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Old 01-08-2020, 07:04 PM   #1
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Solar panel cleaning (Success)

In an earlier post, we discussed the challenge of flexible solar panels becoming hazy and impacting the performance. Did some research on headlight restoration products and found that Meguiars had excellent ratings so I tried it.

Was a simple two step process. Took about 20 minutes to do one panel. Takes a little elbow grease but worth the effort!



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Old 01-08-2020, 07:11 PM   #2
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Thanks.

Good idea.
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Old 01-08-2020, 09:13 PM   #3
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Nice! Thanks for posting your results...I’m going to have to try that on ours.
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Old 01-08-2020, 09:33 PM   #4
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Thanks for the post. Have to try ours.
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Old 01-08-2020, 10:59 PM   #5
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Hey thanks Edandshelly... I'll give it a try tomorrow and report after.
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Old 01-09-2020, 01:49 PM   #6
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Have you noticed increase electricity production after the cleaning?
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Old 01-09-2020, 02:19 PM   #7
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I read somewhere that Coke can be used to clear headlight lenses, wonder if that's true and if it would work here on these panels.
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Old 01-09-2020, 02:51 PM   #8
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Would have been nice to see the voltages before and after!
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Old 01-09-2020, 03:07 PM   #9
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Regarding voltage differences after cleaning/de-fogging:

I have two portable suitcase units: Zamp 120 watt; and Dokio 100 watt.

Both of these units are stored out of the sun except when camping. The Zamp is stored in it's Mfg. case. The Dokio is suitcase folded, not in a case.

During my last camping of the season last Summer I cleaned both using the same product I use to clean my RV windows.

I don't recall the exact numbers, but for both units, the amperage after just cleaning almost doubled, and they weren't real dirty. Most of the 'dirt' was just dust and dried rain drops (it sprinkled over night). There is no noticable sun-fogging on either unit.

I'll hazzard a guess that de-fogging a solar panel, which also removes the dirt, will more than double the amps out.
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Old 01-09-2020, 03:29 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EdandShelley View Post
In an earlier post, we discussed the challenge of flexible solar panels becoming hazy and impacting the performance. Did some research on headlight restoration products and found that Meguiars had excellent ratings so I tried it.

Was a simple two step process. Took about 20 minutes to do one panel. Takes a little elbow grease but worth the effort!



Excellent, I will definitely give this a try, my solar has been dropping off steadily to where I am only getting 7.5 Amps with 400W of solar. All are flexible panels and look pretty hazy.
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Old 01-09-2020, 04:15 PM   #11
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Only one panel cleaned and it’s raining today and into early next week. Will report before and after once both are done.
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Old 01-09-2020, 10:23 PM   #12
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will be interesting to see how long it lasts. I could get around 6 months out of my headlights before they were completely fogged again. I ended up buying new headlight assemblies.
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Old 01-10-2020, 05:52 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EdandShelley View Post
In an earlier post, we discussed the challenge of flexible solar panels becoming hazy and impacting the performance. Did some research on headlight restoration products and found that Meguiars had excellent ratings so I tried it.

Was a simple two step process. Took about 20 minutes to do one panel. Takes a little elbow grease but worth the effort!



Order placed yesterday, as my GoPower panels look exactly like your hazy one. It'll have to wait until spring though...
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