Solar Equipment, who has the oldest?

Question

When my charge controller failed a few weeks ago I looked to see how old it was... 1993 Bobbier Sun Selector with a mercury switch lasted 23 years of 24/7/365 use.

Then I looked up the paperwork on my Tri-Metric Battery Monitor (the original meter) which is still working fine 24/7/365 since spring of 1994. Bought it from Ralph Hiesey himself.

Inverters are another story, I have a pile of toasted ones in my storage shed. Oldest one still in service is a Xantrex 1000 that is nearly 20 years old.

PV modules all still working. Oldest is 30 years.

ryanw821 · Answer

:B I like hearing stories like this, though I would imagine as costs have plummeted on PV panels and controllers I doubt we will see the kind of build quality that lasts that long any more, though one can hold out hope :C

mrwizard · Answer

Got me beat
My oldest panels are 20 yrs old, date to 1995 Siemens and hooked to the fridge vent exhaust fans to help in hot weather
I have some unisolar panels that are 15yrsold
And some brand new panels bought last year

tonyandkaren · Answer

You have us beat too. Two of our panels are 21 years old but we moved them to our current RV so everything else is only six years old.

pianotuna · Answer

My previous RV had panels on it from 1987. Sadly the new owner this spring had it towed to the wrecking yard. 30 watts for $1700 way back when.

hugemoth · Answer

My 30 year old PV modules are ARCO brand monocrystal bought used surplus. Also have a few really really old modules with round monocrystal cells on a fiberglass backing and transparent silicone over the cells rather than glass. Still work but not in use.

Forum Discussion

Solar Equipment, who has the oldest?

About RV Must Haves

Related Content

outside equipment

Dingy Towing Equipment

Oldest 5th Wheel on the Road

Oldest PUP still being used?

Oldest Class C with bunkhouse