Yes, more true stories from the field. Same camping spot as before and elderly couple complained to me that the batteries in their motor home were down to 11.80 volts and the panels on the roof were not charging at all. Food in compressor fridge in danger of perishing unless something done. What's a man to do when called to help??
Found vehicle had 2 X 105ah AGMs in parallel which were over 8 years old but were working okay a couple of days earlier when panels on roof were working. Panels on roof consisted of various types and various ages, all stuck down on roof of motor home and connected in parallel with waterproof connectors and junction boxes to a MPPT controller. No voltage or current indicated on controller , even battery voltage. Panels were 2 X 65w rubber-backed type, 1 X 50w rubber backed, 2 X 100w flexible type stuck directly to roof, one of which was only 2 years old and was the most recent one fitted. After disconnecting motor home's solar input to controller and connecting up my solar power station with a bit of electrical wire, we were rewarded with huge power input of 25A and battery voltage increase, so MPPT controller proven. Then reconnected MPPT input cable for motor home, and connected EVERY roof panel ONE AT A TIME, cleaning the surfaces as we went. All except one produced good output in volts and amps through MPPT controller. Of course, the last one tested was the newest 100w model and it was dead, although there was no visible damage or burn through and electrical connection on panel was still sealed from the weather. But that one was the culprit - obviously was shorting out all current from all the other panels, even though all were equally in full sun. After reconnecting all the proven panels, total current IN was just over 15A which made the couple very happy and allowed them to stay another night, which we celebrated together. So age means nothing for solar panels as @DRW said to @Drover , although IMHO, those so called "flexible solar panels" are always a bit suss, especially if placed straight on roof with no air gap. They are also easily damaged by trees or accidental weight being placed on them. I knew that a singe break in a SERIES line would prevent any power being delivered to controller, but this is the first time I had found a single solar panel stopping ALL current from other panels (all in parallel) from reaching controller. Still learning all the time for me. Perhaps Mike @mikerezny would like to comment on this incident that could happen to anyone with panels connected in parallel?
Found vehicle had 2 X 105ah AGMs in parallel which were over 8 years old but were working okay a couple of days earlier when panels on roof were working. Panels on roof consisted of various types and various ages, all stuck down on roof of motor home and connected in parallel with waterproof connectors and junction boxes to a MPPT controller. No voltage or current indicated on controller , even battery voltage. Panels were 2 X 65w rubber-backed type, 1 X 50w rubber backed, 2 X 100w flexible type stuck directly to roof, one of which was only 2 years old and was the most recent one fitted. After disconnecting motor home's solar input to controller and connecting up my solar power station with a bit of electrical wire, we were rewarded with huge power input of 25A and battery voltage increase, so MPPT controller proven. Then reconnected MPPT input cable for motor home, and connected EVERY roof panel ONE AT A TIME, cleaning the surfaces as we went. All except one produced good output in volts and amps through MPPT controller. Of course, the last one tested was the newest 100w model and it was dead, although there was no visible damage or burn through and electrical connection on panel was still sealed from the weather. But that one was the culprit - obviously was shorting out all current from all the other panels, even though all were equally in full sun. After reconnecting all the proven panels, total current IN was just over 15A which made the couple very happy and allowed them to stay another night, which we celebrated together. So age means nothing for solar panels as @DRW said to @Drover , although IMHO, those so called "flexible solar panels" are always a bit suss, especially if placed straight on roof with no air gap. They are also easily damaged by trees or accidental weight being placed on them. I knew that a singe break in a SERIES line would prevent any power being delivered to controller, but this is the first time I had found a single solar panel stopping ALL current from other panels (all in parallel) from reaching controller. Still learning all the time for me. Perhaps Mike @mikerezny would like to comment on this incident that could happen to anyone with panels connected in parallel?