sylgard 184

[Mike90250]

You have to be careful with the RTV. The common kind releases acetic acid (vinegar), you can smell it! Of course, that's no good with electronics. The electronic grade kind, releases acetone as it cures, and that is OK with electronics.

[Jason]

this thread is on the first page of Google for "Sylgard 184" so I wanted to lead visitors to a more in-depth discussion regarding slygard 184 & encapsulation

read here: http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?1118-Epoxy-for-encapsulating-cells-%28great-DIY-thread-with-photos!%29

[RifRaf]

its called 'sylgard', not 'slygard' , you will find alot more info searching for sylgard though google fixes it anyway, i know thats what people seem to call it but there is a bit of dyslexia or something going on. The label from dow corning says 'Sylgard 184 silicone elastomer base', then you add the 'Sylgard 184 silicone elastomer curing agent' to make it go off. That elastomer factor is why it beats other silicones i reckon, and the slow curing time means alot stress from shrinkage.

Has anyone else tryed to thin sylgard out to make it get under the cells even better? (covering the back of cells only is a waste, its designed to encapsulate the cell) have had good success with xylene so far, though have only done this by experimentation, never read it anywhere, xylene is a good thinner for acrylic sealants (i know its not acrylic base) and after stirring for about 5 minutes it seemed to blend very well, curing takes a few days longer though. am keen to hear of any sylgard experiments, still got more panels to make

[Jason]

its called 'sylgard', not 'slygard' ,

your right, my fingers where moving faster than my brain. i corrected it. SPT is on the first page of google for both spellings anyway. thanks for the correction

[ArmyChief]

I have not seen any answer to the question of can you use sylgard for th efront of the cells?

I too do not want to use glass. My intent is to put 2 6X6 cells side by side on a piece of foam core panel and then I want to epoxy/encapsulate the cell on the panel.

I have a Pulsetech Solar charger here and they used some type of epoxy on top to afix the cell to a piece of aluminum.

[Bill-Devine]

Name of ebay vendor

Hi the name of the seller on ebay is name deleted - moderator

[zttt]

pdms

hi every body
i want to buy SYLGARD

[jmsmrc]

hello

just wanted to say hi

[Sunking]

just wanted to say hi

Why are you digging up an 2 year old post?

[jmsmrc]

digging up post

Why are you digging up an 2 year old post?

I could not see the attached pics unless I posted something.

[zdinu]

Encapsulating back and front confusion

Guys,

There are hundreds of tutorials and videos on sylgard solar encapulsation. Some people are using it to cover the back side of the cells while others are also putting it on between the front glass and the cells. I'm really confused.

If only the back side of the cells are beeing encapsulated then why it matters if the resin is getting yellow over the time ? It should be only the front side that matters.

Please clarify this to me. I'm going crazy soon

Thank you !
Dinu

[inetdog]

Guys,

There are hundreds of tutorials and videos on sylgard solar encapulsation. Some people are using it to cover the back side of the cells while others are also putting it on between the front glass and the cells. I'm really confused.

If only the back side of the cells are beeing encapsulated then why it matters if the resin is getting yellow over the time ? It should be only the front side that matters.

Please clarify this to me. I'm going crazy soon

Thank you !
Dinu

Putting a non-acetic-acid-producing encapsulant on the front will protect the cells and the tabbing from moisture and corrosive vapors. If you only use it as mechanical glue to hold the cells down on the back, yellowing will, as you say, not matter. But then the glass/panel/frame seal would have to be good enough to protect the cells.
If you are concerned about reflection losses at the back side of the glass and at the top surface of the panels, putting an encapsulant with the a halfway right refractive index filling the space between the cells and the glass will reduce those losses. (Potential benefit will be no more than 8%, and that only if the encapsulant does not absorb any of the light.)

[zdinu]

Putting a non-acetic-acid-producing encapsulant on the front will protect the cells and the tabbing from moisture and corrosive vapors. If you only use it as mechanical glue to hold the cells down on the back, yellowing will, as you say, not matter. But then the glass/panel/frame seal would have to be good enough to protect the cells.
If you are concerned about reflection losses at the back side of the glass and at the top surface of the panels, putting an encapsulant with the a halfway right refractive index filling the space between the cells and the glass will reduce those losses. (Potential benefit will be no more than 8%, and that only if the encapsulant does not absorb any of the light.)

That means the sylgard 183 would be good to be placed between the front window and the cells ? If not, what other products would be good in this case ?

What if I eliminate the front glass and have only the sylgard 183 on top of the front cells and on the back side of the cells in way that the cells are sandwitched and fully enclosed in this sylgard ? It looks like to me the sylgard 183 is strong enough to resist on weather elements..

Thank you,
Dinu