VHF marine radio RFI
Comments
-
Hello antares36, Welcome to the Forum.
Am not familiar with the Ferris Charge Controller (CC).
In general, PWM CCs create fewer RFI problems than do MPPT CCs, although a number of MPPT CCs DO meet FCC Class B Radiated and Conducted Emissions standards (for the USA).
Some PWM CCs do have a switch setting that is said to reduce the RF emissions.
There are some relatively standard emission reduction techniques -- Ferrites on the PV array cables, placed near the CC, with a number of turns of the cables through a toroid, or Snap-On ferrite. Sometimes, placing a good quality capacitor across the PV input terminals in the CC wiring compartment (if it has one).
At times ferrites, and or a capacitor across the CC's battery terminals, very close to the CC can help.
As always, separating the PV array from the location of the antenna can help (yea, this is often difficult on many boats), and perhaps a large toroid or snap-on ferrite on the VHF radio's coaxial feed line, to reduce any common-mode currents on the coax shield, and so on.
At times, twisting cables together from the PV array to the CC, and the battery cables from the CC to the battery can help.
At times a portable radio can help "sniff" RFI. In this case, perhaps a battery operated portable that covers the 130 MHz Aviation band would help. Move the radio around the cables to try to see where the Emissions are coming from.
You might try switching off the PV input to the CC, and using the portable radio, see how the emissions change. It is possible that some or most of the RFI might be coming from any Microcontroller that may be in the CC.
And so on, just to start the ball kind of rolling. Vic
Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes. 25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel, Honda Eu6500isa, Eu3000is-es, Eu2000, Eu1000 gensets. Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum. -
Hello Amtares36, I have 3 220 watt panels powering a Morningstar Tristar 60 MPPT charge controller on mr boat. I can't detect any rf noise on either of my 2 vhf radios or my ssb radio. I have found the Morningstar controllers to be very trouble free.
Shay
Categories
- All Categories
- 222 Forum & Website
- 130 Solar Forum News and Announcements
- 1.3K Solar News, Reviews, & Product Announcements
- 190 Solar Information links & sources, event announcements
- 886 Solar Product Reviews & Opinions
- 254 Solar Skeptics, Hype, & Scams Corner
- 22.3K Solar Electric Power, Wind Power & Balance of System
- 3.5K General Solar Power Topics
- 6.7K Solar Beginners Corner
- 1K PV Installers Forum - NEC, Wiring, Installation
- 2K Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum
- 5.5K Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems
- 424 Caravan, Recreational Vehicle, and Marine Power Systems
- 1.1K Grid Tie and Grid Interactive Systems
- 651 Solar Water Pumping
- 815 Wind Power Generation
- 621 Energy Use & Conservation
- 608 Discussion Forums/Café
- 302 In the Weeds--Member's Choice
- 74 Construction
- 124 New Battery Technologies
- 108 Old Battery Tech Discussions
- 3.8K Solar News - Automatic Feed
- 3.8K Solar Energy News RSS Feed