Renogy 12V/24V 50A DCDC with MPPT overview

Renogy 12V/24V 50A DCDC with MPPT overview
#renogy ‪@RenogySolar‬ #preparedness #solar

[@Zanecschepke]

From what I understand, the big difference between this one and the older model DC2DC Renogy charger is this one can smartly decide to prioritize alternator or solar depending on which one has the higher output. As I understand it, the old model would always prioritize solar so people were installing a switch to kill their solar while driving (if they have a small solar setup or the conditions are not ideal). Am I understanding that correctly?

[@commonsensepreparednesschannel]

There are several big differences but yes that is a big factor in why I chose this over the other models. It's a lot more hands off and takes care of your total system, even keeping your starter battery topped off. The ability to mount in the engine bay was also huge for me. The older models were solar charge controllers first that happened to work with a split battery system, this one I see as more of a battery management system that also smartly controls power inputs in a way that makes more sense based on how people actually use their systems.

[@DubuqueDude]

It also has 50v solar input capacity compared to the old one at 25v.

[@HookedonHD]

Great! I am looking forward to the installation video! I've been on the fence for a few years with the older model and I noticed this one and couldn't find any videos on it. I'd like to see a installation video on this and real life review after you've had it for a while. TIA

[@csummers2]

Thanks for sharing - would love to know if this has the same limitations as the old one of only 25a from each of the solar panel and the alternator if both are connected to this charger.

[@commonsensepreparednesschannel]

My understanding is it chooses the largest input and gives full support to that, but let me dig into the paperwork and see if I can find more info. Although even if it splits them, as long as I'm getting the full 50A going into my system I suppose I'm not too picky how it splits them up. I do have dual alternators so that pumps out a lot of juice, I imagine solar will have a hard time competing with that.

[@csummers2]

@@commonsensepreparednesschannel thanks for checking. With the older version if yo had 1 amp coming from the solar panel, it would limit input from your alternator(s) to 25a. To get the full 50a from the alternator I believe you have to disconnect the solar panel. I look forward to hearing what you find.

[@commonsensepreparednesschannel]

Here is the charging logic according to Renogy: The charger will take as much power from the solar panel as it can before supplementing that power from alternator, up to the rated charging current.

[@csummers2]

Sounds promising

[@kestikiadventures8929]

I’ve just installed one & can confirm it charges up to 50A even if say 4A is solar

[@jayjohn1868]

Have u installed this yet?

[@commonsensepreparednesschannel]

No, wanted to do a dashcam project first to give people time to ask questions about this. I'll start on it soon.

[@LuiMarozzi]

Have you installed this yet? Keen to hear your feedback as I can't find any reviews from people actually using this product.

[@commonsensepreparednesschannel]

I just ordered the rest of the hardware and cabling. The installation guide has some confusing peculiarities which I will cover on the install video.

[@ClarkyMalarky]

I read a lot of lithium batteries suggest limiting to a 20 amp input for charging. I’m wondering if 50 amp output of this device is too much? Realizing this would replace my solar controller and add Dc to Dc potential is awesome.

[@commonsensepreparednesschannel]

We'll have to see if Will Prowse does a tear down and test. 50 Amp units have been around for a while so hopefully they have it figured out.

[@ClarkyMalarky]

@@commonsensepreparednesschannel I’m sold either way ,I bought a “open box one” from Renogy for 130usd . Now to sell the other controller and dc charger I bought a Cpl months ago 🤣

[@ClarkyMalarky]

Shouldn’t be a problem I would assume as shore power charging is 40 amps +

[@pearlrival3124]

i was reading that I could regulate this. im wondering if i need to buy the renogy one bluetooth device manager as well to take it down to 20a on the alternator and study the heat stress incrementally up to 50A. im in a minivan. so the previous model would shut off the alternator charging completely for only 2a?

[@commonsensepreparednesschannel]

Do you know the amperage output of your alternator?

[@rayhsetwo8594]

How would you monitor the batteries by bluetooth to a renogy app if you had two renogy 12v 200ah batteries in parallel? so one lead acid starter and two lithium in parallel, does the controller give both starter and house bank voltage and historical use via the app?

[@commonsensepreparednesschannel]

If your batteries are in parallel my guess would be the app only sees the final product as one bigger battery. I was finishing up a dashcam project first to give people time to ask questions about this device, I have not installed it yet but I can see if I have enough spare wiring just to hook it up to 2 batteries next week and see what the app does.

[@rayhsetwo8594]

@@commonsensepreparednesschannel I thought exactly the same.

[@pyromaniacdave2]

Struggling to wire this in and other than the poor renogy instructions can’t find a single video of someone installing this… have you installed this yet? 😅

[@commonsensepreparednesschannel]

I will soon, what's your setup? I have two batteries both in the engine bay so I don't know if my install will be exactly like yours but I will try to keep it general enough to explain other setups.

[@mschrank1]

Were you able to get yours installed? What was causing the struggle?

[@yobby05]

one draw back is the unit does not have an ignition wire, so you can’t run the device with a smart alternator on

[@ClarkyMalarky]

( Generally a European manufacturer issue)

[@commonsensepreparednesschannel]

DC to DC chargers are actually meant to deal with smart alternators, otherwise we could still use a super cheap solenoid system. The red wire goes to your alternator, that's your "ignition" wire in this case. The unit can read the varying level coming from it.

[@ClarkyMalarky]

@@commonsensepreparednesschannel this is good to know, about to install this in a week? Is there a way to tell if you have a smart one? I’m assuming a 2019 Ram 3500 Laramie would have a smart one then ? :) excited for your install ! I’m worried these units may get hot , as the normal solar and or dc are much much bigger

[@commonsensepreparednesschannel]

@@ClarkyMalarky I would be very surprised if a 2019 did not have a smart alternator, most if not all new cars have them. I was ready to install and then saw they wired BOTH batteries with fuses so now I need to find a schematic to find out which battery needs to stay as the starter battery or if I need to move the wiring over.

[@yobby05]

There has already been a post in the Facebook group about this problem. The red wire is not the “ignition” it’s the supply feed into the unit. There are voltage thresholds that unit operates in. No criticism towards you, keen to see the install video you do