Solar panel Repair...Don't throw yours Out Until You Watch This Video! Off Grid Living.

In today's video I'm repairing a solar panel that was discarded because it was hit by lightning, this is a very common problem with solar panels and most likely an easy fix...so don't throw out your Solar panel until you watch this video of me doing my Solar panel repair. If you are wanting to live Off Grid and use Solar you should know this.

[@ketchhomesteadoutdoors4048]

Very informative and very easy to fix. Nice job. Thanks for the video 👍

[@hugostiglitz6914]

I would test the diode in situ. Also put the panel face down on a workbench, not facing the sun. Better practice!

[@user-cu2nj5vv9w]

How do you repair the glass on a solar panel

[@TheWrena440]

Thanks Cecil, I feel energized now!

[@vidili68]

Ha ha Have a good day be safe

[@thelazyfishkeeper2730]

i like it. easy fix if you know what your doing. learning something new stay well

[@vidili68]

I too Have a good day be safe

[@owenconnors9897]

Thanks for the lesson today. I'll keep that info in my back pocket, it will come in handy soon : )

[@dennisbarnett1995]

Hi Heather and Cecil, Dennis here from Filer, Idaho USA. Here to watch another update on the pole barn build. Glad I found your channel. I have learned alot. Thank you

[@donbowersock9564]

Good job another panel saved.

[@deanbarr5740]

That was some good stuff to know Cecil, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@briantaylor6257]

Thanks for the lesson on diodes

[@WACRE44]

Thanks that’s awesome learning new stuff

[@camreed7073]

i love that 18 volt tester you should patent those that's a million tester right there everybody needs old tools with no batteries very good demonstration on testing stuff

[@raymondamaral8602]

I watch you all the time and I enjoy the content

[@tomfillmore9710]

good fix Cecil you are a jack of all trades very smart take care

[@popmurphy9859]

Good job on that solar panel! Would be interesting to see a video of the setup of your solar system you sure got lots of power there. You and Heather stay safe and happy! Pop

[@UpperSkyDJ]

Thanks for the great tutorial 🤠

[@1944chevytruck]

Cecil can fix anything!... thanks 4 video. be kind.

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello, well thank you very much. You have a great day. Cheers!

[@stanphilpot9317]

Thats great,you make it simple, thanks

[@kurtspann442]

Testing diodes are easy to test. Simply do a resistance test across the diode. Should have only resistance one way and no resistance when reversing your terminals. Diodes are a one way valve for electricity. May have to isolate the diode your Testing if in parallel.

[@camreed7073]

yes we all know that but got to make it interesting

[@Dennis-mq6or]

That technique will work if the panels are not producing any energy, (in the dark or panel covered with opaque material so light cannot hit it), but if they are producing energy, (voltage and current present), then connecting your meter across the diode will blow out the fuse in the meter, (or worse)!

[@jimlong527]

Good knowledge. Thanks

[@billymckenzie369]

To test a diode you only have to unsolder one end of it from the circuit. Using about a 2k ohm scale a good diode will show a low reading one way and no reading if you reverse the meter leads on the diode. If the meter reading is a low reading, while testing the diode with the leads in both directions, the diode is shorted and bad and should be replaced. Also, if it does not show a low meter reading in one of the test, it is open and should be replaced.

[@skywalker_0427]

whats the specs of the replacement diodes for 250w mono 36v panels. i have a setup in a remote location with poor performing panels. want to save myself a 2way roundtrip by going with replacement diodes

[@richardroyles1423]

That’s neat. God bless. Kansas

[@kenelbrave2420]

i learned something

[@liljoeii6091]

THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO

[@richardTEPUZ]

Enjoyed the video

[@renoflames]

VERY GOOD VIDEO...

[@KrissBartlett]

Thanks for that was good to know never knew that great job thanks for that !!!

[@steveholbrook4729]

Good day

[@vidili68]

You too Have a good day be safe

[@DesertTuna]

Cool man well done u was expecting 24v so impressed oh cool

[@name-ey5it]

So cool

[@vittoesmith1]

Good video.

[@harrytaylor6854]

good one o one

[@offgridwanabe]

Don't forget to ground all your arrays it may help with the lightening strikes.

[@johnolafson263]

Enjoyed

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello John, thank you. Cheers!

[@normsatv]

Cool i learn something 👍 i bought new solder gun like that find works awesome indoors outside cools off to much gives me greif keep enough heat may look into different tip that is smaller or point type may hold heat .

[@Adam-mf9cl]

Thanks for the Video. But, Tin your soldering iron. Also Rosin Flux is awesome for big projects. Just got panels so I’m appreciate the lesson..

