Rover Series Rover 20A | 40A Maximum Power Point Tracking Solar Charge Controller 0 2775 E. Philadelphia St., Ontario, CA 91761 1-800-330-8678 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: Indicates a potentially dangerous condition. Use extreme caution when performing this task.
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. Recycle battery when it is replaced.
Table of Contents General Information .................................................................................. 4 Additional Components ........................................................................... 7 Identification of Parts ............................................................................... 8 Operation ................................................................................................. 13 LED Indicators .........................................................
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.
chemical reactions and all the charge current would turn into heat or gas. Because of this, 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.
Figure 1 USB to RS-232 Converter Cable: This PC communication cable is needed for remote monitoring using an optional PC software. Through the software, users could customize their charge parameters and other settings. Download the PC software through Renogy’s website under the “Downloads” section. NOTE: PC Communication requires the USB be connected at all times. Wireless capability not available. WARNING: Do NOT use a PC Ethernet cable. This can and will cause permanent damage to a computer.
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.
INVERTER BATTERY CHARGER HIGH AMP DRAWING DEVICE CAUTION: Do not over tighten the screw terminals. This could potentially break the piece that holds the wire to the charge controller. CAUTION: Refer to the technical specifications for max wire sizes on the controller and for the maximum amperage going through wires. You are now ready to begin connecting your battery to your charge controller.
3 Load (optional) 1 2 Solar Panels 1 2 11
PC communication (optional) 2 1 Temperature Sensor (optional, not polarity sensitive) 1 2 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. Choose Mounting Location—place the controller on a vertical surface protected from direct sunlight, high temperatures, and water. Make sure there is good ventilation. 2.
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 Current Load mode Ambient Temperature Accumulated AH Discharged AH 14
/ 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 Float voltage After entering the programming interface, press the Enter button to switch between parameters. To change the parameters, press the Up or Down button.
Programming Load Terminal 1 2 3 4 5 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 LED Indicators 1 2 3 4 1 ---PV array ○ indicator Indicating the controller's current charging mode. Indicating the battery's current 2 ---BAT indicator ○ state. 3 ---LOAD indicator ○ Indicating the loads' On/ Off state. 4 ---ERROR ○ indicator Indicating whether the controller is functioning normally.
PV Indicator (1) White Solid White Slow Flashing White Single Flashing White Fast Flashing White Double Flashing Off BATT Indicator (2) White Solid White Slow Flashing White Fast Flashing LOAD Indicator (3) Status The PV system is charging the battery bank The Controller is undergoing boost stage The Controller is undergoing float stage The Controller is undergoing equalization stage The PV system is charging the battery bank at a slow rate. Make sure panels are not shaded.
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 Off during daylight BATT Indicator White Slow Flashing White Fast Flashing Load Indicator White Fast Flashing Error Indicator White Solid Troubleshoot 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. Troubleshoot Disconnect loads, if any, and let the PV modules charge the battery bank.
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 Model ROV-20 Nominal system voltage Rated Battery Current Rated Load Current Max. PV Input Short Current Max. Battery Voltage Max Solar Input Voltage Max. Solar Input Power ROV-40 12V/24V Auto Recognition 20A 40A 20A 20A 25A 50A 32V 100 VDC 12V @ 260W 12V @ 520W 24V @ 520W 24V @ 1040W ≤100mA @ 12V ≤58Ma @ 24V ≤ 0.26V ≤ 0.15V Self-Consumption Charge circuit voltage drop Discharge circuit voltage drop Temp.
Discharging Limit Voltage Equalization Duration Boost Duration 10.6 V 10.6 V 10.6 V 9-17V ----- 2 hours 2 hours 0-10 Hrs. 2 hours 2 hours 2 hours 1-10 Hrs. **Parameters are multiplied by 2 for 24V systems.
ROVER: PV Power – Conversion Efficiency Curves Illumination Intensity: 1000W/ m2 Temp 25oC 1. 12 Volt System Conversion Efficiency MPPT 12V conversion efficiency (12V battery) Conversion efficiency Output power（W） 2.
Dimensions ROV-20 Product dimensions: 210*151*59.
ROV-40 Product dimensions: 238*173*72.5mm Hole positions: 180*147mm Hole diameter: Ø 3mm Maximum Wire Gauge 8 AWG NOTE: Dimensions in millimeters (mm) Renogy reserves the right to change the contents of this manual without notice.
27
