[RFI] I would like to compile a list of zero RFI solar power systems that hams own

[Dave Cole (NK7Z)]

Remember...  Things change, vendors buy parts from different people, so 
the list will have to be updated very often...

73s and thanks,
Dave
NK7Z
https://www.nk7z.net

On 07/03/2018 11:28 AM, David Robbins wrote:
> Mine have optimizers and are nice and quiet... it is not the technology that
> is the problem, it is the implementation of it by some companies!
> 
> 
> David Robbins K1TTT
> e-mail: mailto:k1ttt at arrl.net
> web: http://wiki.k1ttt.net
> AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://k1ttt.net:7373
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Grant Saviers [mailto:grants2 at pacbell.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2018 16:27
> To: k1ttt at arrl.net; 'Randy Standke'; rfi at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [RFI] I would like to compile a list of zero RFI solar power
> systems that hams own
> 
> An  option is to not use MPPT panels which have the power delivery optimized
> at each panel with an RFI generator.  I had two Sunpower installations
> (7.5kw & 10kw) on 3 inverters that did the MPPT optimization.  Efficiency
> was good (USA Sunpower panels were the most efficient at the time) but  for
> arrays that get partial shading MPPT by panel pays off.  Mine were
> completely clear to the sky sunrise +1hr to sunset.
> 
> I had zero RFI and could hear an AM BCB buzz only when holding the radio a
> few inches from the cabinet.  I don't recall the inverter brand, pretty sure
> it was made in Germany.
> 
> With CA sun, PSE punitive tiered rates (above $0.40/kwh), and state rebates,
> the ROI was 16%.  Then the IRS gave me an unexpected tax credit so ROI went
> UP.  The installer had the array siting tools and software to size the array
> capacity against my prior years usage to pay down the PSE tiering to maximum
> ROI. The 10kw never went yearly positive to the grid but the 7.5kw did. So
> PSE paid me $0.04/kwh. ha ha ha.
> 
> So now I now longer live in CA. (among many other reasons).
> 
> Grant KZ1W
> 
> On 7/3/2018 3:02 AM, David Robbins wrote:
>> p.s. the Solutions From Science Solar Generator PS-1800 is very noisy
>> both when charging and generating... these are the single panel
>> battery backup portable units.  The best use for them is to modify
>> them to pull out the 12v direct from the batteries and just use them
>> for dc loads.  While they can be used for AC, beware of overheating in
>> the loads because the inverter is a stepped inverter, without very many
> steps.
>>
>> David Robbins K1TTT
>> e-mail: mailto:k1ttt at arrl.net
>> web: http://wiki.k1ttt.net
>> AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://k1ttt.net:7373
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: RFI [mailto:rfi-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Randy
>> Standke
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2018 02:43
>> To: rfi at contesting.com
>> Subject: [RFI] I would like to compile a list of zero RFI solar power
>> systems that hams own
>>
>> Hello fellow hams,
>>
>> I am giving a talk on ham radio and solar power to a ham radio club in
>> just over a week.  I am specifically looking for brand names and types
>> of inverters that hams own themselves, and are happy with from a RFI
>> standpoint.  And, it would also be useful for the brands and types
>> that did generate RFI as originally installed.
>>
>>    
>>
>> My talk will consist of two parts: 1 - solar power for yourself.  2 -
>> identifying RFI signals, locating the house, and reporting RFI
>> generating solar systems in your neighborhood.
>>
>>    
>>
>> I have plenty of material for the Part 2 part due to the continuing
>> popularity of one particular brand of solar power system in my
> neighborhood.
>>
>>    
>>
>> However, my only experience with a RFI free solar power system is my own.
>> That system has no switching circuitry on the roof, and a Fronius
>> inverter at ground level.
>>
>>    
>>
>> I expect the safest route is to do what I did and keep all switching
>> circuitry off of the roof.  So, are there other brands of inverters
>> (than
>> Fronius) that some of you know of that are RFI free?  Also, the single
>> ground mounted inverter plan does come with a back up option.  That
>> being if there is some RFI, a single filter at both ends will probably fix
> it.
>> However, the goal is solar power, zero RFI,  no need for modifications.
>>
>>    
>>
>> The second solar power system I know of is micro inverters.  However,
>> now you have a lot of switching circuitry on the roof, much closer to
>> your antenna, and if you have noise a fix won't be easy.  If any of
>> you have micro inverters, what is your RFI experience and what is the
> brand?
>>
>>    
>>
>> The third option are the systems with DC/DC converters (optimizers) on
>> each panel.  For now, this one gets a "just say no."  As far as I
>> know, these all generate a lot of RFI and I am not aware of a case
>> where it was completely solved after much modification to the wiring
>> and addition of ferrite.  Maybe future improvements will change my
>> opinion.  Or, reports of a specific brand that was RFI free as originally
> installed.
>>
>>    
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>>    
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>    
>>
>> Randy KQ6RS
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> RFI mailing list
>> RFI at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> RFI mailing list
>> RFI at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
>>
> 
> _______________________________________________
> RFI mailing list
> RFI at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
>