RENOGY Dual Input DC-DCBoard Battery Charger Instructions

: June 7, 2024
: Renogy

Renogy

RENOGY Dual Input DC-DCBoard Battery Charger

product

Important Safety Instructions

This manual contains important safety, installation, and operating instructions for the DCDC Battery Charger. Do not operate the Battery Charger unless you have read and understood this manual and the charger is installed as per these installation instructions. Renogy recommends that the charger be installed by a qualified professional. Store it in a safe place. The following symbols are used throughout the manual to indicate poentially dangerous conditions or important safety information.

Safety instruction: Failure to observe this instruction will result in fatal or serious injury.
Safety instruction: Failure to observe this instruction can result in fatal or serious injury.
Safety instruction: Failure to observe this instruction can lead to injury.
NOTICE Failure to observe this instruction can cause material damage and impair the function of the product.
Supplementary information for operating the product.

The manufacturer accepts no liability for damage in the following cases:

Faulty assembly or connection.
Damage to the product resulting from mechanical influences and excess voltage.
Alterations to the product without expressed permission from the manufacturer.
Use for purposes other than those described in the operating manual.

For protection, pay close attention to the following basic safety information when using electrical services:

Electric shock
Fire hazards
Injury

General Safety

In the event of fire, use a fire extinguisher that is suitable for electrical devices.
Only use the product as intended.
Make sure all connections going into and from the product are tight
Disconnect the product from the battery
——each time before cleaning and maintenance
——before a fuse change (only by specialists)
Do NOT allow water to enter the product
——Detach all connections.
——Make sure that no voltage is present on any of the inputs and outputs.
The product may not be used if the product itself or the connection cable is visibly damaged.
This product may only be repaired by qualified personnel. DO NOT disassemble or attempt to repair the unit. Inadequate repairs may cause serious hazards.
Electrical devices are not toys.
Always keep and use the product out of the reach of children.
Children must be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the product.
Before start-up, check that the voltage specification on the plate is the same as that of the power supply.
Ensure that other objects cannot cause a short circuit to the contacts of the product.
Store the product in a dry and cool place.

Safety when connecting the product electronically

Danger of fatal electric shock!
For installation on boats:
If electrical devices are incorrectly installed on boats, this can lead to corrosion damage on the boat. Have the product installed by a qualified (boat) electrician.
If you are working on electrical systems, ensure that there is somebody close at hand who can help you in emergencies.
Make sure that the cables has a sufficient cross-section.
Lay the cables so that they cannot be damaged by the doors or the bonnet. Crushed cables can lead to serious injury.
Lay the cables so that they cannot be tripped over or damaged.
Use ductwork or cable ducts if it is necessary to lay cables through metal panels or other panels with sharp edges.
Do not lay the AC cable and DC cable in the same conduit (empty pipe).
Do not lay the cables so that they are loose or heavily kinked.
Firmly secure the cables, contact with each other.
Do not pull on the cables

Charger Safety

NEVER connect the solar panel to the charger without a service battery connection. The Battery must be connected first.
Ensure the PV input voltage does not exceed 25 Vdc to prevent permanent damage. Use the Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) at the lowest temperature to make sure the voltage does not exceed this value when connecting panels together.

Battery Safety

Batteries may contain aggressive and corrosive acids. Avoid battery fluid coming into contact with your body. If your skin does come into contact with battery fluid, thoroughly wash that part of your body with water. If you sustain any injuries from the acids, contact a doctor immediately.
When working on batteries, do not wear any metal objects such as watches or rings. Lead acid batteries can cause short circuits which can cause serious injuries.
Danger of explosions!
Never attempt to charge a frozen or defective battery.
In this situation, place the battery in a frost-free area and wait until the battery has adjusted to the ambient temperature. Then start the charging process.
Wear goggles and protective clothing when you work on batteries. Do not touch your eyes when working with batteries.
Do not smoke and ensure that no sparks can arise in the vicinity of the engine or battery.
Only use rechargeable batteries.
Use sufficient cable cross sections.
Protect the positive conduit with a fuse.
Prevent any metal parts from falling on the battery. This can cause sparks or short circuit the battery and other electrical parts.
Make sure the polarity is correct when connecting.
Follow the instructions of the battery manufacturer and those of the manufacturer of the system or vehicle in which the battery is used.
If you need to remove the battery, disconnect it first from the ground connection. Disconnect all connections from the battery before removing it.

