Help repair Fafco Solar Panels

[dirtfrmr]

Split by moderator from HERE. jblizzle

Sorry to come to this thread so late!
I am interested in repairing the fafco panels I have.
at least 3 of the panels have more that 25% plugged already with more leaks.
Reading the nylon screw and liquid nail adhesive is of interest to disable those panels.
Until I can pick up some panels on the secondary market.
Did you insert the nails into the header or into the tubes cutting of the water flow?
It doesn't mater that the panels will be disabled for the mean time.
Is the any other alternative to these fixes. I have already inserted 60 plus leaks so far.

20,000 gallon pool
approx. 650 sq ft of roof top solar panels
pentair filter 420
variable speed pump
chandler AZ

Thanks for you input in advance

Roy H aka dirtfrmr

 

[jblizzle]

Re: How To Repair Fafco Sungrabber Solar Panel?

How old are your panels? Are you draining them in the winter? Where are the leaks occurring?
That many leaks points to something being done incorrectly IMO.

I bought some used Heliocol panels and installed 500sqft I think I had 3 leaks to fix. No more have developed in the last 3 years.

 

[dirtfrmr]

Re: How To Repair Fafco Sungrabber Solar Panel?

Thanks for your reply
approx. 10 years old
yes I am draining in the winter
I saw your post about the Heliocol purchase.
if the panels were the correct size would a mixture of brands work?
Currently I believe all of mine are fafco with 2" headers.

roy

 

[jblizzle]

Re: How To Repair Fafco Sungrabber Solar Panel?

Yes ... but ...

The panels attach to each other differently. So you would have to have transitions of PVC pipe between the different brands I think. Unless you had enough good panels of each brand to have them in their own banks (not sure what your layout looks like).

- - - Updated - - -

Are you the original buyer/owner? I thought they have long warranties?

 

[dirtfrmr]

Re: How To Repair Fafco Sungrabber Solar Panel?

not the original owners
these would have under warranty if I brought them
I understand they have discontinued the panels at fafco
will provide a picture today
I believe you saw my massive equipment pictures a couple of years ago when I join this group.
I am looking for pictures of the panels now
otherwise I will take new ones today.

 

[borjis]

Re: How To Repair Fafco Sungrabber Solar Panel?

Reading the nylon screw and liquid nail adhesive is of interest to disable those panels.
Until I can pick up some panels on the secondary market.
Did you insert the nails into the header or into the tubes cutting of the water flow?

I found a tutorial online but it's been a year and don't recall where that was.

in a nutshell:

you very carefully with a razor cut just above and below the leaking section of the tube,
then cut the sides to effectively remove the damaged part only. Don't cut so deep
it cuts into the back side of the mat...just enough to remove the tube on top.

Then take 2 nylon bolts, cut the heads off so you have just threaded section, then put
some liquid nails goo on the threads then shove them in the holes from where you cut
out the leaking section.

It worked very well and didn't leak again.

 

[dirtfrmr]

Re: How To Repair Fafco Sungrabber Solar Panel?

sorry have trouble uploading pic, will continue to try.
thanks for your responses
roy h aka dirtfrmr

 

[dirtfrmr]

Re: How To Repair Fafco Sungrabber Solar Panel?








these are the panels on the flat roof, not sure the photos came out that well, at least one needs to be blocked or replaced.
total I have 14 panels approx. 600 to 650 sq ft. only the flat roof panels appear to have taken the beating.

I plan to try the nylon screw method this week,
the tubes don't have a backing they just sit in holder they snap into.
so why couldn't I make the similar cut as the plugs, just glue in the nylon screw?

roy

 

[dirtfrmr]

Re: How To Repair Fafco Sungrabber Solar Panel?

An Update
well my fafco panels I have two that need to be replaced, the manufacture has discontinued these panels;
Does anyone have experience with the Vortex panels from solar discount?
They say that these with match up with fafco panels, they are different, in that the fafco has a series of tubes
The vortex appear to be more solid but have holes that run thru the panel.
My fafco panels < these 2 replaceable panels> one has over 50% being plugged, the other is 25%,
for this reason I am thinking to slowly replace the 6 panels like this over time.
Cost is in the area of $650 shipped for two panels.
Currently I don't see any used panels in my area that match the 4 x 12 panels I have.

Does anyone have any input before I purchase the panels

thanks in advance
roy

 

[Isaac-1]

I have Techno-Solis panels which are the same as the private label Vortex panels sold by Solar Direct, you can see them in my install thread from a couple of years ago here Solar Panel Replacement / Update They are rather thick and don't tend to bend much, as you can see where they are bent into a U in the shipping pallet.

 

[pooldv]

I have vortex panels, pics in build thread, link in sig.