I purchased a couple of 100 watt semi-flexible panels from Amazon last year and had the opportunity to try them last month. No joy. Zip output. See what I am sending to the distributor. Any thoughts? The only possible anomaly I can think of is that they were delivered at 5000' altitude and I used them at sea level. Can't see that being an issue though. Here is what I drafted:
I purchased two suaoki TPS-105(32)-100W-SF panels July 26, 2017 through Amazon. I do not know when the units were delivered; sometime in August 2017. The serial numbers are SPRD1M19132 and SPRD1M18918. Following delivery and unpacking, I tested the open circuit voltage at between 20 and 21 for both.
These panels remained unused, stored separately flat and protected, until July 2018 when we embarked on a trip to an island for several weeks. At that location, I noticed the panels were producing little current. I assumed it was the regulator and replaced it. However, I noted no output. I checked the wiring in the harness. It was satisfactory. I brought the panels home and checked the panels individually. One is producing 10.1 volts. The other output 3.2 volts although there was some fluctuation. This is in clear conditions, full sun, at noon.
When installed, the panels lay flat on a canvas bimini on a sailboat. They were carefully installed, keeping the panels relatively flat during installation. The installation is temporary and panels are removed before moving the boat from her mooring. Four 50 watt hard panels are wired to terminal blocks as are the suaoki panels. From there, they are wired into a Victron solar controller which then outputs to the battery bank. (When I was on the mooring, I disconnected the 50 watt panels to test the suaoki panels alone. They outputted zero amps. The 50’s collectively were eight amps. This caused me to test the panel output with the multimeter.)
I am baffled at the failure. The panels were carefully stored, handled and unused. I notice other brands on Amazon appear identical, so it appears to my eye to simply be branding. If these panels worked, they would be ideal for this application. They are replacing three old 22 watt flexible panels.
I look forward to hearing from you to resolve this issue.
I purchased two suaoki TPS-105(32)-100W-SF panels July 26, 2017 through Amazon. I do not know when the units were delivered; sometime in August 2017. The serial numbers are SPRD1M19132 and SPRD1M18918. Following delivery and unpacking, I tested the open circuit voltage at between 20 and 21 for both.
These panels remained unused, stored separately flat and protected, until July 2018 when we embarked on a trip to an island for several weeks. At that location, I noticed the panels were producing little current. I assumed it was the regulator and replaced it. However, I noted no output. I checked the wiring in the harness. It was satisfactory. I brought the panels home and checked the panels individually. One is producing 10.1 volts. The other output 3.2 volts although there was some fluctuation. This is in clear conditions, full sun, at noon.
When installed, the panels lay flat on a canvas bimini on a sailboat. They were carefully installed, keeping the panels relatively flat during installation. The installation is temporary and panels are removed before moving the boat from her mooring. Four 50 watt hard panels are wired to terminal blocks as are the suaoki panels. From there, they are wired into a Victron solar controller which then outputs to the battery bank. (When I was on the mooring, I disconnected the 50 watt panels to test the suaoki panels alone. They outputted zero amps. The 50’s collectively were eight amps. This caused me to test the panel output with the multimeter.)
I am baffled at the failure. The panels were carefully stored, handled and unused. I notice other brands on Amazon appear identical, so it appears to my eye to simply be branding. If these panels worked, they would be ideal for this application. They are replacing three old 22 watt flexible panels.
I look forward to hearing from you to resolve this issue.
