45 Watt Solar Panel Kit
68751 Solar Panel Kit
Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.
When unpacking, make sure that the product is intact and undamaged.
If any parts are missing or broken, please call 1-800-444-3353 as soon as possible.
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Email our tech support at: tech@harborfreight.com
Copyright© 2011 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools. Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein. Tools required for assembly and service may not be included.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INFORMATION
In this manual, on the labeling, and all other information provided with this product:
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol
to avoid possible injury or death.
DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION, used with the safety alert symbol, indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE is used to address practices not related to personal injury.
CAUTION, without the safety alert symbol, is used to address practices not related to personal injury.
WARNING Read all safety warnings and instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/ or serious injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for future reference. The warnings, precautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual cannot cover all possible conditions and
situations that may occur. It must be understood by the operator that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be built into this product, but must be supplied by the operator.
Installation Precautions
1.Exercise special caution if working on roof or another high location. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Follow ladder supplier’s
precautions whenever working near or on a ladder.
2.Install all sensitive electrical components (including wiring connections, regulator, and battery) inside a weatherproof enclosure to prevent electric shock.
3.Do not wire multiple panels in series. If you need to connect two or more solar panels together, this work must be done by a qualified electrician unless they are connected through a regulator.
4.This solar panel kit is not designed for tie-in to a grid. Only a licensed electrician and a licensed building contractor can safely design and implement a grid tie-in system. Any grid tie-in system must meet all applicable building and electrical codes, and must meet standards established by the area power company. Improper grid tie-in can result in electrocution, fire, and other serious personal injury and property damage. An incorrectly installed grid tie-in system can cause feedback voltage, resulting in electrocution of electrical utility workers.
5.Do not stand on or otherwise apply pressure to panel.
6.Handle solar panel with care, edges may be sharp.
7.Do not focus light on panel.
8.Install components with enough space to allow proper cooling.
9.This product may occasionally produce more current and/or voltage than its rated output. Increase output ratings by 25% when determining component required voltage and amperage ratings. Refer to Section 690-8 of the National Electrical Code for an additional multiplying factor of 125 percent (80 percent derating) which may apply.
Page 2 |
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. |
SKU 68751 |
10.Panel must be connected using UL listed outdoor rated wire of the correct thickness (gauge) for the amperage rating and length (see warning number 9 also). Follow the guidelines in the chart below:
Current |
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Maximum Length |
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in Amps |
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5' |
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10' |
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15' |
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20' |
25' |
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0-5 |
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18 |
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6-7 |
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18 |
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16 |
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8 |
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18 |
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16 |
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10 |
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16 |
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11-12 |
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18 |
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16 |
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14 |
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15 |
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14 |
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12 |
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18 |
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16 |
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20 |
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18 |
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14 |
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12 |
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10 |
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22-24 |
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12 |
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30 |
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16 |
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14 |
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10 |
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40 |
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12 |
10 |
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8 |
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50 |
14 |
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100 |
12 |
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10 |
6 |
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4 |
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150 |
10 |
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8 |
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4 |
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2 |
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200 |
8 |
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6 |
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Minimum Wire Gauge
11.Install an appropriate charge controller/regulator to regulate output and prevent damage. Do not attach panel to battery or power grid without proper regulator, inverter, and/or charge controller.
12.Install and use according to applicable National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
13.This panel is not rated for use as fire-resistant roofing. If installing on a roof, install only over a fire resistant roof covering rated for the application.
14.Verify that installation surface has no hidden utility lines before drilling or driving screws.
15.Install only according to these instructions. Improper installation can create hazards.
16.Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles and heavyduty work gloves during installation. Do not wear jewelry or metal watches when working near solar panels, wiring or batteries.
17.Handle panel with care. Glass may break or a sharp edge may be exposed during movement.
18.Keep installation area clean and well lit.
19.Install out of reach of children.
20.Keep bystanders out of the area during installation.
21.Do not install when tired or when under the influence of drugs or medication.
22.Use in 12 VDC systems only.
Battery Precautions
1.Wear splash-resistant ANSI-approved safety goggles and electrically insulated gloves while working near batteries.
2.Use an appropriate charge controller whenever connected to battery.
3.Charge, store, and maintain batteries according to supplier’s instructions.
Service Precautions
1.Before service, maintenance, or cleaning:
a.Dry solar panels and outdoor wiring thoroughly while wearing electrically insulated gloves.
b.Cover all solar panels with an opaque cover, such as a blanket.
c.Disconnect all solar panels.
d.Disconnect all batteries.
2.Do not service during rain, fog, or any other wet/humid weather.
3.Do not stand on or otherwise apply pressure to panel.
4.Do not allow children to play with or near this item or electrical components.
5.Inspect at least monthly; do not use if damaged, parts are loose, water is found inside the housing, electrical insulation is cracked or damaged, or connections are loose.
6.Maintain product labels and nameplates. These carry important safety information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.
7.WARNING: Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. (California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS.
SKU 68751 |
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. |
Page 3 |
Specifications |
Solar Panel Frame Assembly |
Rated Output |
14.5 |
V~ / 15 W (per solar panel) |
Open Circuit Voltage |
23.5 |
OCV |
Adapter Outlets |
3,6 and 12 VDC |
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Note: Output will decrease as the panel gets hotter than room temperature (~70° F). Angle, solar intensity, cloud cover and other factors will effect output.
Installation
IMPORTANT! Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this manual including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product:
Note: For additional information regarding the parts listed in the following pages, refer to the Assembly Diagram near the end of this manual.
Location
1.Locate the Solar Panels (14) where they will receive full, unobstructed sunlight, especially during midday. Nearby trees or tall plants will drop debris, requiring the panels to be cleaned more frequently.
2.The setup location for the Solar Panel Kit must be inaccessible to children to prevent electric shock. Build a childproof enclosure if needed.
3.Install the charge controller/regulator and batteries in a weatherproof enclosure with proper ventilation.
Mounting
1.Select a mounting location for the Solar Panel Kit. The Solar Panels should face the Sun, and not be blocked by shadows. The location should allow the Panels to be protected from accidental damage. The location should be flat, stable and able to support the weight of the Solar Panel Kit’s accessories. Before assembly, be sure that all accessory cables reach their connection points without placing any stress on the wiring.
2.Angle face of Solar Panel Frame toward true south1 according to chart that follows:
Latitude |
Solar Panel Angle |
0-4° |
10° |
5-20° |
Latitude + 5° |
21-45° |
Latitude + 10° |
46-64° |
Latitude + 15° |
65° or more |
80° |
1Angle towards true north if installed in southern hemisphere.
1.First, attach all the components of the frame together. See Figure 1, below.
NOTE: Do not fasten connections with hardware yet.
Mounting 
Holes
Mounting
Holes
Figure 1
IMPORTANT: During assembly, make sure that the solar panel mounting holes along the Top Tubes (2) and Bottom Tubes (8) face OUT from the frame assembly. See Figure 1, above.
2.Attach Corner Connectors (1) to Side Tubes (6). Then use the Fixed Screws (9) and Nuts (10) to fasten the Corner Connectors to the Top Tube.
See Figure 2, below.
Fixed Screw (9)
Top Tube (2)
Nut (10)
Corner
Connector (1)
Side Tube (6)
Figure 2
3.Use Fixed Screws and Nuts to fasten the Top Tubes to the Leg Connectors (3) and then the Support Legs
(7) to Leg Connectors. See Figure 3, following.
Page 4 |
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. |
SKU 68751 |
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