General Information

The Renogy Dual Input DC-DC On Board Battery Charger w/ MPPT is designed to charge your service battery to 100% from two inputs: solar and alternator. Featuring multi-battery compatibility including Lithium, this DCDC utilizes alternator power, solar power with MPPT technology, or both to make sure that you’re always charged and can enjoy being off the grid longer!

Key Features

Designed to charge service batteries from two DC inputs—solar panels and alternator
Built-in Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to maximize the solar power
3-phase charging profile (Bulk, Boost, and Float) ensures your service battery will be accurately charged at the correct voltage levels to 100%
Compatible with smart alternators (with variable output voltage)
Trickle charges the starting battery via solar panels if the service battery is fully charged
Isolation of the starting battery and the service battery
Temperature and voltage compensation features prolong battery life and improve system performance
Smart Protection Features: battery isolation, over-voltage protection, battery temperature protection, over-current protection, overheat protection, reverse current protection, solar panel and alternator reverse polarity protection
Compatible with multiple battery types: Sealed, AGM, GEL, Flooded, and Lithium Compact with a sturdy design, it was built tough for all conditions

Product Overview

Identification of Parts

Key Parts

#	Labeling	Description
1	PV+	Positive (+) input terminal for the PV Array. Requires ring terminal
2	ALT+	Positive (+) input terminal from the Starter Battery
3	OUT+	Positive (+) output terminal for House Battery

4

| ****

NEG-

| Common Negative (-) Terminal for Solar Panel Array, Starter Battery, and House Batt

5

| ****

RS485

| Communication port for app and monitoring screen; future development.

6

| ****

BTS

| Battery Temperature Sensor port utilizing data for accurate temperature compensation and charge voltage adjustment

7

| ****

BVS

| Battery Voltage Sensor (RVSCC) port for measuring the battery voltage accurately with longer line runs. Due to the connection and cable resistance, there can be discrepancies in voltages at the terminal vs the BVS.
#| Labeling| Description
---|---|---

8

| ****

IGN+

| Ignition Signal Input port for triggering the battery charger for smart alternators. IGN wire recommended 18-16AWG .

Standard/Traditional Alternator –has a fixed voltage when charging (Do not connect IGN wire)

Smart Alternator—has a controlled charging output based on operating conditions Variable. (Requires IGN signal wire).

9

| ****

TYPE

| Battery type push button. Change the LED to the matching battery type of your application.

10

| |

Alternator/Charging Indicator

11| | Solar Charging Indicator
12| | Service Battery Indicator

13

| |

Battery Type Indicator

Dimensions

Additional Components

Additional components included in the package:

Battery Temperature Sensor

The proper battery charging voltage is important for optimum battery performance and longevity. This Remote Temperature Sensor measures temperature at the battery, allowing the DC-DC charger to use this data for accurate temperature compensation and charge voltage adjustment.
NOTE: No temperature compensation when charging lithium battery.

IGN Signal Wire for Smart Alternator

Smart alternators allows the vehicle to control the output voltage depending on the operating conditions whereas traditional alternators output a fixed higher voltage. If your readings are around 14.4V DC then then you most likely have the traditional, non-smart alternator. If your reading is closer to 12.5-13.5V then it’s likely that you have a smart alternator. Check with your vehicle manufacturer to determine alternator status.

RS485 Communication Cable

Communication cable for RS485 port for App and Monitoring Screen; future development.

Optional Components

Optional components require a separate purchase.

Battery Voltage Sensor (RVSCC)

The Battery Voltage Sensor provides users with more accurate battery Charging giving you peace of mind that the charge controller is operating as effectively as it should. On certain applications with long line runs, there can be a difference between the voltage measured at an MPPT/PWM solar charger’s terminals and that measured at the battery terminals. The BVS is the perfect solution by providing a more accurate battery voltage to the controller and allowing it to adjust the charging stage more precisely resulting in overall extension of your battery life.

Installation

Mount the Battery Charger

Never mount the product in areas where there is a risk of gas or dust explosion.
Ensure a secure stand!
The product must be set up and fastened in such a way that it cannot tip over or fall down.
Do not expose the product to any heat source (such as direct sunlight or heating). Avoid additional heating of the product.
Set up the product in a dry location protected from splashing water.

