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Post by campbeji on Oct 1, 2013 7:50:22 GMT -5
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Post by campbeji on Oct 1, 2013 12:37:32 GMT -5
Hi again,
I should have mentioned that unless I come up with a good reason not to, I will be buying at least a box of these. If anyone wants to buy some we can maybe get a better price on them, so if your interested let me know.
Jim
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Post by cye on Oct 4, 2013 16:30:37 GMT -5
these are not panels but cells. there is a fair amount of effort and additional expense to make these up into functioning panels. whilst they do seem a good deal cheaper that the bunch of cells i bought a few years back, unless you have a lot of time and patience available, i'd say that the second hand 180w pv panels that horsall pointed out a while back at 44p/watt (and still available i believe) may well represent better value for money. if you are making panels from the basic cells you will at least need two sheets of glass, some rather expensive pv-grade clear silicone, a flux pen and some pre-soldered tab wire. the more professional method sandwichs the connected up cells in a laminate between two sheets of (expensive) EPA, which glues itself to glass sheet on the front and an additional backing sheet on the rear. you then need to fix the whole panel in a sturdy frame.
sorry to put you off if you really are set on this - i fell into the same trap a few years ago and have not yet built up the head of steam necessary to tackle making a panel up from the basic cells.
all the best
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Post by campbeji on Oct 4, 2013 18:39:41 GMT -5
Hi Cye,
I keep using the wrong term for these things - panel and cells. I do understand that they do take a bit (lot) of work, I just fancied having a play with them. Mind you I was watching a few youtube videos about them, and I hadn't realised just how brittle they are, I mean really really delicate, that has kinda worried me a bit :-)
I must have missed horsall post, I must go see if I can find it.
Any more results from your panels?
Thanks Jim
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Post by campbeji on Oct 4, 2013 19:28:10 GMT -5
I checked that link from Horsall but the site is currently down for maintenance and I didn't see it on ebay anymore either, so maybe they have stopped selling them or I just couldn't find it.
Jim
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Post by horsall on Oct 9, 2013 14:20:53 GMT -5
Hello All I made 2 panels up out of cells like these and as Cye says it is a lot of work and yes they are very brittle!
I made a grid up to hold them all in the place and spacing then I sandwiched them between 2 sheets of glass I had had toughened!
The big problem is to seal them in well without any moisture inside.
what I did while they were still in the jig I put a big dollop of silicon on the back and lowered 1 sheet of glass onto them and let it set, then Very carefully lifted them out of the jig.
Then I use the spongy spacers they put between sealed glazing units to transport them to get a gap and NO pressure on the cells.
Then I ran a good bead of silicon around the edge and sealed the output cables in but I left a small gap on the bottom edge and let it set. Then I waited for a good warm sunny day and placed them in the sun until they were very hot and only then did I seal the gap.
I have not looked closely at them lately but there is no misting up when I last looked.
Tomorrow I will have a look and try and take a photo.
Panels were more expensive compared to wages then I think?
I don,t think I would do it again(just give up some luxury's for a while and buy some when you see them on offer)because if you don't get it right it is an expensive game(but if you like a challenge! have a go it is rewarding when they work)
Roger
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Post by campbeji on Oct 9, 2013 20:02:56 GMT -5
Hi Roger,
Thanks for that, a good idea of how to make cells into panels. I have had a look at more videos on using these things and the thing that stands out is how brittle they are. I must admit I'm having second thoughts about them. I think I will just buy a few of the panels and save the messing about till I have a bit more cash and time.
Anyway, thanks for the help Jim
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