Rover Series Rover 20A | 30A | 40A Maximum Power Point Tracking Solar Charge Controller Version 1.
Important Safety Instructions Please save these instructions. This manual contains important safety, installation, and operating instructions for the charge controller. The following symbols are used throughout the manual to indicate potentially dangerous conditions or important safety information. WARNING CAUTION NOTE Indicates a potentially dangerous condition.
Battery Safety Use only sealed lead-acid, flooded, gel or lithium batteries which must be deep cycle. Explosive battery gases may be present while charging. Be certain there is enough ventilation to release the gases. Be careful when working with large lead acid batteries. Wear eye protection and have fresh water available in case there is contact with the battery acid. Carefully read battery manuals before operation. Do NOT let the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of the battery touch each other.
Table of Contents 03 General Information 04 Additional Components 08 Optional Components 08 Identification of Parts 09 Installation 10 Operation 14 LED Indicators 18 Rover Protections 20 System Status Troubleshooting 21 Error Codes 21 Maintenance 22 Fusing 22 Technical Specifications 23 Electrical Parameters 23 General 23 Battery Charging Parameters 24 PV Power – Conversion Efficiency Curves 25 Dimensions 26
General Information The Rover Series charge controllers are suitable for various off-grid solar applications. It protects the battery from being over-charged by the solar modules and over-discharged by the loads. The controller features a smart tracking algorithm that maximizes the energy from the solar PV module (s) and charge the battery. At the same time, the low voltage disconnect function (LVD) will prevent the battery from over discharging.
Therefore, assuming 100% efficiency: Power In = Power Out Volts In * Amps In = Volts out * Amps out Although MPPT controllers are not 100% efficient, they are very close at about 92-95% efficient. Therefore, when the user has a solar system whose Vmp is greater than the battery bank voltage, then that potential difference is proportional to the current boost.
Four Charging Stages The Rover MPPT charge controller has a 4-stage battery charging algorithm for a rapid, efficient, and safe battery charging. They include: Bulk Charge, Boost Charge, Float Charge, and Equalization. Bulk Charge: This algorithm is used for day to day charging. It uses 100% of available solar power to recharge the battery and is equivalent to constant current.
The charge controller will reduce the voltage charge to smaller quantity, while lightly charging the battery. The purpose for this is to offset the power consumption while maintaining a full battery storage capacity. In the event that a load drawn from the battery exceeds the charge current, the controller will no longer be able to maintain the battery to a Float set point and the controller will end the float charge stage and refer back to bulk charging.
Additional Components Additional components included in the package: Remote Temperature Sensor: This sensor measures the temperature at the battery and uses this data for very accurate temperature compensation. Accurate temperature compensation is important in ensuring proper battery charging regardless of the temperature. NOTE Do Not use this sensor when charging lithium battery. USB to RS-232 Converter Cable: This PC communication cable is needed for remote monitoring using an optional PC software.
Identification of Parts 1 ○ 2 ○ 3 ○ 4 ○ 5 ○ 7 ○ 6 ○ 8 ○ 9 ○ 10 ○ 11 ○ 12 ○ Key Parts 1. PV LED Indicator 2. Battery LED Indicator 3. Load LED Indicator 4. System Error LED Indicator 5. LCD Screen 6. Operating Keys 7. Mounting Holes 8. Remote Temperature Sensor Port (optional accessory) 9. PV Terminals 10. Battery Terminals 11. Load Terminals 12.
Installation Recommended tools to have before installation: Screwdriver WARNING WARNING Multi-Meter Connect battery terminal wires to the charge controller FIRST then connect the solar panel(s) to the charge controller. NEVER connect solar panel to charge controller before the battery. Do NOT connect any inverters or battery chargers into the LOAD TERMINAL of the charge controller. INVERTER BATTERY CHARGER HIGH AMP DRAWING DEVICE CAUTION CAUTION Do not over tighten the screw terminals.
Battery 1 2 3 11
Load (optional) 1 2 Solar Panels 1 2 12
PC or Bluetooth Module communication (optional) 1 2 Temperature Sensor (optional, not polarity sensitive) 1 3 NOTE 2 Secure the Temperature Sensor lug to one of the battery posts Do NOT place the Temperature Sensor lug inside the battery cell. Mounting Recommendations WARNING Never install the controller in a sealed enclosure with flooded batteries. Gas can accumulate and there is a risk of explosion. 1.
2. Check for Clearance—verify that there is sufficient room to run wires, as well as clearance above and below the controller for ventilation. The clearance should be at least 6 inches (150mm). 3. Mark Holes 4. Drill Holes 5. Secure the charge controller. Operation Rover is very simple to use. Simply connect the batteries, and the controller will automatically determine the battery voltage. The controller comes equipped with an LCD screen and 4 buttons to maneuver though the menus.
