RENOGY Solar Suitcase User Guide

: June 6, 2024
: Renogy

SOLAR
SUITCASE
100W
Solar Suitcase w/ Voyager

RENOGY Solar Suitcase

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.
CAUTION Indicates a critical procedure for safe and proper operation of the controller
NOTE Indicates a procedure or function that is important to the safe and proper operation of the controller.
General Safety Information

Read all the instructions and cautions in the manual before beginning the installation.
There are no serviceable parts for this controller. Do NOT disassemble or attempt to repair the controller.
Make sure all connections going into and from the controller are tight.

Battery Safety

Use only sealed lead-acid, flooded, gel or lithium batteries which must be a 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.
Recycle the battery when it is replaced.
Over-charging and excessive gas precipitation may damage the battery plates and activate material shedding on them. Too high of an equalizing charge or too long of one may cause damage. Please carefully review the specific requirements of the battery used in the system.
Equalization is carried out only for non-sealed / vented/ flooded / wet cell lead acid batteries.
Do NOT equalize sealed / VRLA type AGM / Gel cell batteries UNLESS permitted by the battery manufacturer.

General Information

The Renogy Solar Suitcase combines highly efficient monocrystalline solar panels with a 20A Voyager charge controller to create an easy-to-use, ‘plug and play’ system.
This system is specifically designed for mobile off-grid applications, where space and weight limitations are abundant. The Solar Suitcase models support 12V deep cycle battery varieties such as sealed lead acid, gel, and flooded. With built-in tilting stands, these panels can be adjusted at different angles to maximize the power output throughout the seasons.
The alligator clips included in this package make it easy to connect the panel to a battery in seconds. If one ever needs to connect a battery with a different type of end terminal, the alligator clips are attached via MC4 Connectors.

Key Features

Easy to read LCD display solar charge information
7 Battery Type Compatible – Lithium-ion, LiFePO4, LTO, Gel, AGM, Flooded, and Calcium 4 Stage charging: Bulk, Boost. Float, and Equalization
Temperature compensation and correcting the charging and discharging parameters automatically, improving battery life.
Protection against: overcharging, over-discharging, overload, short-circuit, and reverse polarity.
Negative ground controller.
Tilting stands for maximum solar generating potential.
Convenient storage case for easy transportation.

PWM Technology
The Voyager utilizes Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technology for battery charging. Battery charging is a current-based process so controlling the current will control the battery voltage. For the most accurate return of capacity, and for the prevention of excessive gassing pressure, the battery is required to be controlled by specified voltage regulation set points for Absorption, Float, and Equalization charging stages. The charge controller uses automatic duty cycle conversion, creating pulses of current to charge the battery. The duty cycle is proportional to the difference between the sensed battery voltage and the specified voltage regulation set point. Once the battery reached the specified voltage range, pulse current charging mode allows the battery to react and allows for an acceptable rate of charge for the battery level.
Four Charging Stages 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. Boost Charge: When the battery has charged to the Boost voltage set-point, it undergoes an absorption stage which is equivalent to constant voltage regulation to prevent heating and excessive gassing in the battery. The default time for this is 120 minutes for the Voyager.
Float Charge: After Boost Charge, the controller will reduce the battery voltage to a float voltage set point. Once the battery is fully charged, there will be no more 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 a smaller quantity, while lightly The Voyager charge controller has a 4-stage battery charging algorithm for rapid, efficient, and safe battery charging. They include Bulk Charge, Boost Charge, Float Charge, and Equalization. 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.
Equalization: Is carried out every 28 days of the month. It is intentional overcharging of the battery for a controlled period of time. Certain types of batteries benefit from periodic equalizing charges, which can stir the electrolyte, balance battery voltage, and complete chemical reactions. Equalizing charge increases the battery voltage, higher than the standard complement voltage, which gasifies the battery electrolyte.
WARNUNG Once equalization is active in the battery charging, it will not exit this stage unless there is adequate charging current from the solar panel. There should be NO load on the batteries when in the equalization charging stage.
WARNUNG Over-charging and excessive gas precipitation may damage the battery plates and activate material shedding on them. Too high of equalizing charge or for too long may cause damage. Please carefully review the specific requirements of the battery used in the system.
WARNUNG Equalization may increase battery voltage to a level damaging to sensitive DC loads. Ensure that all load allowable input voltages are greater than the equalizing charging set point volta.

Included Components

MC4 to Alligator Clips w/ Fuse
Used for connecting charge controller to the battery. The entire cable from the charge controller to the alligator clips measures 9.9 feet with an inline fuse of 10A

Optional Components

Optional components that require a separate purchase:
Remote Temperature Sensor
Measures the temperature at the battery and uses this data for very accurate temperature compensation. The sensor is supplied with a 9.9 feet cable length that connects to the charge controller.

