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Author Topic: HF panel connections  (Read 1663 times)

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pvale

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HF panel connections
« on: July 15, 2008, 01:42:51 AM »
Hi all,

I have a total of 12 Harbor Freight solar panels now, but haven't opened any of the terminal compartments on the back for fear of destroying the water tightness of them.

Ha anyone opened one up, and my biggest question is; is there a blocking diode in series with the output in there? In an effort to get the last watt out of the panels, if there is a series diode, I would open them up and either jumper it or remove it altogether. Virtually all solar charge controllers have a blocking diode built in, so any in the panels would be redundant.


Thank you in advance,

Perry Vale

« Last Edit: July 15, 2008, 01:42:51 AM by (unknown) »
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dnix71

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Re: HF panel connections
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2008, 09:48:15 PM »
They aren't water tight. To open one up, remove the 4 screws on the back, then the top two on the front. The top half of the box will slide off backwards. I see lots of small diodes and a bunch of what appear to be zeners.

« Last Edit: July 14, 2008, 09:48:15 PM by dnix71 »
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VisualMonster

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Re: HF panel connections
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2008, 09:49:04 PM »
Not sure about the diodes, but I'm curious... is that 12 individual HF panels, or 12 sets of panels (for a total of 36)?  If that's 12 sets of HF panels, wow!
« Last Edit: July 14, 2008, 09:49:04 PM by VisualMonster »
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wooferhound

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Re: HF panel connections
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2008, 05:54:27 AM »
I've never tried to get into the back of any of my panels. Generally, you would want to put a diode on each individual panel you have. If one panel is shaded, the diode will prevent the other panels from Backfeeding the shaded panel.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2008, 05:54:27 AM by wooferhound »
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Jeff

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Re: HF panel connections
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2008, 08:23:09 AM »
I had mine open. There's nothing in there except two screws to connect the long wire coming out to the two coming out of the solar panels. I've even had to repair the solar panel itself once, when someone thought they could move the panel by pulling on the wire. It tore the connection block off the back of the panel, and the two wires coming out of the panel flush with the frame. The frame does come apart easily. There's nothing inside the framework on the "business end" either. Luckily I was able to fix this panel & seal it up again. Any blocking diodes you might think of are in the controller for these panels.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2008, 08:23:09 AM by Jeff »
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Nil

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Re: HF panel connections
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2008, 10:34:00 AM »
Your question reminded me that I had some pics I needed to post. This should answer your questions: http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2008/7/15/163130/946


Also, on my panels that junction box did not have any waterproofing.

« Last Edit: July 15, 2008, 10:34:00 AM by Nil »
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pvale

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Re: HF panel connections
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2008, 07:52:30 PM »
12 total panels, 4 sets......
« Last Edit: July 15, 2008, 07:52:30 PM by pvale »
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