dow pv 804 for solar junction boxes?

meridiansolar
meridiansolar Solar Expert Posts: 34 ✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
http://krayden.com/buy/itBrowse.asp?act=search&pl=DCS&sb=-rel&pgl=48

anyone buy this and use it?
if you buy 1o or more it is about $6 a tube (300ml) that can maybe I'm guessing do 3 panels?

is it worth it to use this or pay half as much for some home depot silicon cure?

also the sunelec.com laminates I got, do the edges need to be sealed? seems like most pv panel manufacturer's use some sort of silicon glue around the entire aluminum frame, obviously this helps structurally to make it rigid, but will these panels delaminate over time if the edges are not sealed up?
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: dow pv 804 for solar junction boxes?

    this may sound stupid and don't take this wrong, but why haven't you gotten the answers to your questions from the source as nobody should know more or better about the panels than they do?
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  • The Original Ralph
    The Original Ralph Solar Expert Posts: 50 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: dow pv 804 for solar junction boxes?

    actually niel makes a good point - dow has a heckuva sharp tech svc line - about 20 yrs ago we were going to use some dow silicone clear to seal the electronics on a particular application, and had a conversation with them - they recommended a different silicone sealant, as the one we were looking out, iirc, outgassed a corrosive element, corrosive to electric components

    fwiw
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  • meridiansolar
    meridiansolar Solar Expert Posts: 34 ✭
    #4
    Re: dow pv 804 for solar junction boxes?

    Because sunelec doesn't install these panels they just sell them. Their tutorial video on how to fix them is 13 to 20 minutes long and it could of been condenses into less then 3 minutes. They excel in cheap prices, and I like them a lot, but real world experience is always best. I think I'm going to try this out. Saving $1 per panel by using commerical silicon from home depot is not worth it if the silicone fails after 12 years or 24 years. I want at least 25 years from these panels.
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  • Solar Guppy
    Solar Guppy Solar Expert Posts: 1,989 ✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: dow pv 804 for solar junction boxes?

    If you want 25 year life you should have bought completed panels that come with that length of warranty. DIY has all sorts of risks and costs.

    Do you realize your in essence asking for support from a forum created and supported by a competitor to whom you bought the panels from?.
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: dow pv 804 for solar junction boxes?
    Solar Guppy wrote: »
    Do you realize your in essence asking for support from a forum created and supported by a competitor to whom you bought the panels from?.

    That doesn't matter as long as no one expects NAWS to do support for products not purchased from them.

    Although you may have noticed the link to "the other guys" has disappeared. ;)
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  • bmet
    bmet Solar Expert Posts: 630 ✭✭
    #7
    Re: dow pv 804 for solar junction boxes?

    While the price is certainly tempting, remember the old saying, Pay me now or pay me later. These laminates often exhibit charging voltages which are well outside of the useful range for stand-alone application. The 'pay me later' comes in the form of a more expensive charge controller which can handle their odd specs(not to mention the practice of ripping original junction boxes out-making your project more expensive, time intensive, and potentially damaging the trace wires underneath).

    There's another ongoing thread here in which someone bought 24V laminates which won't charge 24V of battery. That poster will have to adapt with either altered charging practices or spend $$$ on a controller to do it for them.

    Good luck.
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  • meridiansolar
    meridiansolar Solar Expert Posts: 34 ✭
    #8
    Re: dow pv 804 for solar junction boxes?

    "Do you realize your in essence asking for support from a forum created and supported by a competitor to whom you bought the panels from?. "

    Yes, but you do realize that there are lots of people here that might help me and do not care who or where I got the panels from? Some people like to help, regardless of any financial motivation.

    So I should of got framed panels In your opinion, but I didn't and still got a 20 year warranty.

    I called dow and they said a product specialist would get back to me.

    Not impressed with their lack of knowledge of thier own product line already.
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #9
    Re: dow pv 804 for solar junction boxes?
    meridiansolar wrote: »
    "Do you realize your in essence asking for support from a forum created and supported by a competitor to whom you bought the panels from?. "

    Yes, but you do realize that there are lots of people here that might help me and do not care who or where I got the panels from? Some people like to help, regardless of any financial motivation.

    I have to point out that there is no "financial motivation" here for anyone. The only two posters here (that I know of) who are part of NAWS are Windsun and Rick, and they don't post "buy from us" content either. The forum runs along on its own, and the advice is as universal as possible - as well as free. :D
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  • bmet
    bmet Solar Expert Posts: 630 ✭✭
    #10
    Re: dow pv 804 for solar junction boxes?

    I wasn't impressed with their confusing product page. All the listings differentiated by a single symbol or letter, easy to miss the silicone specific to a
    task. I can't imagine being the web head who has to keep it all correct
    meridiansolar wrote: »

    Not impressed with their lack of knowledge of thier own product line already.
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  • meridiansolar
    meridiansolar Solar Expert Posts: 34 ✭
    #11
    Re: dow pv 804 for solar junction boxes?

    I got some pv 804 in. it comes in white caulk tubes just like at home depot, seems to work well.
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