My solar charge controller (Renogy Rover Elite) developed a problem whereby it was quietly beeping and the PV voltage was displaying (and measured with a multimeter at the controller terminals) about 15V instead of the expected 30+V, and the amps was displayed as zero, even though the battery was receiving a charge at about the expected level. After doing all the normal troubleshooting steps (effectively turning off and on again!) I decided I don't trust that it 100% won't burst into flames, so I'm in the market for a replacement.
I decided I want a 30A controller since in my experience I rarely, if ever, exceed 30A, and I wanted a "name" brand, not an aliexpress special. Obviously, the main two brands are Renogy and Victron (with others like Rich, or Epever, but they are less readily available)
I always considered Renogy to be the equivalent of a KIA ... not the very best, but it will get the job done at a reasonably low price. And Victron as the Cadillac of electronics ... top quality, possibly over engineered, and definitely overpriced.
So I was surprised to discover that a 30A solar charge controller from Victron is $128 with Bluetooth included, and from Renogy its $140 without Bluetooth!
I never thought it would happen, but tomorrow, I expect to have a "Blue (RAL 5012)"* colored box on my electric panel.
(* The color is actually in the Victron spec sheet!)
I decided I want a 30A controller since in my experience I rarely, if ever, exceed 30A, and I wanted a "name" brand, not an aliexpress special. Obviously, the main two brands are Renogy and Victron (with others like Rich, or Epever, but they are less readily available)
I always considered Renogy to be the equivalent of a KIA ... not the very best, but it will get the job done at a reasonably low price. And Victron as the Cadillac of electronics ... top quality, possibly over engineered, and definitely overpriced.
So I was surprised to discover that a 30A solar charge controller from Victron is $128 with Bluetooth included, and from Renogy its $140 without Bluetooth!
I never thought it would happen, but tomorrow, I expect to have a "Blue (RAL 5012)"* colored box on my electric panel.
(* The color is actually in the Victron spec sheet!)