Location Considerations

The battery charger can be installed horizontally as well as vertically.
The battery charger must be installed in a place that is protected from moisture.
The battery charger may not be installed in the presence of flammable materials.
The battery charger may not be installed in a dusty environment.
The place of installation must be well ventilated. A ventilation system must be available for installations in small, enclosed spaces. The minimum clearance around the battery charger must be at least 5cm.
The device must be installed on a level and sufficiently sturdy surface.

When selecting a location for the DCDC, make sure that the unit is as close as possible to the battery you will be charging (auxiliary battery). The charger may be mounted on the cabin of the vehicle, along a chassis rail, the inner guard of a vehicle, behind the grille or headlight or even on the side of the radiator. However, you want to make sure that the area is not susceptible to moisture or other substances as well as potentially high temperatures. The DCDC would operate best if there is some air flow.

Connecting Temperature Sensor

The temperature sensor will have a green housing connector on one end and a metal probe on the other. Simply align and connect the green housing to the BTS terminal on the DCDC. Place the probe end of the sensor near or on top of the battery to monitor temperature in the area.

Connecting IGN Signal Wire

Connect the positive line to one of green housing ports on the IGN port. You will need to open the wire terminal utilizing the screws on top of the green housing. You will then connect the positive line of the IGN to the ignition circuit.

Standard/Traditional Alternator–has a fixed voltage when charging (Do not connect IGN wire) Smart Alternator—has a controlled charging output based on operating conditions. Variable. (Requires IGN signal wire)

NOTE: There are two ports on the green IGN connector housing. Both ports have a positive polarity, so only one connection is required from either port.

Connecting Battery Voltage Sensor

Connect the Battery Voltage Sensor connector to the BVS port. Connect the positive line to the left side of the green housing and then connect the negative line to the right side of the green housing. You will need to open the wire terminal utilizing the screws on top of the green housing. You will then need to place the bare wire end onto the respective battery terminal for accurate voltage sensing.

Selecting the Battery Type

To change the battery type you will need to press the push button that is located on the PV+ and ALT+ side of the DCDC. The following chart indicates the Battery Type LED .

Note: User mode is an extra feature accessed via App or Monitoring Screen; Future Development

Connect the Battery Charger

Do not reverse the polarity. Reverse polarity of the battery connections can cause injury and damage the device.
Avoid coming into contact with the battery fluid under any circumstances.
Batteries with a cell short circuit should not be charged as explosive gases may form due to the battery overheating.
Be careful not to over-torque the terminals on the DCDC. Over-torquing may cause irreparable damage. Do not exceed 16 N-m / 3.3 ft-lb
Make sure the battery poles are clean when connecting the terminals.
Select a sufficient cross-section for the connection cable.
Tighten the nuts and bolts with proper torque. Loose connections may cause overheating.

For safety, please always connect ground (NEG.-) first and then connect the service battery positive, starting battery positive and PV positive respectively.

Connect a negative power cable to (NEG. -) terminal on the DCDC, and connect the other end to the negative pole of service battery or directly to the chassis.
Connect a positive power cable between (OUT+) terminal on the DCDC, and the positive pole of service battery.
Connect a positive power cable between (ALT+) terminal on the DCDC, and the positive pole of starting battery.
Optional: Only for system setup with Smart Alternator Connect the IGN Signal Wire between Ignition Signal Input port on the DCDC, and the vehicle ignition
Connect a cable between terminals marked PV+ on the DCDC to the PV positive.

