High Heat Torture Testing the BougeRV 40A MPPT Solar Charge Controller

[@LoveYourRV]

Previous BougeRV Solar Controller Install and Setup Video - www.loveyourrv.com/testing-out-a-cheap-40a-mppt-solar-charge-controller-from-bougerv/

[@Yukonjackman1]

I actually contacted the manufacturer and asked for the testing high temperature operation that was done in a thermal chamber testing , I told them I live in Arizona I was supplied with numbers, it has a high opererating temperature and it sounds like a good unit .

[@reubenj.cogburn8546]

In my opinion there are three things that will prematurely kill Electronics. Cheap components, heat, and vibration. I let others be the guinea pig, and find which items I'm looking for in that seem to have a good track record. For my inverters and charge controllers, I simply cushion their mounts and stick $5 fans on them. They stay a few degrees above ambient. Hey Ray, thanks for being our guinea pig.

[@herb7877]

117 here today. The glass panels will also loose some efficiency as they get hot as well.. we’re going to have to start calling you “Ray the Tool Man”. What you need is more power !, still anxiously awaiting the day you install the mini nuclear reactor & cooling tower...

[@LoveYourRV]

Wow! We cooled off to 95. Should be back into the 80s for the rest of the week. Still above average, we should be low 70s. I'm fearful of a bad fire season and dealing with lots of smoke like a couple years ago. :(

[@ssyoumans]

Would love to see a follow up video with a small 15 watt fan blowing across the heat sinks. May cost you 1 amp hr but may generate 10 more amps/hr? Great video. Thanks!

[@AKRichardM]

Those temperatures are ridiculous. I've noticed similar behavior. Our RV is being stored in southern WA and I have a Maxx Fan running to keep air circulating. The batteries are usually down to 85% by the morning and the charge controller current keeps rising until about 11am when the air temperature is getting into the high 90s. I don't have a vent fan in the storage bay where the charge controller and inverter are running so I'm thinking that it's getting pretty warm in there. Time for another microprocessor to monitor temperature and humidity. Interesting video. Thank you for putting these out.

[@billdennis2993]

Thx Ray for the followup testing you ordered the high temp ambient in BC for. Your neighbors may not be as appreciative as I am LOL. FWIW We live in the high desert and have been getting our fill of triple temps this summer already. My Bouge RV 40 a MPPT has been keeping my FLA bank charged with no issues as well but I'm only running 400watts of solar power thru it. FWIW I programmed the custom battery setting to match what Trojan recommended for the T105s and have confirmed the 30day 2hr schedule for equalize charge is applied to the custom battery setting. I never got an answer from Bougrv Customer Service re conformation of same. Happy Camping and Stay Cool.

[@SorosNews]

I have a Epever Tracer 5415AN 50 amp} 625 wt-12vlt/ 1250 wt-24 Vlt / 1875 wt-36 vlt or 2500 Wt at 48 vlt ... This thing is a monster, and Compatible in lots of Configurations for Battery Volt Configurations, it can Hook Up a Gas Gen system, or a Wind Turbine system. I also ordered the Epeaver Remote Meter, the Epeaver Wi-Fi Serial Server, and the eLOG01 Datta Logger For it for monitoring Long term Use ! The Epeaver is Made in China But it has a Great Rep Thus Far, it Als has a huge Heat Sink for Dissipating the Heat , The Larger the Unit , the larger the Heat Sink. Now I need a Boat to Put all this On with some solar Panels !

[@PentaxLife]

That was a good test Ray Just finished installing my DYI 560amp lithium battery pack for the front of our coach Temperatures here reached plus 36 Celsius Very hot

[@glenschumannGlensWorkshop]

Thanks for this video. Good work.

[@diysolaradventures7894]

I think I found my answer that it's the volts coming in from the solar panels that I should be looking at and not so much the amps

[@brianhaigh4530]

Great video. Just have a follow up question. I have this same controller, the manual for the RM-6 shows a Loaded controller menu, but I cannot get it to go into that menu. Have you been able to use the Loaded controller menu on your RM-6?

[@LoveYourRV]

This controller doesn't have the load terminals, so I imagine that is why. As an example, here is another model that has load terminals, so it has those menu functions www.loveyourrv.com/srne-40-amp-mppt-solar-charger-features-install-demo/

[@brianhaigh4530]

@@LoveYourRV that makes sense. Thank you again!!

[@Yukonjackman1]

O my no victron lol you're bucking the fad

[@MyWasteOfTime]

One way you could test it is cool it down and see if the amps go up!

