Testing out an SRNE 50 amp DC-DC Charger MPPT Solar Controller Combo - Model MD1250N05

Link to Product Brochure - www.srnesolar.com/wp-content/...
SRNE Website - www.srnesolar.com/product/12v...
View Many More LYRV Boondocking Related Videos - www.loveyourrv.com/boondockin...
Renogy 40A DC-DC Charger Installation - www.loveyourrv.com/renogy-40-...
This video shows a new battery charging product offering from SRNE model MD1250N05. It's a two-in-one DC-DC Charger plus MPPT solar controller putting out 50 amps of battery charge power. This enables you to charge the RV house battery bank via solar panels or the vehicle's alternator using just one device.
I first review the features and look at the various 'plugs/connections and what they do. Then I hook it up to a solar panel array and my truck's alternator for real-world testing.
So far, the product looks pretty decent, but I have a few questions for the manufacturer. I could not get the charger to charge with the solar and alternator simultaneously. Also, I couldn't get into a mode where the solar panels could charge the starter battery. Stay tuned for a second video for my complete product review after more testing and answers to my questions.
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[@LoveYourRV]

Link to Product Brochure - www.srnesolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SRNE_MD-series_12V_30A-50A_DC-DC-charger-with-MPPT-for-RV_datasheet_1.32.pdf SRNE Website - www.srnesolar.com/product/12v-mppt-solar-dc-charging-controller-50a-md1250n05 Renogy 40A DC-DC Charger Installation - www.loveyourrv.com/renogy-40-amp-dc-dc-charger-installation-and-demo/ View Many More LYRV Boondocking Related Videos - www.loveyourrv.com/boondocking-related-post-archive/

[@larryv4249]

Congratulations Ray.......#1 Best RV repair and maintenance KZbin channel by RV Travel. Keep 'em coming Ray!

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks!

[@herb7877]

Great review! Nice unit & yet another item I want but really don’t need though. Our power requirements are pretty low,so our small solar system works just fine for us..I’ve tried to justify a dc- dc charger for a couple years now but can’t convince myself yet. Had I not purchased a new charge controller just a couple of months ago, I’d have gone this route though just in case for the future.

[@craigfoster5198]

Thanks for the great review, I purchased an almost identical unit rebranded by PowMr a few months ago on amazon. It has since become unavailable but you can buy a 30amp version still. I can confirm that it will indeed charge your starter battery but also have yet to successfully set it up for mixed input between solar/alternator

[@MrElkyluvr]

Just an fyi, there is a setting in your truck pcm called evr. If you have it enabled, It will automatically idle up your engine under high electrical loads to keep from draining the battery. I'm sure you know that the 220 amps alt output is rpm dependant. There are charts online for anyone wondering the amp/rpm spec.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thank for the tip, haven't seemed to need it. My truck is a bare bones Tradesman model with very little electronics, extra lighting, power seats or stuff like seat and steering wheel heaters. So not much drawing on the batteries. There is a manual adjustment on the steering wheel using the cruise control and the + - buttons, where I can change the idle RPM. The truck will also raise it on its own if it's really cold out. Cheer, Ray

[@MrElkyluvr]

@@LoveYourRV Now we at least know that 50amps isn't enough to tax the truck at idle. That's good news. I had a single 180 amp alt and just installed the oem dual 220 amp alts. I was messing around in the settings to turn on the dual alts and saw that evr setting. Sounded like a really nice option. I have the manual trans so I can't idle up with the cruise switches. Great vid.

[@jeffslater3708]

Fantastic info!

[@MattLesak]

Thanks Ray!

