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07-31-2021, 09:09 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Huck
Trailer: ParkLiner
Virginia
Posts: 852
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Flexible Solar Panel Recommendation?
I need to replace my Renogy flexible solar panel. I would prefer to not buy another Renogy panel. Their flexible panels seem to have a short lifespan.
I would like around 200W, but could go a little larger or smaller. It must be a flexible panel.
Any recommendations?
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07-31-2021, 10:36 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: Pat
Trailer: Escape 2013 19 ft
California
Posts: 193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Huck
I need to replace my Renogy flexible solar panel. I would prefer to not buy another Renogy panel. Their flexible panels seem to have a short lifespan.
I would like around 200W, but could go a little larger or smaller. It must be a flexible panel.
Any recommendations?
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Lensun ours are now 4 years and have been very happy . Pat
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07-31-2021, 10:41 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Steven
Trailer: '79 Boler
on Ontario
Posts: 254
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The problem with flexible panels is that they need back support. Most are stuck down onto the roof material. Framed panels have open backs which helps to keep the panels cooler, giving them longer life.
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07-31-2021, 11:25 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Pat
Trailer: Escape 2013 19 ft
California
Posts: 193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steve67
The problem with flexible panels is that they need back support. Most are stuck down onto the roof material. Framed panels have open backs which helps to keep the panels cooler, giving them longer life.
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The Lensun panels we have are backed with 1/4 in fiberglass backing . They will bend a little but not as much as others . We experience very hot temps here and they are working great . Some have made some mods to get a little air space underneath but ours are working fine the way they are .. By the time they need replacing the tech will be even more improved and we can get more watts for our roof . We currently have 180 watts to fit on our trailer . Pat
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07-31-2021, 11:47 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: alan
Trailer: looking
Colorado
Posts: 264
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Perhaps perhaps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LindaandPat
Lensun ours are now 4 years and have been very happy . Pat
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A few months ago I wrote to Lensun via their website (in the UK) asking about resistance to hail. Still no answer. Perhaps they didn't want to answer. Perhaps one employee messed up. Perhaps I should have asked three times. Perhaps I should have tried to translate hail into British English. Perhaps their customer service is weak or non-existent. Perhaps perhaps.
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07-31-2021, 12:14 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Pat
Trailer: Escape 2013 19 ft
California
Posts: 193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minke
A few months ago I wrote to Lensun via their website (in the UK) asking about resistance to hail. Still no answer. Perhaps they didn't want to answer. Perhaps one employee messed up. Perhaps I should have asked three times. Perhaps I should have tried to translate hail into British English. Perhaps their customer service is weak or non-existent. Perhaps perhaps.
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They have customer service all over the World . In our case I spoke to someone in United States . If you saw the panels you would understand how strong the top surface is . I can’t see any way hail could damage . It is not a surface like other flexible panels and these are called semi- flexible . Your choice we love ours . Pat
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07-31-2021, 12:33 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: alan
Trailer: looking
Colorado
Posts: 264
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LindaandPat
They have customer service all over the World . In our case I spoke to someone in United States . If you saw the panels you would understand how strong the top surface is . I can’t see any way hail could damage . It is not a surface like other flexible panels and these are called semi- flexible . Your choice we love ours . Pat
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Thanks for the reply. I was in my truck when it was destroyed by baseball sized hail which also destroyed my home's roof. A friend's roof 8 miles away was perforated many times in the same storm. It can be a lot worse than baseball sized too.
Now I have a physical reaction to anything larger than graupel.
I don't expect any PV to survive what I have experienced. When I am ready I'd just like to make an informed decision comparing PV panels.
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07-31-2021, 12:54 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Pat
Trailer: Escape 2013 19 ft
California
Posts: 193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minke
Thanks for the reply. I was in my truck when it was destroyed by baseball sized hail which also destroyed my home's roof. A friend's roof 8 miles away was perforated many times in the same storm. It can be a lot worse than baseball sized too.
Now I have a physical reaction to anything larger than graupel.
I don't expect any PV to survive what I have experienced. When I am ready I'd just like to make an informed decision comparing PV panels.