[@LoveYourRV]

I already know it outputs the full 40 in more reasonable temps. Its 72F out right now and full output. Cheers, Ray

[@jimbertrand2499]

Ray - are you still running parallel feeds from the panels to the charge controller. I wired my panels in series to create a higher voltage but less ampere feed into the MPPT charge controller. My controller will handle up to 150V and output up to 60A. The MPPT controllers work better to maximize higher volts but limit the charging into the battery bank to minimize damage to batteries. Your lithiums will accept a heavy initial charge but the boost and float modes on the controller don't always push maximum into the bank as batteries get closer to full charge.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, my setup is 8 panels all parallel but with large enough gauge wiring, so not much losses there. The controller has a special setting for lithium battery charging, if I remember right it puts out a constant 14.2V or a person can choose User Defined mode and custom set what ever they want for each charging mode.

[@jimbertrand2499]

Ray - if high heat seems to lower the effectiveness of your solar charger output, have you considered wiring a 12V computer case fan to help keep the controller cooler and increase its efficiency?

[@LoveYourRV]

Could do but this was a torture test. There is no way I'd boondocking temps like this! :) The controller works just fine in normal boondocking temps that we chase around 70 degrees. The idea of the video was to demo and test its protection circuits from over wattage and high temps. It was a convenient thing that the heatwave showed up so I could give it a try. Today's temp 72F and getting the full 40 amps.

[@jimbertrand2499]

Ray - do you think you have enough solar to boondock in HOT temps? While running your Starlink? I ordered Starlink 6 weeks ago but haven't heard back from them yet?

[@LoveYourRV]

Sure, I have another 30 controller and extra ground panels I can lay out and a gas generator, DC-DC converter, etc. So power isn't a problem for me But like I say I wouldn't ever plan on boondocking in hot weather. It would have to be some kind of emergency situation or a short term heat wave, like a day or two, or else I'd be out of there! Its no fun for me, I don't like the heat much. That's the big reason I like where we spend the summer, usually mild climate near the ocean and in the southwest in the winter, with all its elevation change options to chase 70 degrees.

[@JamesBrown-ux9ds]

At around 6:10 you could have been cooling down the cooling fins on the back a little with some ice in a plastic bag? Looked to me, als If you had just found one point of the throtteling curve at 126F/27Amps? And this factory setting 'is a little too ancious for the hardware'? The hardware just as well could take 75 deg Celsius for instance? So cooling would have provided for higher currents again - at a certain point of additional cooling the controller making the 40 amps? (If systems made for 1000watts would throttle just the same way - one would have to be one for 1500 watts to be fed by/with 1000 watts 😉😀 - wouldnt we?) But first of all thank you for all that work and for sharing with us!

[@JamesBrown-ux9ds]

5:55 actually

[@LoveYourRV]

I'm sure a small fan blowing on the back of the controller to increase airflow like in a computer or adding a bigger heat sink would make a big difference but my goal was to torture test it for my worst-case scenario. :) For us to be boondocking in temps over 80-85 is rare. We usually chase 70F. :)

[@garryhammond3117]

Hot video Ray - Stay cool!! :)

[@knighthauler2529]

Different topic Les, are you aware of a Lane departure system or drivers assist program or device that could be retro fitted to a vehicle? I had a LD system put on the Volvo truck 5 yrs ago but it would not work if there was no white line or on one or both sides. Also it would squawk if the lanes varied in width, ie a construction zone on I 75 in Florida. Have there been advancements made? Thanks Roger in Victoria.

[@LoveYourRV]

Some dashcams have it but I'd call them more of a gadgets thing and not something I'd trust much.

[@dirtroadsailing6418]

I have to feel sorry for all of the locals that live in normal sticks and bricks without an AC since you guys aren't accustomed to temps this high and many don't have AC's. I live in the southeast so everyday with a humidity of 80+ and a temp of 90+ is absolutely miserable. As far as the charge controller, it looks like it does the job. These things seem to be commodities anymore and they all work about as well as the next one.

[@LoveYourRV]

Back when I lived in stick and bricks we always had below ground basements usually with a spare bedroom and rumpus room. Made it tolerable for the short heat waves BC coast gets as the basement stayed relatively cool. Nowadays less houses have them, guess it costs too much.

[@adassociates8235]

Great videos as always, Ray👍👌 question for you here: what 400w solar panels (400w total ) will you recommend to hook up and mount with limited space on our Ford Transit Van roof to our Bluetti AC200P? Thank you

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks. :) Renogy makes a compact 100W panel. I have 7 Renogy panels and haven't had any problems and they have performed well for many years. www.renogy.com/100-watt-12-volt-monocrystalline-solar-panel-compact-design/ amzn.to/3w9A87X Shorter than the standard 100W Solar Panel that Renogy carries but with the same power output, this panel is suited for applications that require a smaller footprint,

[@adassociates8235]

Thank you, Ray Can we connect (2) 200w panels to Bluetti AC200P? Best in series or parallel connection?