Typical Setup

diagram

Note: Be careful not to over-torque the terminals on the DCDC. Over- torquing may cause irreparable damage. Do not exceed 16 N-m / 3.3 ft-lb

Cable and Fuse Sizing

Fusing

Model| Rated Current| Vehicle Input Fuse Rating| Charger Output Fuse Rating
---|---|---|---
DCDC30| 30A| 45A| 40A
DCDC50| 50A| 75A| 65A

Cable sizing

Model| Cable Length (m)| Cable Length (ft)| Recommended Cable Size
---|---|---|---

DCDC30

| 1-5| 3-16| 10-8 AWG
5-9| 16-30| 6-4 AWG

DCDC50

| 1-5| 3-16| 6 AWG
5-9| 16-30| 4 AWG

Operation

Solar Charging Indicator

Color	Status	Description

Red

Service Battery Indicator

Color	Status	Description
Green	ON	Battery Full
Yellow	ON	Battery voltage normal

Red

| ON| Battery under voltage
Slow Flashing| Battery over discharged
Fast Flashing| Battery over voltage/ over temperature

The Charging Indicator may change under the following conditions:

Red to Yellow: When the voltage reaches 12.2V under voltage recovery
Yellow to Red: When the voltage drops to 12.0V under voltage warning
Yellow to Green:
A. When it reaches constant voltage charging state, the charging current is smaller than 3A, lasts for 30 seconds;
B. When the charging current is higher than 3A, it keeps charging until it reaches constant voltage state and the current drops below 3A, lasts 30 seconds.

Alternator/Charging Indicator

Color	Status	Description

Red

| ON| Alternator is charging the service battery
Slow Flashing| PV is charging the starting battery
OFF| Not charging

Battery Type Indicator

Color	Status	Description
Green	ON	SLA (Default)
Yellow	ON	GEL
Red	ON	FLD
Blue	ON	LI
White	ON	User

User mode is an extra feature accessed via App or Monitoring Screen; Future Development

Solar Charge Algorithm

MPPT Technology
The DCDC utilizes Maximum Power Point Tracking technology to extract maximum power from the solar module(s). The tracking algorithm is fully automatic and does not require user adjustment. MPPT technology will track the array’s maximum power point voltage (Vmp) as it varies with weather conditions, ensuring that the maximum power is harvested from the array throughout the course of the day.

Current Boost
In many cases, the MPPT charger will “boost” up the current in the solar system. The current does not come out of thin air. Instead, the power generated in the solar panels is the same power that is transmitted into the battery bank. Power is the product of Voltage (V) x Amperage (A). Therefore, assuming 100% efficiency:
Power In = Power Out
Volts In • Amps In = Volts out• Amps out

Although MPPT chargers 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. The voltage generated at the solar module needs to be stepped down to a rate that could charge the battery in a stable fashion by which the amperage is boosted accordingly to the drop. It is entirely possible to have a solar module generate 8 amps going into the charger and likewise have the charger send 10 amps to the battery bank. This is the essence of the MPPT chargers and their advantage over traditional chargers. In traditional chargers, that stepped down voltage amount is wasted because the charger algorithm can only dissipate it as heat. The following demonstrates a graphical point regarding the output of MPPT technology.

Limiting Effectiveness
Temperature is a huge enemy of solar modules. As the environmental temperature increases, the operating voltage (Vmp) is reduced and limits the power generation of the solar module. Despite the effectiveness of MPPT technology, the charging algorithm will possibly not have much to work with and therefore there is an inevitable decrease in performance. In this scenario, it would be preferred to have modules with higher nominal voltage, so that despite the drop in performance of the panel, the battery is still receiving a current boost because of the proportional drop in module voltage.

Four Charging Stages
The DCDC 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.

table

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. In this stage the battery voltage has not yet reached constant voltage (Equalize or Boost), the charger operates in constant current mode, delivering its maximum current to the batteries (MPPT Charging).

Constant Charging: When the battery reaches the constant voltage set point, the charger will start to operate in constant charging mode, where it is no longer MPPT charging. The current will drop gradually. This has two stages, equalize and boost, and they are not carried out constantly in a full charge process to avoid too much gas precipitation or overheating of the battery.

Boost Charge: Boost stage maintains a charge for 2 hours by default.

Float Charge: After the constant voltage stage, the charger 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 charger 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 charger will no longer be able to maintain the battery to a Float set point and the charger 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 charge, which can stir the electrolyte, balance battery voltage and complete chemical reaction. Equalizing charge increases the battery voltage, higher than the standard complement voltage, which gasifies the battery electrolyte.

Warning: 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.

Four Charging Stages
The charger has a reactivation feature to awaken a sleeping lithium battery. The protection circuit of lithium battery will typically turn the battery off and make it unusable if over-discharged. This can happen when storing a lithium battery pack in a discharged state for any length of time as self- discharge would gradually deplete the remaining charge. Without the wake-up feature to reactivate and recharge batteries, these batteries would become unserviceable and the packs would be discarded. The charger will apply a small charge current to activate the protection circuit and if a correct cell voltage can be reached, it starts a normal charge.

