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Author Topic: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?  (Read 29702 times)

N6YFM

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MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« on: August 21, 2016, 07:01:05 PM »

I am planning to build a semi-portable (field day style, not hiking) Solar kit
for field operation.   I would like to use between 2 and 4 100watt panels from
Amazon.com, likely Renogy unless you have better ideas.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with recent model/brand MPPT charge
controllers, and which ones have less RFI for the HF ham bands?
I would like purchase a 30 or 40 Amp MPPT controller, so I have flexibility to
use between 2 and 4 panels.

Anyone have personal experience with good MPPT controller, low RFI/noise?

Thanks in advance for any advice/education.

Neal
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W7ASA

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2016, 07:17:00 AM »

So far, I've been pleased with Morning Star charge controllers. It's what I used while a live-aboard sailor and use a similar model now on my ham shack. They have a jumper that can be set for a less efficient but even lower RFI mode if you happen to need it, shock I never have.

73 and please let us know your progress.

Ray
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AFA6MD

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2016, 11:06:33 PM »

Have great experience with a Genasun controller. Made in USA, but don't think they have a 40Amp model, but 4 10Amp models may work for you?
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AC7CW

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2016, 04:42:15 PM »

On the off chance you don't need the efficiency of a smps you could build an analog one and have no noise much at all to worry about
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Novice 1958, 20WPM Extra now... (and get off my lawn)

W4KYR

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2016, 11:06:12 PM »

I am planning to build a semi-portable (field day style, not hiking) Solar kit
for field operation.   I would like to use between 2 and 4 100watt panels from
Amazon.com, likely Renogy unless you have better ideas.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with recent model/brand MPPT charge
controllers, and which ones have less RFI for the HF ham bands?
I would like purchase a 30 or 40 Amp MPPT controller, so I have flexibility to
use between 2 and 4 panels.

Anyone have personal experience with good MPPT controller, low RFI/noise?

Thanks in advance for any advice/education.

Neal

I just saw a video by "Commsprepper" on YouTube about grounding an MPPT controller.  He uses both VHF and HF in the shack .  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT1VBZUjHqA

He might have other videos on the subject. This is his main channel.

https://www.youtube.com/user/Commsprepper/videos


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AA4HA

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2016, 02:04:33 PM »

If you want a totally noise-free charge controller you would go with a linear regulator based upon a component like the LM358 device.

The charge controllers that are out there today are based upon MPPT and PWM schemes that do generate RFI. To get totally quiet you need to take a few steps back to what we had in the early 1980's.

Here is a good schematic. You will end up spending less than $20 in parts.

http://microcontrollerslab.com/15-ampere-solar-charge-controller-without-microcontroller/
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KK5JY

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #6 on: September 07, 2016, 04:17:21 PM »

If you read up on MorningStar, you will see that they were specifically designed to work in close proximity to receivers, at places like tower sites.  I have used a couple of different models, and never seen any RFI issues related to the charge controller, even with an HF antenna directly overhead.

Inverters, on the other hand, are an entirely different matter...
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K7AAT

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2016, 08:36:19 PM »


With little doubt,  the best MPPT solar charge controller for absolute minimal RFI can be found at  DIYSOLARFORU.COM.   We installed this controller in our club's new comm trailer and measure near zero RFI compared to massive RFI from other MPPT controllers we tried.  Several members have changed over to this unit for our personal solar systems, too.
www.diysolarforu.com

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N6YFM

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2016, 12:53:35 PM »


With little doubt,  the best MPPT solar charge controller for absolute minimal RFI can be found at  DIYSOLARFORU.COM.   We installed this controller in our club's new comm trailer and measure near zero RFI compared to massive RFI from other MPPT controllers we tried.  Several members have changed over to this unit for our personal solar systems, too.
www.diysolarforu.com



So this product can handle 1 or 2 panels at most, depending on panel size.
What do you do if you want 3 or 4 panels?   Are they building a larger 25 or 30 Amp model?

Or are there easy methods to combine the outputs, or do they end up fighting each other on
charge details?

Thanks,

Neal
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N6YFM

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2017, 03:43:12 PM »

So far, I've been pleased with Morning Star charge controllers.

I noticed that MorningStar MMPT 30A controllers start at close to $400 (USD).  OUCH!  :-)

Has anyone tested or tried the Tracer 4215BN series sold on Amazon and Ebay
under various labels like EP Power, EP Solar, EPeaver, and, of course, Tracer.
These are approx half that cost, and for building a two panel (2 x 100watt) system,
it seems easier to justify $200 instead of $400 for the charger, *IF* this unit
is not already known to be a terrible noisy RF hash generator?  Any experiences?

