Hats Off To Blue Sky Energy

The output from solar panels (photovoltaic) or PV panels, like any other electrical energy source needs to be regulated to protect the batteries and the electrical systems. For our charge controller we selected a product (2512i) made by Blue Sky Energy. We were impressed by their technology to obtains more charge current (amps) when stepping down from PV voltage output of 17 volts to the battery input 12 volts. They also use multi-step charging which basically provides a higher charge current when the batteries are more depleted, which is tapered off as the batteries come up toward fully charged.

Soon after we installed the PV panels and the charge controller, and while the systems performed as promised, we noticed radio interference on some of our marine channels including channel 16 which is the hailing and distress channel. I took several corrective steps, including grounding the PV panels and the controller, moving the controller deeper in the hull away from the radios and antennas, and adding ferrites to the electrical cables. I was able to reduce but not totally eliminate the RFI.

I sent an email to Blue Sky Energy to report my problem and to ask their advice. To my surprise Rick Cullen at Blue Sky, admitted they had a problem with RFI, that they did not yet have a solution but were working on it and would keep me informed. We exchanged some emails as they were interested in the steps I had taken, many of which they were recommending.

Several months passed and then Rick Cullen contacted me with an offer. He would send me a new controller with a correction for the RFI issue if I would agree to report the test results. We received our new controller, which was custom modified by their engineering department and our testing is complete. They completely corrected the RFI issue. A job well done and a great way to take care of a customer.