NaturePower Semi Flex Solar Panel User Manual
WARNING: Read carefully and understand all assembly and operation instructions before operating. Failure to follow the safety rules and other basic safety precautions may result in serious personal injury.
Important Safety Information
Thank you for choosing a Nature Power Product.Save the receipt and these instructions. It is important that you read the entire manual to become familiar with this product before you begin using it.This product is designed for certain applications only. the distributor cannot be responsible for issues arising from modification. We strongly recommend this product not be modified and/or used for any application other than that for which it was designed. If you have any question relative to a particular application, Do not use the product until you have first contacted the distributor to determine if it can or should be performed on the product.
For technical question please call 1800-588-0590
WARNING
- Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all instructions may result in serious injury or property damage.
- The warnings, cautions, and instructions in this manual cannot cover all possible conditions or situations that could occur. Exercise common sense and caution when using this tool. Always be aware of the environment and ensure that the tool is used in a safe and responsible manner.
- Do not allow persons to operate or assemble the product until they have read this manual and have developed a thorough understanding of how it works.
- Do not modify this product in any way. Unauthorized modification may impair the function and/or safety and could affect the life of the product. There are specific applications for which the product was designed.
- Use the right tool for the job. DO NOT attempt to force small equipment to do the work of larger industrial equipment. There are certain applications for which this equipment was designed. It will be a safer experience and do the job better at the capacity for which it was intended. DO NOT use this equipment for a purpose for which it was not intended.
- Industrial or commercial applications must follow OSHA requirements.
WARNING
This product can expose you to chemicals, including Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov
Cautions
- Never touch the end of output cables with your bare hands when the modules are irradiated.Handle wires with rubber-gloved hands to avoid electric shock.
- Do not wear metallic jewelry when working on electrical equipment.
- Product should be installed and maintained by qualified personnel.
- Do not drop tool or other item on the glass of the solar module.
- Do not scratch the back film of the solar panel.
- Avoid exposing solar panels to partial sunlight or shadows. Partial sunlight can cause hot spots on the panel.
- Do not pour chemicals on module when cleaning.
- Keep module away from children
Precautions when working with batteries
- Never smoke or allow a spark or flame near the batteries.
- Batteries generate hydrogen and oxygen during charging resulting in evolution of explosive gas mixture. Care should be taken to ventilate the battery area and follow the battery manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Batteries contain very corrosive diluted sulphuric acid as electrolyte. Precautions should be taken to prevent contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
- Use caution to reduce the risk of dropping a metal tool on the battery. It could spark or short circuit the battery or other electrical parts and could cause an explosion.
- Remove metal items like rings, bracelets and watches when working with batteries. The batteries can produce a short circuit current high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal and thus cause a severe burn.
- If you need to remove a battery, always remove the ground terminal from the battery first. make sure that all the accessories are off so that you do not cause a spark.
- Use properly insulated tools only when making battery connections.
Precautions when working with solar panelsWith the incidence of sunlight or other light sources on all solar panels, a voltage appears at the output terminals of the solar panel turning it into a source of electricity. To avoid a shock hazard make sure the solar panel is covered with an opaque (dark) material such as paper/cloth during the installation. Do not make contact with the terminals when the panel is exposed to sunlight or other light sources.
Precautions when working with Charge ControllersIf two or more solar panels are connected in series/parallel make sure that the sum of the short circuit current ratings of all panel strings does not exceed 80% of the charge controller’s current rating.
Intended Use
Semi-Flexible panels are weather, water and corrosion resistant making them a perfect option for marine applications, RVs, camping and emergency back up. This panel can continuously recharge your 12V batteries with the power of the sun. Light enough to mount on a window with suction cups and durable enough to mount permanently outdoors on a range of vehicles.
Parts List
56801 – 3W
Reference |
Parts Description | Quantity |
1 | 3W Solar panel |
1 |
2 |
Suction cups | 4 |
3 | Battery clamp cable |
1 |
4 |
DC car plug cable | 1 |
5 | Manual |
1 |
56802 – 5W
Reference |
Parts Description | Quantity |
1 | 5W Solar panel |
1 |
2 |
Suction cups | 4 |
3 | Battery clamp cable |
1 |
4 |
DC car plug cable | 1 |
5 | Manual |
1 |
Specification
Property |
56801 | 56802 |
Solar Cells | Monocrystalline |
Monocrystalline |
Maximum Power(Pmax) |
3 Watt | 5 Watt |
Current at Pmax(Imp) | 168 mA |
280 mA |
Voltage at Pmax(Vmp) |
18 Volt | 18 Volt |
Short Circuit Current(Isc) | 180 mA |
302 mA |
Operating Instructions
Solar panel output power lower than 12 Watts do not require a charge controller to charge battery*, these panels can charge the battery directly as the output current are much lower than the Amp-hour rating of the battery.
Use with correct battery
- Please uses to charge a 12 volt rechargeable battery.
- Do not attempt to recharge non-rechargeable batteries.
