Renogy DC/DC Battery Charger With MPPT For Off-Grid Adventures – CleanTechnica Tested

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Renogy’s 12V/24V 50A DC/DC battery charger appeared the right addition to our van life build-out. We’re on a steady quest to improve and enhance our Chevy Astro Van (fondly named Pinto) transformed right into a camper. The purpose is to have the ability to go off-grid for longer, out within the wild for prolonged intervals of time, so the Renogy battery charger is an effective step in that route. Learn on to search out out what we consider this beneficial gadget. 

Unboxing: First Impressions

Upon opening the field, we have been initially impressed with the concise set up directions and sensible packaging, guaranteeing our newly acquired charger arrived to us safely. The product is area environment friendly, compact, and presents lots of know-how in a small package deal — essential while you’re residing out of a van. The quilt has heat-dispersing fins throughout the highest, two BUS inputs on the facet, and brilliant, sensible indication lights. Plus, the charger has a built-in voltage delicate relay for straightforward setup with conventional alternators, however can also be suitable with sensible alternators, which have variable output voltage. The unit could be mounted instantly inside the engine compartment — area saver! 

One superior issue, proper off the bat — Renogy merchandise are straightforward to combine with one another, constructing an entire system over time, as difficult or easy as you’d like. So we have now the flexibility so as to add items to our off-the-grid system as we see match and as our van life grows.

One other nice characteristic to notice initially — this lil sucker has the potential to be monitored remotely! Say what?! Monitor the battery charger’s progress and stats with a helpful app and Bluetooth. 

The Overview

The Renogy DC/DC battery charger is designed to provide a large number of choices and work in virtually limitless configurations. The primary purpose for our wants is to maintain our “service battery” (the LIPO battery powering our beloved Pinto) absolutely charged up, whereas we’re driving. The unit senses when our “beginning battery” (the battery related to the van’s engine) is absolutely charged and diverts extra energy from the alternator to the service battery. This permits us to reach at our tenting vacation spot with each batteries absolutely charged, all whereas retaining our beginning battery separate. Good! This ensures we don’t get into any sticky conditions, stranded as a consequence of a lifeless engine battery. Ain’t no person bought time to be stranded off the grid with a lifeless battery…

Whereas we don’t have photo voltaic arrange simply but (coming quickly to the roof of the Astro Van!), including a photo voltaic panel will fairly actually be plug-and-play, because of Renogy’s sensible design all through their vary. The charger will enable us to cost from each our Pinto’s alternator and the solar, and with the MPPT know-how, will assist us maximize the power we get from the solar. And, as everybody is aware of, we at CleanTechnica, LOVE to maximise our wonderful solar’s power.

The battery charger has a multi-stage charging profile: Bulk, Enhance, and Float, which ensures the service battery is precisely charged on the right stage. When the service battery is absolutely charged, the unit will then trickle cost the engine battery through photo voltaic panels. 

The Nitty-Gritty

One of many options that makes the Renogy charger such a wise addition to our van construct is battery isolation (retaining each methods separate). One other one is over-voltage safety, which can guarantee a protracted and wholesome lifespan of each batteries within the automobile. The unit additionally has battery temperature, over-current, and overheat safety (extreme warmth can injury the batteries), which won’t solely assist our batteries last more, but in addition make sure that they’ll function and their peak capability. Just a few extra nifty professionals embrace reverse present safety (prevents any mishaps from occurring ought to we hook up our system incorrectly accidentally…not like that might ever occur), and photo voltaic panel and alternator reverse polarity safety, which give peace of thoughts in order that if (hypothetically) we inadvertently cross a wire throughout set up, we won’t fully injury the system. 

The Renogy charger can also be suitable with a number of varieties of batteries, together with AGL, lithium, flooded, and GEL, so it’ll work for many van life, RV, or different off-grid construct eventualities. That is one more reason we love Renogy: the corporate has thought by way of a large number of eventualities, permitting us to customise our system precisely as it really works for us and our wants.

The charger has many various options that may enable for a protracted lifespan. It has a sheet steel casing that withstands drops, impacts, and protects in opposition to mud, so we are able to take Pinto down even the gnarliest of grime roads. It’s designed to work in virtually any temperature we would encounter and has the flexibility to resist excessive temperatures from -31°F to 176°F and may keep full-load operation, as much as 131°F. This Renogy battery charger  can also be water-resistant and has a glue-filled design which permits for a high-level of waterproofing (IP67), which means we gained’t fear about our system within the rain or snow. 

The Renogy charger has the flexibility to cost each 12v and 24v, so can also be an awesome selection for anybody constructing a much bigger system of their RV the place 24v is required. That is greater than expensive ol’ Pinto wants, however it’s nice to know the unit has a sturdy capability, ought to we resolve to improve some day.

Remaining Ideas

In conclusion, Renogy appears to have considered each scenario when constructing and designing the charger. Renogy’s design spans all the product line, making it straightforward, and most significantly, taking the guesswork out of constructing a system in your van, RV, or any off-grid automobile setup. This charger is a superb selection, whether or not you intend on crusing world wide or one thing so simple as taking weekend journeys with the youngsters. The sensible, compact design will guarantee all your batteries are absolutely charged no matter whether or not the facility is coming from one other battery or the massive man upstairs (the solar).

If you wish to learn a few different van life product evaluations that includes Pinto the Astro Van, verify these out:

Baja Van Life Made Cooler — Literally!

High Powered Van Life in Baja

Renogy supplied a product to the creator freed from cost for the aim of this assessment.