Solar MPPT recommendations

[CapnBazza]

Originally Posted by GILow

Pretty happy with my votronic (not a typo, it's a German design) so far. Simple and cheap with one programmable charge profile which you would have to configure for your setup.


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G'day again mate. I have one of these in the shed - Epsolar Tracer 2215RN MPPT Solar Battery Charge Controller Regulator 20A 12 24V | eBay - used to have it in the boat but it completely kills my vhf radio reception/transmission with its rfi. Currently using pwm and have noted that these are not as productive. Do you know if the Votronic machines are rfi free?

[GILow]

No problems so far for either the Icom 802 or the various VHF radios. But I have not yet transmitted with the Icom so I don't know if there is any transmission interference on the HF spectrum. I use the VHF a fair bit and all radio checks have come back clear.


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[Opie91]

Originally Posted by CapnBazza

G'day again mate. I have one of these in the shed - Epsolar Tracer 2215RN MPPT Solar Battery Charge Controller Regulator 20A 12 24V | eBay - used to have it in the boat but it completely kills my vhf radio reception/transmission with its rfi. Currently using pwm and have noted that these are not as productive. Do you know if the Votronic machines are rfi free?

I assume you mean Vicron. If you do I have noticed some VHF performance degradation while the solar controller is functioning.

It does not seem to happen all the time, just occasionally so I cannot be very specific about the issue. But once I shut off the panels when it is happening the issue goes away.

[CapnBazza]

Thanks Opie, I did mean Votronics but was also wondering about the Victron units. The manufacturer of the epsolar units have advised me that they cannot prevent rfi either and it appears that all mppt controllers produce rfi, some more than others and some vhf radios maybe more susceptible than others. If your boat is big enough you may be able to solve the problem by isolating the controller from your radios. I am interested in people's experiences with mppt and vhf, which radios and what mppt controllers?



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[sy_gilana]

We have the earlier model of this one.

MPPT plus + Solar Controller 30A - IVT-Hirschau

Quite happy with it.

[BambooSailor]

Have been very happy with my Morningstar controller.

+1, the only downside is a price

[GTom]

Originally Posted by sy_gilana

We have the earlier model of this one.

MPPT plus + Solar Controller 30A - IVT-Hirschau

Quite happy with it.

Sorry to revive a 2 years old thread, I've read on a vendor site a consumer complaining on HF radio interference. Noticed anything? Heard that Epever controllers are also notorious for interfering with SSB.