Identification of Parts

RENOGY Solar Suitcase-Identification of Parts

Key Parts

1. 20A Voyager Charge Controller
2. Junction Box
3. MC4 Connectors| 4. Tilt Stands
5. Battery Alligator Clips
6. In-line fuse (10A)| 7. Latch
8. Handle
9. Case (Not pictured)
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RENOGY Solar Suitcase-Key Parts

Key Parts

1. Backlit LCD
2. AMP/VOLT Button
3. BATTERY TYPE Button
4. LED Bar| 5. Remote Temperature Sensor Port
6. Battery Terminals
7. Solar Terminals
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Installation

Unlatch and unfold unit then connect MC4 Connectors
Connect Battery Alligator Clips to 12V Battery
Unscrew butterfly nut tilt to the desired angle and lock butterfly nut.

To maximize the output, adjust the angle of the suitcase regularly to track the sun’s movement throughout the season

RENOGY Solar Suitcase- maximize the output
Operation

When the controller powers on, the Voyager will run a self-quality check mode and automatically display the figures on LCD before going into auto work.

| Self-test starts, digital meter segments test
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Software version test
Rated voltage Test
Rated Current Test
External battery temperature sensor test (if connected)

Selecting Battery Type

WARNING
Incorrect battery type settings may damage your battery. Please check your battery manufacturer’s specifications when selecting battery type.
The Voyager provides 7 battery types for selection: Lithium-ion, LiFePO4, LTO, Gel, AGM, Flooded, and Calcium Battery.
Press and hold the BATTERY TYPE Button for 3 seconds to go into battery selection mode.
Press the BATTERY TYPE Button until the desired battery is displayed. After a few seconds, the highlighted battery type will automatically be selected.
NOTE
Lithium-ion batteries shown in the LCD indicate different types shown below:
Lithium Cobalt Oxide LiCoO2 (LCO) battery
Lithium Manganese Oxide LiMn2O4 (LMQ) battery
Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide LiNiMnCoO2 (NMC) battery
Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide LiNiCoAlo2 (NCA) battery
LiFePO4 battery indicates Lithium-iron Phosphate or LFP Battery
LTO Battery indicates Lithium Titanate Oxidized, Li4Ti5O12 Battery

AMP/VOLT Button

Pressing the AMP/VOLT Button will sequence through the following display parameters:
Battery Voltage, Charging Current, Charged Capacity (Amp-hour), and Battery Temperature (if external temperature sensor connected)
Normal Sequencing Display

RENOGY Solar Suitcase-Sequencing Display NOTE
The following is an alternative display voltage for when the battery is Fully charged

RENOGY Solar Suitcase-display voltage

LED Display

RENOGY Solar Suitcase-LED Display

System Status Icons

LED Behavior

LED Indicators RENOGY Solar Suitcase-LED
Indicators

LED Color	RED	BLUE	RED	ORANGE	GREEN	GREEN
Soft-charging	ON	Blitz	ON	OFF	OFF	OFF
Bulk charging ( BV < 11.5V )	ON	ON	ON	OFF	OFF	OFF

Bulk charging
( 11.5V < BV < 12.5V )| ON| ON| Aus| ON| OFF| OFF
Bulk charging ( BV > 12.5V )| ON| ON| Aus| Aus| ON| OFF
Absorption charging| ON| ON| Aus| Aus| ON| OFF
Float charging| ON| OFF| Aus| Aus| Aus| ON
Solar weak
( Dawn or Dusk )| FLASH| OFF| According to BV| OFF
In the night| Aus| OFF| OFF

LED Error Behavior

LED Indicators

RENOGY Solar Suitcase- LED Indicators

LED Color| RED| BLUE| RED| GE| GREEN| GREEN| |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
Solar good. BV < 3V| ON| OFF| FLASH| OFF| OFF| OFF| .b01′| FLASH
Solar good battery reversed| ON| OFF| FLASH| OFF| OFF| OFF| ‘b2’| FLASH
Solar good,
battery over-voltage| ON| OFF| FLASH| FLASH| FLASH| OFF| •b03′| FLASH
Solar off,
battery over-voltage| OFF| OFF| FLASH| FLASH| FLASH| OFF| ‘b3’| FLASH
Solar good, battery over 65 C| ON| OFF| FLASH| FLASH| FLASH| OFF| ‘b4’| FLASH
Battery good, solar reversed| FLASH| OFF| According to BV| OFF| ‘POI| FLASH
Battery good, solar overvoltage| FLASH| OFF| OFF| ‘P02’| FLASH
Over Temperature Protection| | ‘otP’| FLASH

System Status Troubleshooting

Description	Troubleshoot
Battery over voltage	Use a multi-meter to check the voltage of the battery.

Make sure the battery voltage is not exceeding the rated specification of the charge controller. Disconnect battery.
| Confirm that there is a tight and correct connection from the battery bank to the charge controller and the solar panels to the charge controller. Use a multi-meter to check if the polarity of the solar modules has been reversed on the charge controller’s solar terminals.
Everything is connected correctly, but the LCD on the controller does not turn on| Check the rated battery voltage. The LCD will not display on the charge controller unless there is at least 9V coming from the battery bank.