[@neilpateman333]

Hi Ray Your existing setup with 2 separate mppt controllers and a dc to dc charger gives you a way better charging system because they are all additive in there charging capability. This unit you are testing does not have the ability to push 50 amps of solar and 60 amps of alternator 20:17 current at the same time unlike your present system. I like the idea after being parked for awhile then hitting the road and maximizing the charging to the batteries with solar and alternator.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, the max output is 50 amps, so would lose a bit when sunny on the road versus the current setup. Pondering it...I think what I might do is pull out the Renogy 40 amp charger and replace it with the new SRNE 50 amp and leave the 2 SRNE 40 amp controllers as is. Then use the new SRNE MPPT for my ground panels. So I will have 3 solar controllers feeding my battery bank when camped and an option of 50 amp DC-DC charger when towing, plus the roof solar. :) Being that they will all be SRNE MPPT, they should match well in their Li mode and not fight each other much, reducing the overall charging amps. Also, I have a spare 200Ah Amperetime lithium battery that I have wired in via a battery AB switch as a backup battery to my main Lion Energy 420Ah bank. So I think I will add an AB switch to the DC-DC charger output so I could charge that backup battery going down the road as well or via the ground panels when camped. Cheers, Ray

[@neilpateman333]

Sounds like a good plan to replace the Renogy dc to dc charger with the new SNRE unit and you’ll have solar and alternator charging available. I have the Renogy 60 amp dc to dc charger and you make your charging voltage settings and forget about it. As mentioned by one of your subscribers they found all the settings confusing, and you did mention about the sharing of alternator and solar charging, would you have to change settings when you’re on the road traveling and not using solar. Great discussion, and really enjoy your channel for the techy stuff as well as the boon-docking tips and locations.

[@coreybabcock2023]

I have that Same renogy 40 amp DC to dc charger for my 12 200 ah calb prismatic plastic encased lifpo4 cells in 3p 4s setup

[@DennisWintjes2]

Thanks Ray! Like #90

[@bboyda4399]

Hey Ray, I have a similar dcdc charger from Renogy as this one. It will only deliver up to 50% charge from alternator while solar is available. It tracks solar and if solar goes above 50% the alternator draw drops to keep total charge at 100% but solar is master. So 90% solar 10% alternator. The starter battery charging always hangs up on my unit so I no longer allow it to charge the starter.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks. that's somewhat how I imagine this is suppose to work but it doesn't. I emailed the company to get help to see how to enable hybrid charging mode 3.

[@richdv6800]

As always a great review Ray, thanks! This exactly what I need, already have a Victron MPPT controller for my roof solar, but I'm looking to add a DC to DC charger and an Ecoflow 400W or the new Bluetti 420W suitcase, so this will work perfect for my requirement in covering both the DC to DC charger and solar suitcase charge controller! Just to clarify, the SRNE50 is only for 50A RVs and then of course the SRNE30 would be for a 30A trailer, which is my case? Thanks Ray!

[@LoveYourRV]

The 50 and 30 don't refer to types of RV AC shore power service. It refers to the max DC charging amps output to RV batteries.

[@richdv6800]

@@LoveYourRV Ah ok thanks Ray, looking forward to your follow up video!

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

Why do you want to get a power station? A lithium battery and an inverter would give you much more power.

[@richdv6800]

@@aguyandhiscomputer Not looking to get a power station, I have a 3kW inverter, 630Ahrs lithium batteries and 400W of solar on my trailer roof, looking to get the ecoflow or bluetti solar suitcase, so this DC to DC charger with MPPT charge controller combo will be great, can charge the trailer lithium batteries while driving plus a charge controller for the ecoflow or bluetti solar suitcase!

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

@@richdv6800 geez, ok, I missed the briefcase part somehow. Have you swapped out the converter for a lithium compatible one? I'd get a small inverter generator. That'll charge the batteries faster than solar will.

[@Dirt-Diggler]

That looks similar to the renogy dcc50s or the redarc 🤔 has more functions than those though it uses the same BT2 dongle as the renogy 🤔 On the renogy the house battery has to be over 13.9 for a set time before it will charge the starter battery, maybe that is the same ??

[@flyovercounty1427]

Hi Ray - the flooded truck starting batteries will have a “surface charge” above 12.6v for a few minutes after the engine has been running. It gradually decreases to a resting voltage. Perhaps the unit has to see the voltage drop off from the truck batteries before it switches to solar? Thanks for the review

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks, yes will have to test it more and see if that's the case.

