dennisvr Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 I bought some used solar panels and found one that had reverse polarity. Has anyone else seen this happen? "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Smith Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 What is reverse polarity on a solar panel ??? Steve and Joy Amateur Radio Operator WZ1T . . . Flex 6600 M, Flex PGXL, Flex TGXL, 2014 Itasca Suncruiser 38Q . . . Lincoln MKX Toad The Kids . . . Yogi the Yorkie passed 10/20/2018. . . Cookie the Chihuahua passed 11/30/2017 . . . Cooper the Aussie Doodle passed 3/10/2020 Abbie and Abel the Doodles . . . Brother and Sister Born 02/02/2020 . . . Lucy the Yorkie . . . and Axel . . .The Bernie Doodle Where We Are Now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldjohnt Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Are you saying if you stick a voltmeter on one out in the sunlight the terminal marked + is actually - ?????????????? Ones I've looked into have a Diode. John T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Probably someone stuck the wires on backwards so the wire marked + is on the negative of the panel.. The diode is to prevent the solar panel from draining your battery at night....kinda like a check valve. <p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well. IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted July 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 I bought 6 panels and checked them with a DVOM. Five of them are positive on the female plugs and negative on the male. One of them is just the opposite. I don't know if someone had wired it wrong or if there was some way that it could reverse polarity on its own. These are 165 watt panels that I believe were taken off houses because the guy I got them from had about 50 of them. I figured for $150.00 for the 6 I would take a chance. I have four installed and the seem to be doing OK. "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldjohnt Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Dennis, you ask: "I don't know if someone had wired it wrong or if there was some way that it could reverse polarity on its own." FWIW I'm going with "someone had it wired wrong" I don't see the physics and electro-chemistry of the panel reversing polarity "ON ITS OWN" that is, but I'm NOT a Solar Panel Engineer or Solar expert. John T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 I'm with John T..... I'd check it right at the panel - not at the wires. If the panel reads correctly simply reverse the wires and reattach them. Of cut off the MC connectors and wire the old fashioned way. Good thing you checked them, though. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarDreamers.us Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Sounds like you got a very good deal. Was that the total amount or a per panel charge? Safe Travels! SKP #89742 - Lifetime membership - Member of the SKP Class of 2007Good Sam Club - Lifetime MemberDataStorm #5423Passport America - Lifetime MemberSons Of The American Revolution (SAR) - Lifetime MemberAmerican Legion - USAF - Lifetime MemberRotary Club Member - 30 years Escapee CARE Supporter National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted July 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Jack, I checked them when I got them, but didn't notice it was reversed. I checked them pretty quick so I may have missed it. I installed 4 of them and didn't get the output I expected so I checked each one again and found the bad one. StarDreamers.us That was the total cost for all 6 panels, that's why I thought I couldn't get hurt to bad if one or two were bad. "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldjohnt Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Dennis, you stated " I checked them when I got them, but didn't notice it was reversed. I checked them pretty quick so I may have missed it. I installed 4 of them and didn't get the output I expected so I checked each one again and found the bad one." Subject to series or parallel connections, one "bad apple" can certainly cause such problems. I'm MUCH MORE concerned with a mis match in a parallel configuration then I would be if in series (unless a diode prevents current flow altogether), although my preference is that all are matched. If a diode is present in a series circuit which would prevent reverse current flow, that would prevent charging. John T NOT a Solar Engineer so no warranty, still my best thoughts however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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