Lithium Battery Activation
The charge controller has a reactivation feature to awaken a sleeping lithium battery. The protection circuit of lithium battery will typically turn the battery off and make it unusable if over-discharged. This can happen when storing a lithium battery pack in a discharged state for any length of time as self-discharge would gradually deplete the remaining charge. Without the wake- up feature to reactivate and recharge batteries, these batteries would become unserviceable and the packs would be discarded. The charge controller will apply a small charge current to activate the protection circuit and if a correct cell voltage can be reached, it starts a normal charge.

Troubleshooting

Do not open the device. You risk exposing yourself to an electric shock by doing this.
If you have detailed questions about the battery charger, please contact our customer support (addresses on the back of the instruction manual).

Solar Charging Indicator	Troubleshoot
OFF	Ensure that the Solar Panel is not being shaded (by a tree etc.) Verify

the Solar Panel voltage is higher than 15V threshold with a multi-meter and check the electric connections.
Service Battery Indicator|
Solid Red| Turn off any loads connected to the battery and recharge battery to a good SOC
Fast Flashing Red| Verify the service battery being used is a 12V unit.

Ensure the place for battery installation is well ventilated. Avoid additional heating of the battery.

Disconnect all loads and chargers from the battery and allow battery temperature to decrease to operational specifications

Slow Flashing Red| Check fuses are intact and properly connected. Check the cable connections.

Turn off any loads connected to the battery and recharge battery to a good SOC.

Alternator Indicator|
OFF| Ensure the engine is running.

If using a traditional alternator, verify the alternator input voltage is higher than 13.2V threshold with a multi-meter.

If using a smart alternator, verify the alternator input voltage is higher than 12V threshold with a multi-meter. Also verify the IGN Signal Wire is connected.

Check fuses are intact and properly connected. Check the cable connections.

Technica l Specification

Product	RBC30D1S	RBC50D1S
System Voltage	12VDC
Battery Voltage Range	9~16VDC
Maximum Charging Current	30A	50A
Battery Type	SLA, GEL, FLD, LI, USER
Service Battery Charging Mode	MPPT
Charging Efficiency	Up to 97%
Max. Solar Input Voltage	25V
Max. Solar Input Power	400W	660W
Alternator Input Voltage	Traditional Alternator: 13.2-16VDC Smart Alternator

Battery Charging Parameters

Battery Type| SEALED/AGM| GEL| FLOODED| LI (LFP)| USER
---|---|---|---|---|---
Over-voltage Warning| 16 V| 16 V| 16 V| 16 V| 9~17V
Charging Limit Voltage| 15.5 V| 15.5 V| 15.5 V| 15.5 V| 9~17V
Over-voltage Recover| 15 V| 15 V| 15 V| 15 V| 9~17V
Boost Charge Voltage| 14.6 V| 14.2 V| 14.6 V| 14.4 V| 9~17V
Float Charge Voltage| 13.8 V| 13.8 V| 13.8 V| —–| 9~17V
Equalization Voltage| —–| —–| 14.8 V| —–| 9~17V
Boost Return Voltage| 13.2 V| 13.2 V| 13.2 V| 13.2 V| 9~17V
Under Voltage Warning| 12V| 12V| 12V| 12.1V| 9~17V
Under Voltage Recover| 12.2V| 12.2V| 12.2V| 12.3V| 9~17V
Over-discharge Warning| 11.1V| 11.1V| 11.1V| 11.1V| 9~17V
Over-discharge Recover| 12.6 V| 12.6 V| 12.6 V| 12.6 V| 9~17V
Boost Duration| 2 hours| 2 hours| 2 hours| —–| 0-120min
Equalization interval| —–| —–| 28 days| —–| 0-30 Days
Equalization Duration| —–| —–| 2 hours| —–| 0-120min

Note: User mode is an extra feature accessed via App or Monitoring Screen; Future Development

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. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Renogy

2775 E Philadelphia St, Ontario, CA 91761, USA
909-287-7111
www.renogy.com
support@renogy.com