[@fratermus5502]

looks like a Kisae/Ring. I've heard that SRNE is the maker of many rebrands, so maybe this is the "original".

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, SRNE makes for many brands by the looks of things. Here is a video off their website kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp-yf6mDeq6CmpY Shows they are quite a big R&D and production outfit.

[@stevebrown4475]

Great video. I just bought the 50amp SRNE. I'm wondering if the Victron Energy VE. Direct Bluetooth Smart Dongle would work since they have the same connections?

[@LoveYourRV]

I think some of the Renogy ones might work but haven't heard if the Victron does

[@stevebrown4475]

@@LoveYourRV it would be interesting to find out if the victron would work though. But I think I'll just get one from Renogy if I can't find the SRNE dongle

[@LoveYourRV]

You can buy the SRNE BT-2 Bluetooth dongle off of Aliexpress www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804185002916.html Shipping takes a while but that is where I got mine. Here is another source azimuthsolar.ca/product/srne-bt-2/ Cheers, Ray

[@stevebrown4475]

@@LoveYourRV I did just that thanks.

[@herb7877]

Question: I understand the use of the lugs from the controller to the battery and your short premade leads. Assuming you replaced your current charge controller would you use the same gauge of wire for the longer leads? What gauge did use and what if any change would you make? I assume you’d have a max of 50 amps at times (hopefully).

[@LoveYourRV]

I've used fine-threaded 6 gauge for the output leads to the battery bank buss bar from my 2 40 amp solar controllers and the 40 amp DC-DC charger, which worked well. I'd likely stick with that as the runs are quite short, and any larger gauge requires mods to the end of the wire to get it to fit the terminals. 6AWG is rated at around 100 amps for chassis wiring.

[@thewanderingshores]

Ray, we really like our SNRE solar charge controller. We have the 60 amp version. We got it after watching your original video. However, I continually have issues with the solar app. Are you using the one that they recommend or have you found a different one to use. The app is always crashing especially in locations where there are a lot of other Bluetooth devices. As you probably know, you have to connect the Bluetooth to the solar charge controller each time you open the app. I've learned to live with that but now I can't even track any information and SNRE has been less than responsive to email that I sent them. Thanks Kyle

[@LoveYourRV]

The QR code on the brochure led me to this app play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.srne.androidapp Seem to be a new app that does multiple products. Once the device its added it connects right away for me.

[@thewanderingshores]

@@LoveYourRV excellent, I actually just found that in the app store after looking at yours and what it was called in the video. I'm trying to sync now but it's just spinning so I'm guessing it might still be an issue with how many bluetooths are in the area. I'll have to try it once we move away from quartzite.

[@LoveYourRV]

Just tested the app with my first SRNE 40A MPPT controller MC2440N10 that has the same com plug BT2 dongle and it synced up right away. Looks like it works much better than the original app.

[@Yukonjackman1]

Good morning Ray, we have a travel trailer I built a tray i added to the tung between the propane tanks and front of the trailer. Lythum batterys 4 battery born 100Ah, places for my Honda generator and a box for the inverter, I do have a 20 amp dc to dc charger but haven't hooked up yet, 400 watts poor solar on the roof victron charge controller what guage wire would you recommend for that dc to dc 20 amp charger , my rig is a 2001dodge diesel 4x4 2500 with a mechman 180 amp alternator.

[@LoveYourRV]

You might get away with 6 gauge depending on the length of the run but 4 is better. See the manual page 9 Wire and fusing: www.renogy.com/content/RNG-DCC1212-20-BC/DCC1212-204060-Manual.pdf I used 4 gauge for my 40 amp and its worked well. My truck is long bed crew cab so about 21 feet long. I used the frame as the negative return.

[@milesjohnston8628]

Were you successful in getting it to stop pulling from the starter battery after the engine was shut off? I just installed mine today and am trying to get it figured out

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, took a little bit of time, approx. 3-5 minutes for the extra surface charge to dissipate off the starter batteries and voltage level to come down but once it did the charge amperage lowered and stopped.