Maintenance

For best controller performance, it is recommended that these tasks be performed from time to time.

Check wiring going into the charge controller and make sure there is no wire damage or wear.
Tighten all terminals and inspect any loose, broken, or burnt up connections
Make sure readings in the LCD and LED are consistent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can the kit charge two or more 12V batteries connected in parallel?
A. Yes, it’s possible if the batteries have the same type and capacity and are wired in parallel as a single 12V battery bank.
Q. Is there any risk that the solar kit will overcharge my battery?
A. One of the functions of the solar charge controller is to ensure that your battery is not overcharged; therefore there is no risk of overcharge.
Q. Can I extend the battery leads?
A. Yes, it’s possible – please choose the same size of cable for extension. However, there longer the extension, the greater the line loss. A bigger gauge will be required for longer runs.
Q. Do I need to clean the solar panels?
A. Yes, it is recommended for better performance. Dust and dirt should first be swept off the panel surface using a soft brush. When the sweeping is complete, use a wet cloth to wipe the panel surface to remove the remaining dirt and grime.
Q. Can rain damage the solar kit?
A. The solar panels and charge controller are both fully waterproof (IP66, IP65).

Technical Specifications

Solar Panel Parameters

Description	100 W Parameters
Maximum Power	100 W
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)	21.6 V
Short Circuit Current (Isc)	6 A
Maximum Power Voltage (Vmp)	18.0 V
Maximum Power Current (Imp)	5.56 A
Cell Type	Monocrystalline
Operating Temperature	-40°F to +185°F
Folded Size	19.9 x 27.2 x 2.8 inches
Net Weight	27.1 lbs

Charge Controller Parameters

Electrical Parameters

Model Rating	20A
Normal Battery Voltage	12V
Maximum Solar Voltage(OCV)	26V
Maximum Battery Voltage	17V
Rated Charging Current	20A
Battery Start Charging Voltage	3V
Electrical Protection and Feature	Spark-free protection.

Reverse polarity solar and battery connection Reverse current from the battery to solar panel protection at night Over-temperature protection with derating charging current Transient overvoltage protection, at the solar input and battery output protects against surge voltage
Grounding| Common Negative
EMC Conformity| FCC Part-15 class B compliant: EN55022:2010:
Self-consumption| < 8mA

Mechanical Parameters

Dimensions	L6.38 x W3.82 x H1.34 inches
Weight	0.88 lbs.
Mounting	Vertical Wall Mounting
Ingress Protection Rating	IP65
Maximum Terminals Wire Size	10AWG ( 5 mm2)
Terminals Screw Torque	13 lbf-in
Operating Temperature	-40 F to +140 ‘.’
Meter Operating Temperature	-4 F to +140
Storage Temperature Range	–40 F to +185 F
Temp. Comp. Coefficient	-24mV / °C
Temp. Comp. Range	-4°F — 122°F
Operating Humidity	100% ( No condensation )

Battery Charging Parameters

Charging Stages Soft-Charge| The output battery voltage is 3V-10VDC. Current = half of the solar panel current
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Bulk| 10VDC to 14VDC
Current = Rated Charge Current
Absorption @ 25°C| Constant voltage until current drops to 0.75/1.0 amps and holds for the 30s. Minimum 2 hours charging time and maximum 4 hours’ time out If charging current < 0.2A, the stage will end.
Li-ion
12.6V| LiFePO4
14.4V| LTO
14.0V| GEL
14.1V| AGM 14.4V| WET
14.7 V| CALCIUM
14.9 V
Equalization| Only Wet (Flooded) or Calcium Batteries will equalize, 2 hours maximum
Wet (Flooded) = if discharge below 11.5V OR every 28 days charging period.
Calcium = every charging cycle
Wet (Flooded)
15.5V| Calcium
15.5V
Float| Li-ion N/A| LiFePO4
N/A| LTO
N/A| GEL 13.6V| AGM 13.6V| WET
13.6V| CALCIUM
13.6V
Under Voltage Recharging| iLi-ion2 o v| L i1F3e Pit v04| 1L3T40v| 1G2 E8Lv| 1A2G8Mv| 1W2 E8Tv| CALCIUM 1 28 V

Charging Parameters Glossary

Equalization Voltage —equalization voltage is a corrective over-charge of the battery. The user should consult their battery manufacturer regarding specific battery equalization capacity. This parameter sets the equalization voltage to set the battery at when it reaches the equalization state.
Boost Voltage —users should check with their battery manufacturer for proper charging parameters. In this stage, users set the boost voltage where the battery will reach a voltage level and remain there until the battery undergoes an absorption stage.
Float Voltage— once the charge controller recognizes the set float voltage, it will commence floating. The battery is supposed to be fully charged in its state, and the charge current is reduced to maintain battery stability levels.