Post by jsb2000 on Aug 28, 2018 20:27:04 GMT
Just wanted to document my most recent experience with Renogy and their Tech Support/Customer Service departments.
About a month ago, I noticed that I was only getting half the power I usually get from my solar panels (I have two 12V 100 Watt panels connected in parallel, one purchased from Renogy in 2014 and the other earlier this year).
So...outside I went to troubleshoot the system. I disconnected each panel and tried each one individually. Found that the older panel purchased in 2014 was not producing any appreciable current in full sunlight when connected to the controller but WAS giving me good open circuit voltage!
At first I suspected the bypass diodes on the rear of the panel. Tried replacing both of them and...no luck. The panel still wasn't giving me any reasonable current under load in full sunlight, while its recently purchased companion was chugging away (using the same wires...yes, I suspected that too at first).
So, I called Renogy and explained the symptoms to them, what I'd tried in terms of troubleshooting, etc. They didn't even blink: "We'd like to see that panel for ourselves. Send it to us for us to test. If it's defective, we'll gladly send you out a brand new one. But if we find the panel to be okay, we'll have to charge you for the shipping."
Only problem was: I didn't have either of the original shipping cartons anymore (seriously, who wants to keep those huge boxes any longer than they need to?). "No problem," Renogy said, "We'll ship one out to you."
So, long story short: I got the shipping box from Renogy, packed up the 4 year old panel, and sent it out to them. Renogy tested it, found out it was doing exactly what I described, and sent me out a brand new one under warranty at absolutely no cost to me. I got it, hooked it back up, and voila: Back to producing full power again.
The communication back and forth with Renogy during all this was EXCELLENT. There was a slight delay in testing the panel, but they had adverse conditions out there in California (smoke from the fires, weather, etc which hindered testing in full sunlight) so no gripes about that. I felt that Renogy customer support was totally sympathetic to my situation, totally stood behind their product, and really did their best to get me back up and running as quickly as possible with minimal hassle.
Great job all around, Renogy!
About a month ago, I noticed that I was only getting half the power I usually get from my solar panels (I have two 12V 100 Watt panels connected in parallel, one purchased from Renogy in 2014 and the other earlier this year).
So...outside I went to troubleshoot the system. I disconnected each panel and tried each one individually. Found that the older panel purchased in 2014 was not producing any appreciable current in full sunlight when connected to the controller but WAS giving me good open circuit voltage!
At first I suspected the bypass diodes on the rear of the panel. Tried replacing both of them and...no luck. The panel still wasn't giving me any reasonable current under load in full sunlight, while its recently purchased companion was chugging away (using the same wires...yes, I suspected that too at first).
So, I called Renogy and explained the symptoms to them, what I'd tried in terms of troubleshooting, etc. They didn't even blink: "We'd like to see that panel for ourselves. Send it to us for us to test. If it's defective, we'll gladly send you out a brand new one. But if we find the panel to be okay, we'll have to charge you for the shipping."
Only problem was: I didn't have either of the original shipping cartons anymore (seriously, who wants to keep those huge boxes any longer than they need to?). "No problem," Renogy said, "We'll ship one out to you."
So, long story short: I got the shipping box from Renogy, packed up the 4 year old panel, and sent it out to them. Renogy tested it, found out it was doing exactly what I described, and sent me out a brand new one under warranty at absolutely no cost to me. I got it, hooked it back up, and voila: Back to producing full power again.
The communication back and forth with Renogy during all this was EXCELLENT. There was a slight delay in testing the panel, but they had adverse conditions out there in California (smoke from the fires, weather, etc which hindered testing in full sunlight) so no gripes about that. I felt that Renogy customer support was totally sympathetic to my situation, totally stood behind their product, and really did their best to get me back up and running as quickly as possible with minimal hassle.
Great job all around, Renogy!
