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Old 08-27-2016, 06:06 PM   #21
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I am jealous.
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Old 08-27-2016, 07:16 PM   #22
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That is a thing of beauty! I like that you can walk between the panels. It'll be interesting to see how they lay and protect the wiring, but I bet you already know.
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Old 08-28-2016, 09:14 PM   #23
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I recently installed 4 120W panels, used a Midnite Solar "Kid" controller. I have the noise in the VHF radios, one worse than the other, and to the extent that I can't squelch it when the panels are at any more than about 30% output. VERY annoying. I turn the controller off while underway so I can use the VHF's. Also annoying. I also wanted to use high quality gear, the Midnite Solar has a good reputation. Evidently this problem is known, I had sent the controller back in warranty for another problem and asked about the RFI. They apologized about the noise, and suggested I install ferrite cores, which I did with no appreciable change.

My understanding is that because a solar controller is rated as an electrical control device, not a radio device, it is not required to meet FCC part 15. I'm fuzzy on how the regulations apply here, but regardless, it is noisy. The noise is coming from the controller, the electronic switching part of the MPPT circuitry is what creates the noise. If the controller were rated as a marine electronic device, it would be required to not create RFI, but that drives up the cost of the equipment. It's already over $300.

I've not received any further offers of a solution from the manufacturer, I have sent another note that refers to this thread and the fact that others are having this problem. They do sell a "marine" version, AFAIK, the only difference is that the marine version is white, has a trunion mount, and has a battery temperature sesnsor.

At this point I can't recommend the "Kid" controller. Although it appears to be well built and the function/features are excellent, for me the RFI is a deal breaker. Perhaps I'll hear more from Midnite, we'll see. It seems to me that if they intend to market their product for a marine application, it should be compatible with other electronics, FCC part 15 notwithstanding.
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Old 08-29-2016, 07:01 AM   #24
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I recently installed 4 120W panels, used a Midnite Solar "Kid" controller. I have the noise in the VHF radios, one worse than the other, and to the extent that I can't squelch it when the panels are at any more than about 30% output. VERY annoying. I turn the controller off while underway so I can use the VHF's. Also annoying. I also wanted to use high quality gear, the Midnite Solar has a good reputation. Evidently this problem is known, I had sent the controller back in warranty for another problem and asked about the RFI. They apologized about the noise, and suggested I install ferrite cores, which I did with no appreciable change.

My understanding is that because a solar controller is rated as an electrical control device, not a radio device, it is not required to meet FCC part 15. I'm fuzzy on how the regulations apply here, but regardless, it is noisy. The noise is coming from the controller, the electronic switching part of the MPPT circuitry is what creates the noise. If the controller were rated as a marine electronic device, it would be required to not create RFI, but that drives up the cost of the equipment. It's already over $300.

I've not received any further offers of a solution from the manufacturer, I have sent another note that refers to this thread and the fact that others are having this problem. They do sell a "marine" version, AFAIK, the only difference is that the marine version is white, has a trunion mount, and has a battery temperature sesnsor.

At this point I can't recommend the "Kid" controller. Although it appears to be well built and the function/features are excellent, for me the RFI is a deal breaker. Perhaps I'll hear more from Midnite, we'll see. It seems to me that if they intend to market their product for a marine application, it should be compatible with other electronics, FCC part 15 notwithstanding.

Well written and informative post, thank you ................. FB
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Old 08-29-2016, 09:15 AM   #25
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My understanding is that because a solar controller is rated as an electrical control device, not a radio device, it is not required to meet FCC part 15. I'm fuzzy on how the regulations apply here, but regardless, it is noisy.
That's interesting. I know every electronics product I have ever built required FCC testing and certification. But maybe that's because they were all computer related products?
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Old 08-31-2016, 09:36 AM   #26
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I have approximately 6,000 watts of Sun Power panels and 2 each Outback controllers - 60 Amps each at 48v nominal. System was installed fall 2008 and has been working since with no issues. Battery is LiFePo 1,000 AH 48 volts.

I highly recommend Outback controllers along with their inverters.

"Sunshine" has not been plugged in to shore power for years.
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Old 09-01-2016, 04:40 AM   #27
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I have an 85W solar panel , LUCY has not been plugged in for a decade.

No shore power line , or inlet or requirement.Or noisemaker.

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Old 09-09-2016, 05:17 PM   #28
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And they are up.
Tomorrow leccy comes back to connect

Update
Wired a week ago and disconnected from shore power to see what happened. Had 5 people on board in the afternoon partying til 2am, plenty of lights fridge and icemaker usage, TV and mini PC running in background to use power, stereo running and hot showers for all.
Sat. Morning 7am batts at 67.8% by 2pm at 100%. 6pm 99.5%
Sun 7am with 2 onboard and usual load 79.3%. 9am 81.5% and by lunchtime 100%
Running 2 door 500l fridge freezer icemaker + additional bar fridge + 140l 240v hot water system . Lights,TV, pumps etc.

Been doing pretty much the same for a week now appart from a few days where we had rain, but still never hit the 50% charge floor.
Looking like a win
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Old 09-09-2016, 05:44 PM   #29
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WOW!! Those are impressive numbers. Solar only - no genset or engine run time, right?

Congrats on a well designed and installed system!
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Old 09-27-2016, 04:32 PM   #30
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Correct, solar only.
We have since thrown a bar fridge style freezer into the mix running full time and have used the household front loading washing machine a few times on sunny days, no genset, all inverter.

We did have an issue when we had a few rainy days and a diode in the genset died but we were still getting some solar in but were forced to turn off the bar fridge for a few days until we got the genset repaired.
Lowest the batts saw was 50.3%.

All good again and back living the dream.
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Old 10-17-2016, 08:29 AM   #31
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Been doing pretty much the same for a week now appart from a few days where we had rain, but still never hit the 50% charge floor.
Looking like a win
May I ask, what was your budget? Estimated and final?
I really like the setup and those numbers!
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Old 11-05-2016, 02:27 PM   #32
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May I ask, what was your budget? Estimated and final?
I really like the setup and those numbers!
Panels, batteries, inverter/charger , mppt and instal was just under $10k.
Solar alone was about $2500 of that.


Still all working well.
Most days batts at 100% before lunchtime and batts at around 78% in the morning.
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