- 6 volt battery configurations may also be used if connected in series (Negative to Positive).
- You may use to charge a Sealed Lead Acid battery, a Gel-Cell or a Deep Cycle 12 Volt battery,
- Batteries size from 4-22 Ah are recommend.
Noted: Do not charge the lithium battery without using the charge controller.
Connecting the batteryAlways connecting the postive to positive, negative to negative. a voltage meter or a digital multi-meter may be needed to check the cable’s palority from solar panel.
Location of solar modulePlease locate your solar module in a position where it can absorb direct sunlight on the solar panel, and generally free from cover and shade. To capture the most sunlight in a day Solar Modules should be facing 20 degrees South if you are in the Northern hemisphere and 20 degrees North if you are in the Southern hemisphere. The Solar Module can become very hot, please keep out of reach of children. Do not place heavy objects on Solar Module.
Out put power testingYou may use a voltage meter or a digital multi-meter to measure the voltage of your Semi-Flexible Solar Module before connecting to the battery. Voltage can range between 15-22 volts; Testing will ensure correct charging operation. Testing equipment not included.
FAQ
- Will this solar panel work with a 24V battery?This is for 12V battery charging only. Please call Nature Power Customer Service for more 24V system configuration.
- How do solar system work?The panel’s photovoltaic cells convert the energy in sunlight to electricity, the electricity is then stored in the battery and an inverter will allow you to plug in appliances. there is 4 major components needed to set up your solar off grid system. Solar panels, charge controller to control the charge to the battery bank, a battery for power storage and an inverter to transfer DC power from the battery to an AC power.
- How to use a charge controller?Charge controllers are required for installations of solar systems arrays that are rated 12 Watts and higher. Charge Controllers help to protect the battery(s) and solar panel(s) from harmful reverse currents, battery over charging and high wattage surges, addition protections are found on larger charge controllers. Nature Power Products offers charge controllers from 8Amp-32Amp. One Charge Controller can regulate multiple solar panels.
- How should my solar panels be positioned in order to produce the most power?In the Northern Hemisphere, The best direction to face solar panels is south. However, using your judgment in figuring out which location gets the most sun, would be helpful.
- Does the panels need to be in direct sun to work?No, although solar panels produce the highest wattage output in direct sunlight, they will still produce power on cloudy days.
- Will I need solar maintenance?Solar panels generally require very little maintenance. They are very durable but should always be cleaned to prevent dust and debris particles from causing shading on the solar panels. batteries might need to be changed every few years.
- How long does installation take?This is a very basic setup plug and play, however, installing the panel to a flat surface might require able bodies with a little bit of know how’s.
- On what roof materials can solar be installed?Solar panels can be installed on any roof material that can take the weight of the panel. properly mounted solar panel system is essential, as a an improperly mounted solar panel can cause leaks or other roof issues.
Solar Panels Weekly Power Chart
Please noted all run times/ratings are estimates only and may vary depending on your location, time of day, time of year and are based on 7 Hours of full sunlight per day.
Solar panel Rated Hourly (Maximum output) | 3W | 5W | 8W | 50W |
168 mA | 280 mA | 445 mA | 2.78 A | |
Weekly Output | 147 W∙h | 245 W∙h | 392 W∙h | 2.45 KW∙h |
Weekly Power Run Time | ||||
Fluorescent Light 40 watts | 3.6 hr | 6 hr | 9.8 hr | 61 hr |
Laptop 20-50 watts | 3 hr | 5 hr | 2.6 hr | 49 hr |
Fan 80 watts | 1.8 hr | 3 hr | 4.9 hr | 30 hr |
PC 80-150 watts | 1 hr | 1.6 hr | 2.6 hr | 16 hr |
40″ Television/ Projector 200 watts | 0.7 hr | 1.2 hr | 2 hr | 12.2 hr |
Connecting Additional Solar Panels
Go to www.naturepowerproducts.com for a larger selection of renewable energy products and accessories
*200 watt solar system with 30 Amp charge controller and DC to AC power inverter. (Not included, sample display only! )
Limited Warranty
Nature Power warrants our products to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for the period of 1 year from date of purchase, 2 year warranted to generate up to 80% of rated power from date of purchase. In the case of product defect, contact Nature Power customer service to receive trouble shooting. If defective part or unit should bereturned, a Return Authorization Number must be issued by Nature Power and the defective part or unit should be returned to the authorized location at the purchasers’ expense. A dated proof of purchase is required to receive warranty service. Once received at authorized location and defect proves to be the result of defective material and workmanship, the defective part or unit will be replaced at warrantors’ option and returned to the original purchaser at warrantors’ expense. No refunds will be granted by the warrantor, in the event of buyer’s remorse please contact your point of purchase within and in adherence to their return policy. Refunds are granted at the retailers’ discretions.
Customer Support
Please contact Nature Power Products to acquire more information:Tell: 1-800-588-0590Email: [email protected]Web: www.naturepowerproducts.com
References
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