RFI
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [RFI] Considering a solar panel

To: David Eckhardt <davearea51a@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [RFI] Considering a solar panel
From: Larry K4AB <larry.k4ab@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2019 13:14:24 -0500
List-post: <mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
Gary,

I've bought some things from windynation.com Panels, charge controller,
even batteries.   Albeit for a permanent home installation.
All seems good quality and no noticeable noise.  GL!

73,
Larry K4AB

On Wed, Aug 14, 2019 at 12:53 PM David Eckhardt <davearea51a@gmail.com>
wrote:

> We bought a small 16' Airstream last year.  Of course, we considered the
> same charge issues you are faced with.  I carry the Icom 7300 for HF and
> monitoring meteors while out camping, usually well away from any RF source,
> cell phone coverage, no TV, few,if any amateur repeaters, so I want it RF
> quiet!  I bought an 80-watt deployable panel from Camping World for about
> $250.  It is a suit case panel and folds in half and includes the charge
> controller.  The ONLY problem I've had with RFI from the panel assembly was
> when I, not thinking, looped my coax around the panel.  The 7300 picked up
> some razzle (yea, what a description!) noise when the controller was
> pulsing to charge the camper battery.  I immediately recognized my error in
> dressing the coax.  I rerouted the coax such that there was no longer a
> loop around the panel assembly.  Problem went away.  I have used it since
> then being cognizant not to loop the coax around the panel and have had
> absolutely no further RFI.  I'd recommend it to any ham who takes HF into
> the boonies.
>
> Our choice between the 80-watt panel and those larger was strictly weight.
> Sure, I'd like a 200-watt panel, but the break point between the 80-watt
> unit and those of higher ratings was weight.  The 100-watt panel was
> significantly heavier and I just didn't want that, so we came home with the
> 80-watt unit.  You can find them less expensive than Camping World, but the
> packaging of the solar cells, themselves, and quality of the charge
> controller (relatively RF quiet) is rather compromised.  It works for us,
> although we are not heavy power users.  I also installed a true sinewave
> 300-watt inverter so my wife can watch TV when its available over the air
> and to keep the laptops happy.  With our usage, including the Icom 7300,
> the 80-watt panel is fully capable of keeping the camper battery charged
> with 6 or so hours of full sun.  I also 'track' the sun manually about
> every three hours or so.
>
> Dave - WØLEV
>
> On Wed, Aug 14, 2019 at 4:58 PM Gary Smith <Gary@ka1j.com> wrote:
>
> > Folks,
> >
> > I finally bought a camper & though I had
> > no power issues (Brought a Honda EU2000i
> > for 120V needs), I would like to take the
> > K3 along and have a clean RFI environment
> > when I do and use solar to charge the
> > battery.
> >
> > Depending on the size/convenience of
> > moving the solar equipment, I would like
> > to use it to charge a 12V deep cycle
> > battery I use in the shack during some
> > contests.
> >
> > As I'll be buying this sight unseen from
> > the web, any suggestions of an inexpensive
> > controller and panel that is known to be
> > essentially RFI clean & reliable?
> >
> > Thanks & 73,
> >
> > Gary
> > KA1J
> > _______________________________________________
> > RFI mailing list
> > RFI@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
> >
>
>
> --
>
> *Dave - WØLEV*
> *Just Let Darwin Work*
> *Just Think*
> _______________________________________________
> RFI mailing list
> RFI@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
>
_______________________________________________
RFI mailing list
RFI@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>