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Understand . Make sure to check one of their websites and understand their construction which is very different . It is very hot here right now and I would have to pull out ladder to take a few pics for you . If needed can do later . The surface is almost matte not shiny and in my opinion not thin like other flexibles . When we wash trailer we just spray water and panels become clean . We have 3 60 watts . We use Victron charger for our system . Seeing other flexibles was skeptical at first but went with these and was pleasantly surprised . Try to find YouTube’s video’s of others installations . I just taped ours down to roof with 2 in eternabond tape . Hope I spelled it right . Pat
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07-31-2021, 02:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Mary Jo
Trailer: 2020 Scamp w/2004 Volvo XC-70
Massachusetts
Posts: 338
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solar panels
I have Renogy, I check where things are made before I buy, Renogy is in Northern California, I have been unable to locate “Lensun.”. Their website says they have ‘warehouses all over the world.’. Does anyone know where they’re located, some of the “lensun” products are manufactured by ‘Sumyok’. I don’t buy products manufactured in China. I realize some products manufactured in China are better, but check the history of the products, many originated in the U.S. and the patents are now owned by China.
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07-31-2021, 02:19 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MJo
I don’t buy products manufactured in China.
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But, it's OK who owns the company?
In 2010, Volvo Cars became a subsidiary of the Chinese manufacturer Geely Holding Group.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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07-31-2021, 02:54 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: Huck
Trailer: ParkLiner
Virginia
Posts: 852
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MJo
I have Renogy, I check where things are made before I buy, Renogy is in Northern California, I have been unable to locate “Lensun.”. Their website says they have ‘warehouses all over the world.’. Does anyone know where they’re located, some of the “lensun” products are manufactured by ‘Sumyok’. I don’t buy products manufactured in China. I realize some products manufactured in China are better, but check the history of the products, many originated in the U.S. and the patents are now owned by China.
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I just threw out a Renogy solar panel and I noticed it had a made in China label on the back of it.
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07-31-2021, 04:24 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Mary Jo
Trailer: 2020 Scamp w/2004 Volvo XC-70
Massachusetts
Posts: 338
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solar panels
Well, in 2004, Volvo was owned by Ford as were 4 or 5 others. But it was made in Sweden. and I do my best to avoid things manufactured in China, and support American companies but can’t win em all.
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07-31-2021, 05:35 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: alan
Trailer: looking
Colorado
Posts: 264
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LindaandPat
Understand . Make sure to check one of their websites and understand their construction which is very different . It is very hot here right now and I would have to pull out ladder to take a few pics for you . If needed can do later . The surface is almost matte not shiny and in my opinion not thin like other flexibles . When we wash trailer we just spray water and panels become clean . We have 3 60 watts . We use Victron charger for our system . Seeing other flexibles was skeptical at first but went with these and was pleasantly surprised . Try to find YouTube’s video’s of others installations . I just taped ours down to roof with 2 in eternabond tape . Hope I spelled it right . Pat
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Thanks for the offer but I'm not ready yet and things may change by the time I am ready.
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07-31-2021, 06:16 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Pat
Trailer: Escape 2013 19 ft
California
Posts: 193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minke
Thanks for the offer but I'm not ready yet and things may change by the time I am ready.
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No problem . Pat
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07-31-2021, 06:22 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: Tom
Trailer: BigFoot 25B25RT
Massachusetts
Posts: 592
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Stay off your ladder
Here are a couple of photos of Lensun panels. One photo is of the plastic that I installed under the panel and the panel is laying underneath. They aren't 1/4" thick but they are very thick and very rugged.
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07-31-2021, 07:40 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Ron
Trailer: 2001 Casita 17' SD
IN
Posts: 140
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__________________
"Adventure Before Dementia"
2001 Casita Sprit Deluxe 17
2019 F150 4x4
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07-31-2021, 07:53 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Pat
Trailer: Escape 2013 19 ft
California
Posts: 193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThomasC
Here are a couple of photos of Lensun panels. One photo is of the plastic that I installed under the panel and the panel is laying underneath. They aren't 1/4" thick but they are very thick and very rugged.
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Two backings with their panels . Did you get the fiberglass backing ?Pat
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08-01-2021, 07:52 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Huck
Trailer: ParkLiner
Virginia
Posts: 852
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I ordered a ECO (EcoWorthy) 130W for a little over $120. If it seems to work OK, I will probably by another so I can have 1 on the roof and 1 as a portable. That way if 1 fails, I will still have 1 working.
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08-01-2021, 12:42 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: Tom
Trailer: BigFoot 25B25RT
Massachusetts
Posts: 592
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LindaandPat
Two backings with their panels . Did you get the fiberglass backing ?Pat
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No. Is this mentioned on their website?
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08-07-2021, 10:15 AM
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#20
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Member
Name: Martin
Trailer: 1993 CASITA 16SD
Texas
Posts: 82
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I've had 350 watts of Renogy panels (the traditional ones in aluminum frames) for at least 6 years without any problems. They survived hail storms that dented the heck out of my 4Runner and broke the windshield. I wouldn't hesitate to order from Renogy again.
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