Author Topic: faded ISS solar panal.  (Read 4099 times)

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Offline MoradaWx

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faded ISS solar panal.
« on: March 01, 2011, 03:08:00 PM »
is this normal, only 2 years old

Rick

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Offline d_l

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2011, 03:20:34 PM »
Mine is getting slightly yellowish hazy, but doesn't have the "cracks" in the haze that yours does.  Mine is 2.5 years old in a high desert environment (read extremely intense UV radiation exposure).  I've used both Rain-X and Plexus (mostly Plexus) on it to promote snow sloughing in the winter.

The solar panel for my 24 hr FARS does not have the hazing problem.
--Dave--

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Offline ocala

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2011, 03:43:00 PM »
I have one small crack in mine after over 5 years of use, although it is quite faded like yours. So I would have to say that your case is not normal.  
« Last Edit: March 01, 2011, 03:45:13 PM by ocala »
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Offline MoradaWx

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2011, 03:58:29 PM »
d_l, my 24hr fan is clean also. The ISS panel seems very soft compaired to the fan panel. Gel like vs hard glass.

Is this something I need to ask Davis about, or is it out of warranty and I'll just need to replace on my own?

Rick

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Offline dalecoy

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2011, 04:00:32 PM »
d_l, my 24hr fan is clean also. The ISS panel seems very soft compaired to the fan panel. Gel like vs hard glass.

Is this something I need to ask Davis about, or is it out of warranty and I'll just need to replace on my own?

Rick

It probably won't cost much to ask Davis. 

Offline MoradaWx

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2011, 04:20:49 PM »
Note sent to Davis.

Rick

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Offline d_l

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2011, 04:22:51 PM »
Rick, I wondered about how much reduction in solar energy the hazing on my panel causes?  I looked up the cost of a replacement front cover.  Rainman has them for about $24 and Archer for $27.  So a replacement won't break the bank if I decide to get a new cover when I do the ISS refurbish this summer.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2011, 04:36:45 PM by d_l »
--Dave--

Wireless VP2 w/ solar, 24hr FARS, Heater, (Envoy-WLIP)*3-Meteohub, plus custom VP2 @ 26', WL 6.0.4, WU & W4U=KNVRENO37 NetcamXL

People always talk about the weather, but they never do anything about it.  Not me.  I'm gonna measure it.  https://www.tceweather.com

Offline Andy Thompson

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #7 on: March 01, 2011, 04:31:45 PM »
Wonder if it was a flaw in the plastic?
Regards,
Andy Thompson
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Offline MoradaWx

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #8 on: March 01, 2011, 04:44:15 PM »
Rick, I wondered about how much reduction in solar energy the hazing on my panel causes?  I looked up the cost of a replacement front cover.  Rainman has them for about $24 and Archer for $27.  So a replacement won't break the bank if I decide to get a new cover when I do the ISS refurbish this summer.

Good question, I probably need to have a spare battery in hand when I lose connection...at midnight on a dark and stormy night. found the paperwork from my purchase in May of 2008 so it is due for replacement any time now so no harm.

Wonder if it was a flaw in the plastic?

I know there are flexible solar panels, but this is like a doctor Scholls gel insert...LOL

Rick

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Offline Bushman

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2011, 05:03:44 PM »
Looks like chemically induced crazing to me.
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Offline MoradaWx

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2011, 05:09:18 PM »
Looks like chemically induced crazing to me.

I have never used anything but a wet terry cloth towel to clean it once a year.... :?

Rick

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Offline d_l

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2011, 05:20:36 PM »
Rick, I couldn't get close to mine to check it closely due to nearly waist deep snow under my ISS, but is the hazing plastic a layer under a clear plastic window or is it the hazing plastic the only cover for the solar panel window so that when it cracks it would leak moisture?
--Dave--

Wireless VP2 w/ solar, 24hr FARS, Heater, (Envoy-WLIP)*3-Meteohub, plus custom VP2 @ 26', WL 6.0.4, WU & W4U=KNVRENO37 NetcamXL

People always talk about the weather, but they never do anything about it.  Not me.  I'm gonna measure it.  https://www.tceweather.com

Offline MoradaWx

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2011, 05:35:24 PM »
d_l,

It looks like a plastic cover you would peel off a new phone that was never peeled off, however it goes under the front cover with no edge. I have gently tried to peel it off, but it is secured to the panel. If I touch it, it is more like an oxidized paint job and becomes more opaque.

Rick

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Offline d_l

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2011, 05:57:48 PM »
OK, so the Rain-X and Plexus never touched the hazed layer and couldn't have caused the deterioration in conjunction with the UV radiation.  That's comforting to know.  :-)
--Dave--

Wireless VP2 w/ solar, 24hr FARS, Heater, (Envoy-WLIP)*3-Meteohub, plus custom VP2 @ 26', WL 6.0.4, WU & W4U=KNVRENO37 NetcamXL

People always talk about the weather, but they never do anything about it.  Not me.  I'm gonna measure it.  https://www.tceweather.com

Offline MoradaWx

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #14 on: March 03, 2011, 03:50:48 PM »
On average how long does it take for Davis tech support to reply??

Rick

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Offline tbern

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #15 on: March 03, 2011, 03:58:33 PM »
it seemed to me they responded very quickly if i left a voice mail message for them (within 2 days was my experience). you could leave them your cell number that way you would not miss them calling you back.

Offline MoradaWx

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #16 on: March 03, 2011, 04:26:48 PM »
Thanks, I sent them an e-mail so I could attach a picture and I did leave my cell #. It's only just been 48 hours. I be patient..... :-)

Rick/Morada, CA
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Offline MoradaWx

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #17 on: March 03, 2011, 05:56:43 PM »
Davis reply

The solar panel should measure 2.2 volts in direct sunlight. If it does it does not have to be replaced. If you do want to replace it though it is part # 7345.114  for $ 30.00 plus $ 6.00 for shipping. You can order one by calling 800-678-3669

Mine is at 2.265v so I just looks bad. No need to spend the $$$ yet.

Rick

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Offline Mark / Ohio

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #18 on: March 07, 2011, 11:39:30 PM »
I have not measured my output yet.  Just put in a new battery and saved that fun for warmer weather.  Mine however being a VP1 is no longer available anyway. 

http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=10330.msg99561#msg99561
Mark 
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Offline mlail

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #19 on: March 09, 2011, 10:30:52 AM »
If it helps, my VP2 is about 6 years old and the covering to the solar panel is slightly discolored (cloudy). I did clean it last spring and applied rain-x which seamed to clear it up some.

Also due to short battery life, my Soil Temp and moisture station solar panel runs at 2.2 v in direct sunlight. It appears to be the same solar panel. It too is only slightly discolored.

What kind of climat is your station in? Mine is in North Carolina, USA where we get all four seasons...

Marshall

Offline MoradaWx

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Re: faded ISS solar panal.
« Reply #20 on: March 09, 2011, 10:35:35 AM »
I'm 90 miles inland from San Francisco, CA

Rick/Morada, CA
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anything