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, Usually you will need to connect in series as the minimum input voltage in solar mode is 35V and up to 150V. So if they are what they call 12V panels they usually have around 20V open circuit voltage so in series that would be 40V so should work.

[@adassociates8235]

Thank you, Ray👍👌

[@JoelWelter]

I checked my compartment temperature yesterday a few times and the last one was 98.6. I told my wife the controller was "alive" because it was the same temp as the human body. She didn't find it funny.

[@diysolaradventures7894]

Hi Ray this is Joe again I have a important question that's driving me crazy remember I have the same 40A charge controller my battery bank is a 24v bank two batteries my first panel configuration was setup to only bring max 16 amps in from panels at 7.89 amps per panel running in series/parallel do I need to change the panel configuration to bring in more amps in order to properly charge a 24v battery bank ? Wiring in parallel only would give me 31amps. I can't wire in series because my 4 240w panels are 37.2v each

[@johnw.7584]

How about a small fan running on it? Would that help at all keep cool?

[@LoveYourRV]

You bet. My goal in this video was to torture test the controller and force it to deal with it so we could see if it could via its protection features. Adding a cooling fan would have defeated the purpose. :)

[@stevenfrazier8939]

Have you considered using a small computer fan on the charge controller?

[@LoveYourRV]

Sure could do but this was a torture test. The controller works just fine in normal boondocking temps that we chase around 70 - 80 degrees. The idea of the video was to demo and test its protection circuits from over wattage and high temps. Using a fan would have defeated the purpose.

[@stevenfrazier8939]

@@LoveYourRV And it performed terrific. I will be getting one. I liked the use of the aluminum stand offs.

[@whereswendy8544]

My phone is having difficulty charging back up so this heat must be having an effect.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, no doubt. The lithium batteries in them can't charge when they get too hot.

[@ke6bnl]

is there an app for this controller that bluetooths the information?

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, I actually have the Bluetooth dongle on order to give it a try - www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002316809389.html?spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.145b64cb7Y3mrn I'll have an update video showing how it works. Cheers, Ray

[@jgazaway4944]

Can you please a link to your solar system drawings

[@LoveYourRV]

Sorry, I don't have up to date drawings of my system, only one from my system 5 years ago - www.loveyourrv.com/diy-rv-boondocking-power-system/ But here is a walkthrough video of the current setup I did not long ago - www.loveyourrv.com/boondocking-power-upgrade-added-separate-500w-solar-panel-ground-array/

[@briank794]

Should have tested amps from solar prior to the controller for comparison.

[@LoveYourRV]

With 940 watts of solar panels the controller was well over paneled by over 400 watts so solar amps weren't a concern even in the hot weather. The controller could get as much as it wanted to with tons to spare. So it would have to be limiting the amps right from the start.

[@diysolaradventures7894]

In the first video you said the battery is going to that 40 amp fuse from there what size are your other fuses and where are they going to

[@LoveYourRV]

Currently I have a 40 amp breaker between my solar panels and this 40 amp solar controller and another between the solar controller and the battery feed. So far neither has blown but better if they were 50 amp breakers. Guess I'm just a hair under their tolerances. I just don't want to spend more money if I don't have to so trying to get away with the existing breakers I was using for my previous 30 amp controller and not have to buy new ones. For more info on my complete system as it sits to date check out this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGe4cnhrocapraM Cheers, Ray

[@diysolaradventures7894]

@@LoveYourRV because remember I have the same charge controller and 940w panels 4 panels my inverter is 2000w-4000w surge is all ur breakers 40amp even from ur batteries to ur inverter?

[@LoveYourRV]

No, my inverter is a 1000W with a 2000W surge so I use a 175A fuse on it's positive cable feed and then I have 200A catastrophic fuse located on the positive battery terminal as a last failsafe fuse for the whole system.

[@diysolaradventures7894]

@@LoveYourRV Ohh ok so for my 2000w 4000w inverter get a 275A fuse for the positive side now for my batteries i only have 2 Vmax 35ah AGM sealed batteries for now what amp size fuse for two batteries and possible 4 batteries when i get them i only could afford the 35ah for now but will eventually upgrade my battery bank

[@LoveYourRV]

I'd size the cat fuse at 300A. I think those batteries will really struggle to run any high wattage loads, they don't have the ability to output enough amperage and with the AH capacity so low they will run dry quickly if you are powering any high wattage loads for very long. Cheers, Ray