If no one knows, I may just try one under the 30-day Amazon return policy?

Neal
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KD8SKM

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #10 on: November 27, 2017, 01:27:42 PM »

Neal:

We are working on higher power controllers - now offer 12 and 24 volts in same unit and at 24 volts it does 460 watts real output.  16 amps per unit is about the practical limit for the physical size.

The problem is as you increase current the heat is a squared function... you can only dissipate so much in a 4x6x1.5 inch metal box before it gets too hot to be useful... we keep losses under 4 watts total out of 200 watts output for power losses.

I^R losses are the culprit here....

To answer your previous question - yes they can be parallel connected to increase current and there is no limit on how many.  We have 12 of them at our off grid cabin that combined deliver over 185 amps into the batteries.

So check us out at www.diysolarforu.com

Cheers,

Rob
KD8SKM
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KB1ZPP

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2018, 07:39:08 AM »

Just tried a Renogy Commander 40A MPPT controller with 300 watts of panels. Running a Vertex VXR 7000 and a 4 cavity duplexer. RFI was insane, it was so bad that when the controller was putting any current into the batteries the repeater would lock up on tx and time out. Do Not use renogy mppt for any rfi sensitive equipment.
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N8AUC

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2018, 03:45:12 PM »

I realize that true solar power aficianados will probably turn their noses up at this.

But I tried solar power for the first time this year at Field Day.
I used the 100W solar panel kit that Harbor Freight sells for under $200.
Actually I caught it on sale for $149. You get 4 25w panels, the charge controller,
and all the cables to do the interconnections. I realize it's not the best
solar power setup, but it allowed me to "get my feet wet" without spending a ton of cash.

It worked great. Kept my 42Ah battery box charged up during daylight hours.
I built a bidirectional ammeter on the battery box when I built it. Between QSOs you
could actually see the battery being recharged by the solar panels. Very cool!
At sundown, I had plenty of charge on the battery to keep going overnight.
When the sun came up, it started charging the battery again. By the time we tore
down, the battery box was fully charged again.

FYI - the charge controller from that kit was totally RF quiet. There was no noise
in the receiver from the charge controller. The radio had the same noise level when
operated on battery alone, vs. having the battery connected to the charge controller
and the solar panels.

Not bad for $149.

Had so much fun with it, that now I'm looking to upgrade my setup for next year.
If 100w was this much fun, I can only imagine how much fun 300w would be!

73 de N8AUC
Eric


« Last Edit: July 24, 2018, 03:51:35 PM by N8AUC »
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K5LXP

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #13 on: July 25, 2018, 05:07:25 PM »


My take on portable solar is if you need a charge controller or PPT, your panel is too big or your battery is too small for the load you have.  Granted, a PPT can realize capacity over not having one but it adds cost and complexity, plus the potential for the subject EMI/RFI.  A charge controller only comes into play when the batteries are full, which when portable is a rare occurrence unless one or both of the two conditions above exist.  Easily mitigated by disconnecting or shading the panels. 

You can engineer a system with these components and likely successfully, but I think it will add cost and complexity in this application without adding value.  Charge controllers and PPT's are nice in unattended systems but that's not the case here.  Just offering that I've done portable solar for decades now and have never had a need for anything other than the panels, batteries and a way to monitor state of charge.  You can do whatever you can afford but if you want to make things simpler and eliminate EMI/RFI 100%, skip the tracker and controller.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
 
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N8AUC

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RE: MPPT Solar Charge Controller, best for RFI ?
« Reply #14 on: July 25, 2018, 07:38:09 PM »


My take on portable solar is if you need a charge controller or PPT, your panel is too big or your battery is too small for the load you have.  Granted, a PPT can realize capacity over not having one but it adds cost and complexity, plus the potential for the subject EMI/RFI.  A charge controller only comes into play when the batteries are full, which when portable is a rare occurrence unless one or both of the two conditions above exist.  Easily mitigated by disconnecting or shading the panels. 

You can engineer a system with these components and likely successfully, but I think it will add cost and complexity in this application without adding value.  Charge controllers and PPT's are nice in unattended systems but that's not the case here.  Just offering that I've done portable solar for decades now and have never had a need for anything other than the panels, batteries and a way to monitor state of charge.  You can do whatever you can afford but if you want to make things simpler and eliminate EMI/RFI 100%, skip the tracker and controller.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
 

Mark,
I would be interested in hearing more about how your setup operates without a charge controller.
I may have an Extra Class ticket with 20 wpm CW, but I am very much a novice when it comes to
Solar power.

73 de N8AUC
Eric
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