Epoxy for encapsulating cells (great DIY thread with photos!)

[cindynsg]

BilljustBill,

Yes that is the same stuff but it goes for $53.00. If you can find it cheeper that that tell me please. The amount of the Slygard is about 20 oz.
..

I got a kgram for about $38 dollars not including shipping, but I can't seem to find the web address of were I got it. give me a few days I'll figure it out.

[DeltaFox 25]

you can buy sylgard at $ 41.66 thats with taxs but you have to buy three on them .
The place is http://css.superioressex.com/scripts..._indexB2C.html
you might have to log in and have a password. I have bought from them because ebay was to high. If you go there use=DC-184-1.1 , they do have several different types of sylgard. this is the non heat treated sylgard. It's $36-somthing before taxes.

[iliasmour]

Does anybody know anything about ex 74 or ex 88 from E.T.I. ?
I am thinking of using it instead of sylgard 184 for a test.
I would apreasiate an opinion from someone whith some experience since i am making my very first solar panel.
i am thinking of encapsulating directly on glass or fiberglass and i am conserned about the heat and if it will reduce cell performans.
Also if the heat expansion can destry my cells.From what i understand curent insulation should be ok .

Sorry about my english i am from greece.
I inteend to use my panels under intens sumer light With teperarurs reaching 50 maby 60degree celsious at noon and 25 30 at night.
Any iformation woyld be apretiated.

http://www.fewproducts.com/category.sc?categoryId=5

since i am going to test it anyway all my conclusions and resoults will be avaliable to anyone whose intrested.

[Jason]

Hi iliasmour,

Thank you for registering with Solar Panel Talk.

Be sure to start a new thread with your project and keep us updated! It would be greatly appreciated.

You can also make a photo album and add photos.

See you around.

[Jockito]

Has anyone successfully found a cheaper alternative to sylgard 184/2?

Has anyone researched or experimented with some of the alternative's mentioned here on this thread? It sounded like some of them may have been suitable, but no further mention was made of them.

Scheek, how is the 2 part epoxy going? Any signs of cell cracking? does the brittleness of the epoxy seem to have any effect on cells?

[DeltaFox 25]

Dow Camical has a new product for solar panel encapsulation but will only sell it to the solar manufacturer. Look up Dow Corning for information.

[mrnewbie]

I have also made a solar panel. Its a large panel 55 6x6 cells..putting out around 27V. Its about 36'w X 72"h

Used Sylgard to encaspulate..took 2 cans..I would like to see a cheaper encapsulant..

I still wanna put something else on the back side of cells..sylgard has them mostly covered..but still wanna add something else..A bit worried about heating of compounds to flex and break the cells...

Considered rubberized swimming pool paint..its cheap..but could not find white

..but kinda like this stuff better
What do you guys think about this stuff ???

http://garage-toys.com/pldippepr.html

[DeltaFox 25]

Yes , I bought some of that stuff to coat some pliyers handel. Didn't think about useing it on solar panel but it would be good on the back side . It would be a very thin layer if you did use it.
I have worked with the 6x6 cells but had alot of trouble with them now I'm useing the 5x5 and I think I'll stay with them and start making 72cell panels.
I don't buy sylgard off of ebay because it's to exspensive.

[Tigersun]

I dont know if it will work but "sealoflex" is a great elastic roof coating and it's cheap. Google it and tell me what you think.

[DeltaFox 25]

It looks good for a backing. try it.

[Tigersun]

If you use a glass with a frame then coat the back of cells back of whole panel with sealoflex would this work for encapulation? Or would the cells still be in some contact with moisture?

[DeltaFox 25]

It sounds like it would work , I have never tryed it. i used sylgard on the front and the back.

[BilljustBill]

I have also made a solar panel. Its a large panel 55 6x6 cells..putting out around 27V. Its about 36'w X 72"h

Used Sylgard to encaspulate..took 2 cans..I would like to see a cheaper encapsulant..

I still wanna put something else on the back side of cells..sylgard has them mostly covered..but still wanna add something else..A bit worried about heating of compounds to flex and break the cells...

Considered rubberized swimming pool paint..its cheap..but could not find white

..but kinda like this stuff better
What do you guys think about this stuff ???

http://garage-toys.com/pldippepr.html

I've seen that at the local Home Depot. I wonder how it rates against short and long term UV exposure?

Bill

[jestronix]

If you use a glass with a frame then coat the back of cells back of whole panel with sealoflex would this work for encapulation? Or would the cells still be in some contact with moisture?

I have cells where I have siliconed the cells to the glass, then painted the back of the cells with an undercoat and an exterior waterproof stretching paint, they have done 4 months of solid tropical heat and rain, not one bit of visible moisture, but too early to call yet.

The air itself that was trapped in there will surely contain some moisture, enough to kill the cell? time will tell.

[DeltaFox 25]

I have don that but with sylgard. I'm going to start a new way, First put sylgard on to the glass , then put the cells ( already tyed togeather and bussrar also) on top of the sylgard , then put more sylgard ontop of the cells. this way it will completly take any air out.