[@kevinf3861]

Is the ignition switch lead hooked-up? Not obvious to me...

[@LoveYourRV]

No, I didn't have the ignition voltage sense wire hooked up. Doesn't appear to be needed for my truck. I figured as much as the Renogy DC-DC charger I've been using hasn't needed it.

[@thijsthijs9071]

Hi Ray, Many thanks for the video! I've had the unit installed in my camper for a few days and everything was working fine(375w solar, Alternator and it was charging my leisure- and starter battery). until... I turned on my AC220v-->12v battery charger(probably putting 13,8vdc to the port). I had it connected to my Bat+ and Bat- ports but now my unit is completely dead! I disconnected the charger, reconnected the wires but nothing helped. I also opened the unit and the only two visible 30a fuses were still fine. Any idea how I could solve this? I was about to leave for a holiday trip with the family...

[@LoveYourRV]

It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong unless you accidently got the polarity wrong on the DC wiring. Maybe it was a dud :(

[@michelp583]

I was wondering if the temperature sensor can be use to stop charging Li/on batteries as it will damage the battery if charged below 0 C. Also, I find the max open PV circuit to be very low. In your case, you had 47 V where the max is stated at 55 V . I am stressed out for you sitting in my sofa 1000s of miles from you.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, looks like it does. Here is from the manual: *Backup Battery Temperature Sampling Interface* By connecting the temperature probe to Interface ⑩, the real-time temperature of the battery can be sampled, and the default is 25℃ if the temperature probe is not connected; if the temperature probe is connected, the battery temperature will be sampled for high and low temperature protection of the battery or temperature compensation of charging voltage of lead-acid battery. Connection Method: connect the temperature sensor terminal to Interface ⑩, and fix the temperature sensor on the battery surface. I'll have to plug it in and figure out how to setup it. Cheers, Ray

[@joaoguimaraes2974]

Good morning. Can the md1250n05 controller be installed in a vehicle with a 100 Ah alternator? Can alternators that generate more than 60 Ah damage the controller? Thanks! João

[@LoveYourRV]

The alternator can't damage the controller as it will only pass a maximum amperage of 50. An alternator can be damage if its asked to provide more amperage than its capable of it may overheat. This controller can be adjusted though so you can lower the maximum amperage if attaching to a less powerful alternator.

[@joaoguimaraes2974]

@@LoveYourRV Thanks!

[@balazsherold1124]

I understand that the MD1250N05 cannot charge the starter battery and the other battery together from the solar panel. This is true?

[@LoveYourRV]

I've never been able to get the solar to charge the starter battery, but maybe that's because my starter battery is fully charged. Even when I press the force starter battery charging in the app it just reverts back to back up battery charigng.

[@jkjk-hj7hb]

Ray, how much cost the charger ? Alex

[@LoveYourRV]

Around $180-200 wholesale. Its fairly new charger so not out on the market much yet. Usually what happens is other brands buy and add their own logo and resell in North America. Here is the charger listed by SRNE on Alibaba for suppliers. www.alibaba.com/product-detail/SRNE-DC-DC-MPPT-Solar-Charge_1600593758947.html

[@hpda44]

It’s way complicated. Your person that deals with these things all the time and you’re having trouble figuring it out! What about the average guy? And if the average guy figures it out and makes it work and something goes wrong a few months down the line are they gonna have to relearn everything? Yes

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, if you are going to DIY stuff you have to take on the task of learning new equipment, etc. Just the way it is or pay an installer and tech their high hourly rates. But I usually figure things out then I can help out others. This one is a little difficult because they are Chinese and often the manuals aren't very clear or omit things. I often think half the reason they get me to do the new product reviews is so they learn what needs to be addressed or has bug. Cheers, Ray

[@JamesBrown-ux9ds]

Thank you Ray, you are doing an excellent job, highly appreciated!