Info on arco panels? [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar]

The Arcos you have are probably a version of an M55, rated
 Max Power 53 watts
 I @ Max Power =3.05 amps
 V @ Max Power = 17.4 volts
 Open Circuit Voltage = 21.8 volts
 Short Circuit current = 3.27 amps (this one is the same as yours)

or an M75, rated

 Max Power 47 watts
 I @ Max Power =2.94 amps
 V @ Max Power = 16 volts
 Open Circuit Voltage = 19.9 volts
 Short Circuit current = 3.27 amps (this one too is the same as yours)

or a variant of one of those. I got this info from some 1987 Arco cut sheets
in the files; specs would be slightly different for earlier years of the
same modules. The M55 only stopped production by Siemens a few years ago.

And while we're (not) on this topic...I have repaired some 10-15 old Arco
and early Photowatt modules with studs broken off. So far 100% successfully,
although I always disclaim a guarantee of success before taking the little
job on. I use Big Bertha - an old 100W electric soldering iron - to solder a
pigtail of USE-2 wire to the back of the module where the stud was; then
cover the connection with silicone for seal and add some strain relief (to
prevent it from happening again). The tempered glass appears to handle the
localized high temperature from soldering with no problems.

And on the topic of early Photowatt modules (not like the current ones;
these are kind of yellow, have striated glass and came in 35W (3" cells) and
55W (4" cells) versions): so far, the best old modules I have encountered.
Windy was the US distributor for these for awhile in the early 80s. To date,
every last one I have tested still puts out rated power. The Arcos don't.

Allan at PosE

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection" <econnect at snowcrest.net>

> Also, if these modules do not have a J-box and just two studs on the
> back for plus and minus, be SUPER careful that they don't break off
> during tightening or loosening. If you can get them loose, get some
> Never-Seize or some such on them. I don't think the old Arco modules
> were 50W so this probably isn't a problem, but....
> Good Luck, Bob-O
> On May 17, 2006, at 1:28 PM, Windy Dankoff wrote:
>
> >
> > Bob,
> >
> > Those panels date back to mid-80's. Arco was the first mass-
> > producer of PV modules. They later became Siemens Solar. In
> > general, their old modules still work fine, with relatively little
> > deterioration. The exception is some of them in which the
> > temperature was too high during the lamination process, and the
> > encapsulant material later turned brown. If these modules aren't
> > browning significantly, and they all test well, then they are
> > likely to keep on truckin' for some time.
> >
> > As for value, they would have value only for off-grid, off-code
> > applications.
> >
> > Windy
> >
> >> From: "Bob Ellison" <ellison at gisco.net>
> >> Subject: Info on arco panels?
> >>
> >> Has anyone got any info on these panels? How have they held up in
> >> the past
> >> and such.
> >> I have a customer looking to upgrade and he wonders what they are
> >> worth.
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >> Bob
> >>
> >> ARCO Solar Inc. Here is what I copied off the Panel
> >> Performance @ 25 C:    Max Power 50 watts
> >>                                     I @ Max Power =3.11 amps
> >>                                     V @ Max Power = 16.1 volts
> >>                                     Open Circuit Voltage = 22
> >> volts (I think
> >> this said at 0 celcius)
> >>                                     Short Circuit current = 3.27 amps
>
>
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