Main Display Main Screen Solar Panel Voltage Battery Voltage Charging Current Battery Capacity Error Code Load mode Load Current Accumulated AH Ambient Temperature Discharged AH NOTE The Battery Capacity (SOC%) is an estimation based on the charging voltage.
Page Up/ Increase parameter value / /- Page Down/ Decrease parameter value Return to the previous menu ENTER/ Enter sub menu/ save parameter value/ turn load on or off in manual mode Programming Parameters Battery type System voltage Over-discharge voltage Equalizing voltage Over-discharge return voltage boost voltage Floating charging voltage To enter the programming interface simply press and hold the right arrow button.
Programming Load Terminal 1 2 3 4 1. This screen is displaying the current Load Mode. 2. To enter screen 2 press and hold the Enter button. This screen will allow you to change the load mode. 3. To change the load mode press the up or down button. 4. Once you have selected the desired load mode press the Enter button to save the setting. 5. To exit the programming setting press the left button.
LCD Indicators nighttime daytime solar panel charging stage system voltage charging battery discharging setting serial port bluetooth abnormality load battery type parameter value unit LED Indicators ①---PV array indicator Indicating the controller's current charging mode. ②---BAT indicator Indicating the battery's current state. ③---LOAD indicator Indicating the loads' On/ Off state. ④---ERROR indicator Indicating whether the controller is functioning normally.
PV Indicator (1) WhiteSolid The PV system is charging the battery bank White Slow Flashing The Controller is undergoing boost stage White Single Flashing The Controller is undergoing float stage White Fast Flashing The Controller is undergoing equalization stage White Double Flashing The PV system is charging the battery bank at a slow rate. Make sure panels are not shaded. Low Amperage Off The PV system is not charging the battery bank. PV not detected.
Rover Protections Protection Behavior PV Array Short Circuit When PV shot circuit occurs, the controller will stop charging. Clear it to resume normal operation. PV Overvoltage If the PV voltage is larger than maximum input open voltage 100VDC, PV will remain disconnected until the voltage drops below 100VDC. PV Overcurrent The controller will limit the battery charging current to the maximum battery current rating. Therefore, an over-sized solar array will not operate at peak power.
System Status Troubleshooting PV indicator Troubleshoot Off during daylight Ensure that the PV wires are correctly and tightly secured inside the charge controller PV terminals. Use a multi-meter to make sure the poles are correctly connected to the charge controller. BATT Indicator Troubleshoot White Slow Flashing Disconnect loads, if any, and let the PV modules charge the battery bank. Use a multi-meter to frequently check on any change in battery voltage to see if condition improves.
Maintenance WARNING Risk of Electric Shock! Make sure that all power is turned off before touching the terminals on the charge controller. For best controller performance, it is recommended that these tasks be performed from time to time. 1. Check that controller is mounted in a clean, dry, and ventilated area. 2. Check wiring going into the charge controller and make sure there is no wire damage or wear. 3. Tighten all terminals and inspect any loose, broken, or burnt up connections. 4.
Technical Specifications Electrical Parameters RVR-20 Model Nominal system voltage Rated Battery Current Rated Load Current Max. Battery Voltage Max Solar Input Voltage RVR-30 RVR-40 12V/24V Auto Recognition 40A 30A 20A 20A 32V 100 VDC 12V @ 260W 12V @ 400W 12V @ 520W 24V @ 520W 24V @ 800W 24V @ 1040W 20A 20A Max. Solar Input Power ≤100mA @ 12V ≤58mA @ 24V ≤ 0.26V ≤ 0.15V -3mV/°C/2V (default) Self-Consumption Charge circuit voltage drop Discharge circuit voltage drop Temp.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
PV Power – Conversion Efficiency Curves Illumination Intensity: 1000W/ m2 Temp 25℃ 1.12 Volt System Conversion Efficiency MPPT 12V conversion efficiency (12V battery) Conversion efficiency Output power（W） 2.
Dimensions RVR-20 ROV-20 151 59.5 131 154 210 4xφ3 8 4xφ9 69.20 13.87 Product dimensions: 210*151*59.5mm Hole positions: 154*131mm Hole diameter: Ø3mm Maximum Wire Gauge 8 AWG 6xφ 8 117.32 143.63 Dimensions in millimeters (mm) NOTE RVR-30/40 72.5 147 8 238 180 173 4xφ3 4xφ10 6xφ 8 22 78.30 18 131.46 167.60 NOTE Product dimensions: 238*173*72.
2775 E. Philadelphia St., Ontario, CA 91761 1-800-330-8678 Renogy reserves the right to change the contents of this manual without notice.
