Basic Solar Panel Question
I am full time and met another full-timer who has a solar Panel issue. He is in an older C-Class Ford and picked up a panel and got it twisted. Apparently, he reversed the polarity and tried to hook...
Forum Discussion
Did he drop, bend or twist the panel? Yes it is possible to physically damage the panel.
The diodes are bypass diodes in case any of the three sections are shaded or in your case damaged. The bypass diodes allow current from the functioning sections to bypass the others. I doubt there is an issue with the diodes.
Generally you can short the panel leads and no harm will come to the panel itself. Controller is polarity critical and is easily damaged with reverse polarity.
I assume you verified the meter was working. Generally I would look at getting a new panel if you can't find 40 volts.
325 watt panel $166
The diodes are bypass diodes in case any of the three sections are shaded or in your case damaged. The bypass diodes allow current from the functioning sections to bypass the others. I doubt there is an issue with the diodes.
Generally you can short the panel leads and no harm will come to the panel itself. Controller is polarity critical and is easily damaged with reverse polarity.
I assume you verified the meter was working. Generally I would look at getting a new panel if you can't find 40 volts.
325 watt panel $166