[@alanhomer5116]

that's cool

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello Alan, thank you...I'm glad you enjoyed it. Cheers!

[@cphank151]

It would be better to shut off the panel while soldering or unsoldering. Better to work on any circuit with power off if possible. You could put it face down on the ground or cover it with a dark blanket held in place with appropriate clips at the top.

[@mm-wh4jx]

great

[@guygrotke8059]

Soldering guns heat up very quickly, because they only heat a tiny bit at the tip. That heat may not be enough to solder thick PV wire or diodes because the copper and diode clamp are good heat sinks. I can actually solder much better with my 30 watt pencil iron than with my 100 watt gun because it heats a much larger piece of copper. Nobody needs the special tool to open MC4 connectors! You can actually just push the clips in with your fingers and rock the connectors apart. You don't have to recycle questionable diodes: They are dirt cheap from Digikey and you know they are good. Used ones might conduct in one direction, but not very well if they have been stressed. Their only function is to bypass a shaded panel. If there is no chance of shading, they do nothing.

[@obaroaluya3762]

How do they actually bypass a shaded panel..? I have often wondered the use..?

[@hubertwebb9869]

Cecil you are brilliant, where did you acquire that information about the diodes?

[@willwade1101]

You don't have to take a diode out to test them. Your meter should have a position that when you touch the leads together you get a beep. Use this setting and touch each end of the diode, if you don't get a beep then reverse your leads. If you get a beep that way the diode is good, if you get no beep or if it beeps both ways then the diode is bad.

[@Dennis-mq6or]

That technique will work if the panels are not producing any energy, (in the dark or panel covered with opaque material so light cannot hit it), but if they are producing energy, (voltage and current present), then connecting your meter across the diode will blow out the fuse in the meter, (or worse)!

[@willwade1101]

Just cover it with a blanket.@@Dennis-mq6or

[@Dennis-mq6or]

That will work too if the blanket does not let any light in. And you cover both sides...@@willwade1101

[@loubas8785]

oh well I guess i asked before watching until the end when you said you had someone drop the panels of to you, looks like i had a premature commentation happens to all of us no? i hope i'm not the only one cheers and god bless

[@randycornell9796]

Awesomeness!! Stay safe my friend's.🤓👍🤓👍 Randy.

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello Randy, well thank you. You stay safe as well. Cheers!

[@DanWebster]

nice video the diode directs the power to only one direction without it the power would never build to the ness voltage; question: do the panels themselves wear out and can they be rejuvenated?

[@michaelmcdonald6727]

Great tutorial there Cecil and Heather! I was never much of an electrician but you make it look easy. Thanks much for sharing!

[@bobjoncas2814]

good one. bush bunnies

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Thanks Bob, Cheers!

[@offgridinthepacificnorthwe3210]

So far I have never lost a diode. I have a few panels on our machine shed that are 20 years old and doing fine. All the panels on the main house system are either USA or Canadian made. Do you think it is the Asian made panels that have inferior diodes? I know the German panels as well as t he Tywan last a long time. I do have about 10 Renogy panels that are 7 years old and have never skipped a beat. I have spair diodes just in case. Thanks for the tips.

[@jenniferwhite6089]

lucky i have a night mare with ours first panels were great had a very bad storm damaged the panels bought new panels were i bought them the did the installment too i have steep roof were they had to go yea i did tell them and sent pictures to them to had then salesman and the installers sign off on the picture too they were very upset when they got here bigger job then wait they quote it on doing to i was not born yesterday why i had the salesman sign off on the job say their no longer in business i had to replace the damage they done to the roof before i had to hang the panels yes i put the first one up myself i know how hard it was to do to i just rebuild here again house id 10 time the size it was now private museum i live in the room for dust bunnies to multiply lol

[@Camsou492]

How do I know what size of diode to buy for my old solar panels? I bought mine used and don’t have any data for them but they all have this issue of low voltage. I believe this may fix them.

[@skywalker_0427]

whats the specs of the replacement diodes for 250w mono 36v panels. i have a setup in a remote location with poor performing panels. want to save myself a 2way roundtrip by going with replacement diodes

[@billymckenzie369]

Let me share some things that will make things easier and better with jobs like this. First, get some pieces of #10 romex and make your tips, for that Weller soldering iron, out of that wire. Bend the wire to look like the original tip. When you first heat the new tip, melt some fresh solder on the tip at the front where it’s supposed to be hottest. That process of “tinning the tip” will make for the hottest point of heat transfer for soldering and unsoldering. Also the #10 wire will get hotter than the original tip. Occasionally, when using the iron it helps to clean the tip with a metal brush, reapply fresh solder and wipe off the excess, thereby retinning the tip. Also it helps to clean the tip if the solder has a resin core, but that’s not totally necessary.

