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From: Rosalie B. (no email)
Date: Fri Jun 25 2004 - 10:09:06 EDT
On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 08:21:16 -0400, you wrote:
>Rosalie B. wrote:
>
>> A lot of stuff it doesn't matter who installed the equipment. What
>> difference does maintenance and installation make for something like a
>> solar panel?
>
>A solar panel is similar to many other electrical items. It requires
>protection from the weather, proper connections, appropriately sized wiring,
>and some method of insuring they don't overcharge your batteries.
Solar panels may be similar to many electrical items but...
Panels do not have to be protected from the weather. While they
shouldn't be mounted under water or where the waves can tear them off,
it is unrealistic to expect that they be taken in if it is raining.
The connections should be outdoor appropriate, but the panels
themselves can withstand quite intensive water applications.
Yes they should have appropriate sized wiring and proper connections.
If you don't have a method of insuring that they don't overcharge the
batteries, this will not damage the solar panel or make it unusable -
it will show up in the battery life maybe.
>
>Solar panels work when they're mounted in direct sunlight that strikes them
>at right angles. They lose efficiency quickly when subjected to shade (as
>often happens when they're mounted on dodgers) or when they're not properly
>angled toward the sun.
This doesn't have anything to do with maintenance. It doesn't damage
or degrade the solar panel not to be mounted to catch optimum light.
Most cruisers do the best we can with mounting their solar panels for
maximum efficiency, but the panels do a pretty good job IME even when
not mounted optimally. We even get some charge sometimes from the
moon or from the marina lights.
>
>Panels must be protected from seawater. Cracked covers, leaking frames, and
>exposed wire runs all can lead to early failure.
>
Yes of course you shouldn't damage a solar panel and expect it to
work. If you crack the panel, then it won't work. Damage isn't
something that is unique to solar panels or marine equipment. It
should not be an extra-ordinary part of the equation of installation
or maintenance caution parameter for any piece of equipment unless the
particular piece of equipment is badly designed so that it is more
susceptible to damage. IOW - everything can be damaged and then it
won't work so it does not need to be especially considered.
<snip rest of post>
So not one of the items that you list is REALLY a problem that results
from poor installation or maintenance. And they don't need to be
considered when you are considering whether to get a solar panel or
not.
grandma Rosalie
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