Community Forums

two sailors · 10-10-2007, 07:04 PM

I did not get on the roof of this new to us 36
before we took delivery. I finally put a ladder up yesterday to have a look and the solor panel is brown and cratered. The surface is pealing off. Looks as though it was very hot at some time. Anybody have any experience with this situation?. I would like to replace the panal but I think I need to find the cause of the problem.
Brad

two sailors · 10-10-2007, 07:04 PM

I did not get on the roof of this new to us 36
before we took delivery. I finally put a ladder up yesterday to have a look and the solor panel is brown and cratered. The surface is pealing off. Looks as though it was very hot at some time. Anybody have any experience with this situation?. I would like to replace the panal but I think I need to find the cause of the problem.
Brad

alpinerver · 10-10-2007, 09:00 PM

Units create a lot of heat, should be mounted at least a inch above the roof.

takepride · 10-10-2007, 09:50 PM

Properly mounted, any solar panels (RV appropriate) will work, including more/less watts or different configuration, as long as the controller and wire are rated to handle them. The cause of the originals' damage is moot. They are basically "plug and play". Some brands do use better materials and therefore will last longer.

Rick Coleman · 10-11-2007, 04:59 AM

I had the same problem. I "don't do roof", so when I finally did look up there I found the same thing. What alerted me was a battery drain when not in use for just days, and this with near new house batteries! The tech told me that when the solar trickle charger was like that it was drawing current instead of providing a charge. I installed a new panel and the problem was solved. Couldn't believe a panel could look like that in less than a year!

two sailors · 10-11-2007, 10:33 AM

Thanks Rick,
I guess I will uplug it. I Had noticed the house batteries didn't seem to hold well.

Brad

Rick Coleman · 10-11-2007, 12:55 PM

Brad- I did just forward my panel replacement work order/receipt and photos to WRV to see if these are covered. Should be, as the problem was noted within 1 year of my taking delivery of the coach. I'd post photos for you if I knew how- something I'm trying to figure out.

Rick

two sailors · 10-11-2007, 04:46 PM

Anybody want to buy a slightly used solor panal?
I didn't take a picture but it wasn't pretty. Still putting out .04v equiped with a diode so I guess it was not drawing on the batteries.
My last convesation with WRV indicated there was no warranty on anything except from Cummins & Allison.
I haven't tried posting any photos either.

Brad

takepride · 10-11-2007, 08:47 PM

I forgot to mention that like other plastics and poly-carbonates, they stay clearer and un-stained if cleaned regularly. I've had the same solar panel from my last coach for 7 years and it still looks almost new (a little pitting in the aluminum feet). I've seen panels that left dirty, turn the covering brown, milky and splotchy. Obviously that also blocks light and reduces output.

Rick Coleman · 10-12-2007, 05:58 AM

Any cleaning suggestions other than a regular coach washing?

jlb77399 · 10-12-2007, 01:23 PM

Hello,

You might try seeing if there is any warrinty from the maker of the panel. Most are for 25 years.

Jim

two sailors · 10-12-2007, 07:05 PM

Thanks Jim, good idea! The phone number is on the back of the panel, I be giving them a call monday.

Brad

takepride · 10-14-2007, 08:00 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rick Coleman:
Any cleaning suggestions other than a regular coach washing? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nope just soap!

two sailors · 10-15-2007, 07:01 AM

It seems that the supplier of the solar panels to WRV guaranteed the panels for one year and for some reason the mfgr of the panels is no longer in business. Maybe they would last longer if kept out of direct sunlight?