[@babymaker13th]

how do you change the inverter ?

[@obaroaluya3762]

My panel 4pcs not producing any voltage or irregular potentials across the diodes terminal points. Measuring 0v, 0v, 11v. Sometimes, it shows 10v, 10v, 10v. Then next shows 0v, 0v, 0v Is the problem the wafer..? Or the busbars..? Is the panel expired..?

[@Whipple1]

Well now, Sparky. That was a very interesting video. I have no previous experience with solar power so I can legitimately say everything I know about solar power I learned from Professor Skinner! Cheers! Whipple

[@minipv9972]

Any updates? how do they perform now?

[@ronaldclark2624]

Soldering Guns are not recommended for use on Solid State devices as the tip has a magnetic field! The diodes probably block the different panels from drawing current to each other but I have little knowledge of Solar panels. The voltage drop across germanium diodes is 0.2volts and silicon is 0.6 volts. you can measure that with your volt meter. Ron

[@Dennis-mq6or]

That technique will work if the panels are not producing any energy, (in the dark or panel covered with opaque material so light cannot hit it), but if they are producing energy, (voltage and current present), then connecting your meter across the diode will blow out the fuse in the meter, (or worse)!

[@clydenakashima7393]

Properly why your iron is not heating up is the long run of your extension cord is causing a voltage drop. To test this out plug your iron right at the source to see it heats up quickly. Stay safe.

[@Dennis-mq6or]

Right idea about resistance, but wrong place... I had exactly that same soldering gun and it was a great tool but it had a very weak link. The weak link was the connection from the two very large pole pieces on the front to the replaceable tip.. The method of tightening the tip in place to provide a very low resistance contact was a really bad design. The older models and the later models had a much improved clamping system for the tip. The only way to fix the problem with that gun is to remove the tip, use a round file or rolled up sandpaper to clean the hole the tip slides in to, then clean the parts of the tip that touch inside those holes, and put the tip back in and TIGHTEN the clamping screw as tightly as possible without stripping the threads. The resistance of that connection should be as close to zero ohms as possible..... There is a paste called no-ox-id, or de-ox-it that can be used to make the good contact connection last longer but I have never used it. Last but not least........Frequently tighten that clamping screw because they get loose due to heating and cooling cycles...

[@lloydwilliams8715]

Good morning Skinners and fellow Viewers. Hoodie to u all from the sunny island of Jamaica 🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@robertmartinez5086]

Is that normal for the size of that solar panel to put out 36 watts ?

[@rbell38340]

What do you think is making the diodes go bad? Is there anything upstream that could be causing it?

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello Richard, I was told they got hit by lightning. Cheers!

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

If diodes go bad, they should be replaced. But, they usually, don't. Just take your time, do things right.

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello, the panels were hit by lightning...that overloads the diodes and burns them out. These panels are still in service to this day and are working flawlessly, I'd say they were done right. Cheers!

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

@@SkinnersOffGrid I wanted to say: take the diodes out, to measure and replace them.

[@jackson4569]

You need to clean and retin the solder tip.

[@user-tn7xo7ky9o]

Can you repair panels that fit damaged in hail storm? I've heard of people putting a stick in film over the shattered glass but I would think it wouldn't produce as much energy since it's not clear anymore. Then I don't know if the film would work where the glass had homes in it Storm hit us hard yesterday evening that produced 90-100 mph winds with golf ball size hail. Then after the hail >4" rain. Fast moving storm, only last approx 45 min. My parents have a massive 12 kw system. Only 1 panel producing 100%, 90% aren't doing anything & rest gimping along. System only 14 months old, seems so wasteful to trash them

[@serzhdyubro8083]

Oh, I tried to text here how to check the diodes with multimeter and... understood that it will be so long text :-)))) So, decided not to write so long comment :-)) But it's really very easy to check the diodes having the only multimeter with the resistance measurement mode. See Kurt Spann comment, it's short and informative.

[@Dennis-mq6or]

That technique will work if the panels are not producing any energy, (in the dark or panel covered with opaque material so light cannot hit it), but if they are producing energy, (voltage and current present), then connecting your meter across the diode will blow out the fuse in the meter, (or worse)!

[@robertstratford9598]

Cecil have you ever thought about putting a heat pump in the ground to get energy from ?? .

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello Robert, I have thought of it...but it seems quite expensive, maybe someday. Cheers!

[@Dennis-mq6or]

What are the numbers on those diodes?

