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

[charlie_ruizpr]

That would be a good way of doing it, how many bottles of slygard do you think I would need for a 108 cell panel?

[DeltaFox 25]

Well , let me think. My 72 cell is 64x34 and to do a panel half that size would take one slygard ( 20oz) I think that is what that size is. so I'm going to do two slygard then the cells and then two more. You know this is all kind of exsperamental. This will be the first time that I have done this size of a panel.

[Pennguy]

Fascinating conversation! How does this Slygard184 encapsulate hardens does it feel rubbery when cured or hard like plexi glass? I once found a youtube posting of a DIY'er applying a substance that when it cured it felt like rubber. I think that substance would be the best but I didn't get the name of it. I'll try in finding the link and I'll post it here so give me some time to find it again.

[DeltaFox 25]

It is kind of rubbery but it's silicone. I had to tare a 4x4 panel i had down and scrap all the cell's off and I have some peices of the slygard covered cell's I could send you if you want to see for yourself.

[Pennguy]

Yes sure if you have pics or video it'll be great to watch.

[DeltaFox 25]

I ment in the mail type of send. I could get a picture but it wouldn't really show you what ti is really like.

[cby016]

Not sure about my epoxy name. We use it in highway construction to encapulate the road surface and then apply a small gravel for friction (used on bridges,curves). I will search for the name. UV resistant, I would think so... since it is designed to work on roads.

Scheek great job on the panels. Did you ever find out the name or where to buy this epoxy? Also do you still recommend encapsulating with this method?

[smoothbrad]

Epoxies are NOT UV stable....

[wjgrisham]

I hope I get longer life out of cells by encapsulating them in epoxy. I will have pics later. Since all the chatter about corrosion and such, I decided to use a 2 part epoxy.

How I did it: After completing my soldering I had my cells facing down on my glass. I then finished my wiring. I used scotch tape to cover all edges of the cells going both ways, horizontal and vertical. I then ran a strip around the outer edge. My goal was to prevent any epoxy running between my cells onto the front side of my glass.

I used a 2 part epoxy that required (1) small styrofoam coffee cup of one and (2) cups of the other. I mixed the two and poured over the cells making sure that I had overlapped onto the glass to make a good seal.

It's dry now after a few hours and it appears to have sealed it all. NOW I'm not as worried about air getting to my cells and corroding them. Still, I'm not sure whether to leave an air vent or not, since my cells are protected. Maybe Mike has a idea.

Anyway, I'm ready to put this sucker to bed.

I am sure would like to see you pictures also. I haven

[DeltaFox 25]

Here is just one of mine and there were some mistakes and thats how i learn

[scheek]

[QUOTE=wjgrisham;12942]I am sure would like to see you pictures also. I haven

[Sandman57]

Do you know if your epoxy has any UV resistance? Generally, epoxy will yellow and degrade over time if exposed to UV.

[Pylonman]

I contacted a company in the states called Epic Resins and asked about an Epoxy for solar cells, after a couple of discussions over the phone and an in person meeting with the area rep, they agreed to send me a free sample of a Polyurethane 2 part epoxy. It arrived a few weeks later and I mixed it up according to the Data sheets and a digital scale. I must of did something wrong, because after 3 weeks of low humidity, it never hardened. I actually had to throw out an entire 36 cell panel. It looked just like slime. Too bad, my bad. Should of tried it out on a smaller panel.

[scheek]

Right. You should try out on a pc of wood first in a very small app. Sorry about that.

[leonscorpio]

Air tight panel?

Do all panels need to be air tight? forgive my ignorance, i am so new that I have materials sitting at my house (i'm in Iraq) waiting for me that I haven't seen yet.