installing byass diodes to prevent hotspots that may occur as a result of shading to a portion of the panel how must the bypass diodes be installed ( pos to negative and neg to pos), and is it enough to count the voltage of the cells that will be bypassed and multiply the amps and voltage, than double to determine the size of the diode? thank you
@jesopca In regards to the bypass diodes, I don't use them. Shading of individual cells is not a problem as I have full sun all day long in the location where I am going to set up my solar panels.
@me001ist Thank you for that info~ Do you have a solar set? If so did you set it up yourself? I would LOVE to have one! :) I like the self made solar heater I have seen on here too.
@combatvetlawstudent I bought about 1000 solar cells. Iam trying a few different set ups 36cell 72cell grid tie system and battery bank system. like the idea of grid tie as you dont need to replace batteries but then you have no power at night so i might end up using both systems. I am also looking at the solar heater they can heat and cool from what ive seen.
@jakegoakes The cells haven't oxidized. The panel is completely sealed. The two sheets of glass are bonded to each other with clear silicone adhesive/sealant all the way around the edge.
@me001ist One could probably go with thinner glass, but this sacrifices durability. Almost any covering that I can think of with better light transmission will be less durable.
right on! Is it still working?
I have made smaller ones encased in glass (10 cells to charge 3xAA Nimh) and one failed. It worked at first, don't see how a small "air leak" could cause havoc, must be my soldering... The other one worked for two years, and then got stepped on!
A quick search found me a company selling 14 x 14" tempered glass so I can put eight 3x6' cells encased to charge a 10Ah lifepo4, (with pcb) for 10W led.
Only 4v panels are needed to light up the world!
fireofenergy 1 month ago
@fireofenergy Yes it's still working along with it's newer twin. These two panels are connected to a Prostar 30 charge controller along with my Harbour Freight system and currently are powering my lights and small electronics. I just went to a local glass place and custom ordered the tempered glass sheets for $35 each.
Lashon3D 1 month ago
@fireofenergy Yes it's still working along with it's newer twin. These two panels are connected to a Prostar 30 charge controller along with my Harbour Freight system and currently are powering my lights and small electronics. I just went to a local glass place and custom ordered the tempered glass sheets for $35 each.
Lashon3D 1 month ago
@fireofenergy Yes it's still working along with it's newer twin. These two panels are connected to a Prostar 30 charge controller along with my Harbour Freight system and currently are powering my lights and small electronics. I just went to a local glass place and custom ordered the tempered glass sheets for $35 each.
Lashon3D 1 month ago
Nice panel how heavy is it?
VWRabbitdiesel 1 year ago
@VWRabbitdiesel Hmm, two sheets of 1/4" tempered glass per panel, yea they're heavy. I haven't weighed one but I estimate one weighs about 35 pounds. I was surprised however that it is comparable to commercially made panels of the same construction methods. After doing much research on the internet I came up with the following conclusions. 1. No wood 2. No plexiglass or polycarbinate This is especially important if you want your homemade solar panels to last.
Lashon3D 1 year ago
@Lashon3D as long as you prime ans put a good paint on the wood you will have no problem. I use Burch not Plywood. My 9 home made ones are still going strong.
VWRabbitdiesel 1 year ago
In buiding solar panels with the intent of installing byass diodes to prevent hotspots that may occur as a result of shading to a portion of the panel how must the bypass diodes be installed ( pos to negative and neg to pos), and is it enough to count the voltage of the cells that will be bypassed and multiply the amps and voltage, than double to determine the size of the diode? thank you
jesopca 1 year ago
@jesopca In regards to the bypass diodes, I don't use them. Shading of individual cells is not a problem as I have full sun all day long in the location where I am going to set up my solar panels.
Lashon3D 1 year ago
really cool! What can you use with that many amps? I have no idea really. Like how many amps to run an air conditioner?
combatvetlawstudent 1 year ago
@combatvetlawstudent its about 15 amp to run a laptop
me001ist 1 year ago
@me001ist Thank you for that info~ Do you have a solar set? If so did you set it up yourself? I would LOVE to have one! :) I like the self made solar heater I have seen on here too.
combatvetlawstudent 1 year ago
@combatvetlawstudent I bought about 1000 solar cells. Iam trying a few different set ups 36cell 72cell grid tie system and battery bank system. like the idea of grid tie as you dont need to replace batteries but then you have no power at night so i might end up using both systems. I am also looking at the solar heater they can heat and cool from what ive seen.
me001ist 1 year ago
@me001ist 15 AMP TO RUN LAPTOP YOU INSANE SON!!! it takes no more than 4-5 amps for a good one at that!
DankHydroBudz 1 year ago
Nice hat! #LOL
FrozenHaxor2 1 year ago
wow amazing solar panel i was just wondering if the cells get oxidized? and did you have to air tight the two plates of glass?
jakegoakes 1 year ago
@jakegoakes The cells haven't oxidized. The panel is completely sealed. The two sheets of glass are bonded to each other with clear silicone adhesive/sealant all the way around the edge.
Lashon3D 1 year ago
@Lashon3D you say the glass drops the amps do you know of somthing that doesnt.
me001ist 1 year ago
@me001ist One could probably go with thinner glass, but this sacrifices durability. Almost any covering that I can think of with better light transmission will be less durable.
Lashon3D 1 year ago
Good job on that panel. Although it looks like we've got the same caulking skills.
UKBB 1 year ago