[@barrb6134]

Diodes act as a gate for current. You don't have to remove to test if they're good. With a VOM set to ohms, place (+ & -) leads on each end of the diode, and measure, then reverse those leads. Current will only be allowed to flow in one direction hence measurement will only be possible in one direction.

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello, I've tried to test the diodes in place with no success, These panels have two stacked diodes in each circuit, if You test the top one it may be good but if the bottom is bad, then both will read as bad.You have to disconnect at least one end to test them. Cheers!

[@Dennis-mq6or]

That technique will work if the panels are not producing any energy, (in the dark or panel covered with opaque material so light cannot hit it), but if they are producing energy, (voltage and current present), then connecting your meter across the diode will blow out the fuse in the meter, (or worse)!

[@petervogwill6499]

Present theory first , then demonstrate...? ?

[@marksefton4867]

More sawmill video's

[@frankche3389]

I need help to fix my 2 solar panel boxes, both red lights are on and I couldn't find anyone willing to help me to fix it. The company that installed my solar was long gone. Need directions, thanks. Frank

[@100musicplaylists3]

where can a learn solar repair thoroughly? any ideas?

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello, if you look at some of my other videos they may really help you out. Cheers!

[@petervogwill6499]

You mean to say : each section , each diode -- is to be tested....any failure can impair correct voltage output....? Testing involves sectional verification..? WHAT is involved to further determine if SECTION is defective...meter each.., without diode , or is diode necessary for full output..? Huh ?

[@toddmeanie6003]

Just curious what's the size and part number them diodes

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello Todd, I'm not sure...I'll take a look later and let you know. Cheers!

[@MyFairbanks]

I’m not sure why you can not check the diode with the ohm meter?

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello, I can It's very easy...this is for people who don't own a multi meter.

[@Dennis-mq6or]

That technique will work if the panels are not producing any energy, (in the dark or panel covered with opaque material so light cannot hit it), but if they are producing energy, (voltage and current present), then connecting your meter across the diode will blow out the fuse in the meter, (or worse)!

[@rohanboswell5408]

My friend has one that's busted on the side ..can't a bisted one be fixed ,he sent me pictures but not close up

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello, just test it to see how bad it is..it should still make some power. Best of luck. Cheers!

[@acdatz6222]

What causes the diodes to fail?

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello, usually power surges or reverse hookup. Cheers!

[@fredmetcalf]

Your multimeter should have a diode test function whereby you can measure the forward voltage drop of the diode....silicon diode would have a voltage drop of 0.7 volts. If you have that, the diode is "good".....When semiconductors fail, well over 99% of the time it will be a short.....if this weren't so, we couldn't have satellites up in orbit.....Look for a diode test function on your multimeter. Also, the major reason diodes will fail in your application is excessive current thru the diode.....look for a replacement diode of higher current rating (as high as reasonable and affordable) and a reverse voltage rating (PRV) of 50V or 100 V. It should be uncommon for these diodes to fail....if you have the right diodes for the application. Rgds, fm

[@fredmetcalf]

37 years in electrical engineering

[@Dennis-mq6or]

That technique will work if the panels are not producing any energy, (in the dark or panel covered with opaque material so light cannot hit it), but if they are producing energy, (voltage and current present), then connecting your meter across the diode will blow out the fuse in the meter, (or worse)!

[@josefreck1103]

👌👍😁😊

[@loubas8785]

hi guys Cecil I'm looking to buy some solar panels for my cabin near Burks Falls and I wouldn't mind finding some larger voltage panels that I can fix my self, in order to save some money can you tell me were you found those panels you have, if i remember correctly you picked them up as damaged or "As Is" panels thanks but if you don't remember its no problem you have a good day cheers

[@trevornesbitt8350]

Diodes are cheap 30 for $13 amazon

[@hardyjensen8110]

👍👍🇩🇰🇩🇰😁

[@arthurme1911]

Might be time to get glasses that you wear all the time

[@teddytheyorkielowellpenner777]

Why not just replacece with new diode as cheap as they are

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello, They are not that accessible up here, we can't just run to the local General store and buy them ;-) Cheers!

[@mikeembrey9176]

Do the solar panel repair dealers sell their customers new panels rather than replace the diodes if so what a rip-off

[@SkinnersOffGrid]

Hello Mike, the problem is these panels are probably over 16 years old now....it seems most people would rather just buy new and throw the old ones away. Cheers!

[@mikeembrey9176]

That's great for people like you that likes to repair things it's a throw away society we live in have a great day 👍🏻

[@jenniferwhite6089]

we call that way butcher-er or know the farmer way of doing things laughing i repeated you knowledge to i have trade tickets there right and the farmers way of doing thing unsafe way ' i own a farm too