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Post by mediadogg on Aug 22, 2019 15:25:06 GMT
This has been one of my "go to" places to learn and understand things about batteries. Battery University. |
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raydas
Solar Devotee
Posts: 166
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Post by raydas on Aug 22, 2019 15:32:30 GMT
Thank You, bupkis.
So, if it is upper, = 14V, this would be nice to know. How does the Rover CC know what your battery make is, let alone the float charge requirements. On my battery I did not see any smart chip, that would contain this information, and be able to transfer that information to the CC. Or maybe the Rover CC is now smart enough to determine all this.
OK, so I took a closer look at the manual, and of course I missed the 'Programming Parameters', part. I guess the Rover CC can be set. These are the items - Equalizing voltage, Boost voltage, over-discharge voltage, over-discharge return voltage, float voltage. It has a battery type and system voltage selection also. So, what kinds of settings are the most appropriate. Since I have a 100Ah deep cycle SLA, I will track down the manufacturer and find out what sort of information is available.
Does somebody have a short guide to what the settings really mean and how to apply them to the Rover CC, for the best functionality of the solar system. I did not realize I would have to become a battery expert. When does the plug and play become available for this stuff. :-)
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Post by bupkis on Aug 22, 2019 15:57:15 GMT
set it Sealed and be done with it. As you can see in the manual specs, www.renogy.com/content/Manual/RNG-CTRL-RVR203040.pdfon page 24 to be specific. You did not answer what rover uses for float for your battery type!!!! so the sealed column shows equalize @ 14.6v this is an intentional overcharge monthly for 2 hrs - leave it alone! Boost voltage is the first set pt voltage of 14.4v leave it, this is the constant charging voltage for 2 hrs. Float of  ? typical for sealed/agm batteries. boost retun v, if battery voltage goes below this bulk/boost start over. low voltage reconnect, if the load terminals turn off due to low voltage they turn back on at this voltage if you find you need to change anything see page 16. |
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raydas
Solar Devotee
Posts: 166
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Post by raydas on Aug 22, 2019 16:05:41 GMT
I have the Rover 20A MPPT RS232-USB version, and using the manual that came with that. Hopefully using the manual that you pointed to will be somewhat applicable to my Rover CC. I will compare the two manuals for any subtle differences.
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raydas
Solar Devotee
Posts: 166
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Post by raydas on Aug 22, 2019 16:55:56 GMT
OK, first big surprise, when I use the Rover CC keys to work through LED choices, the only thing the <- and ->, keys do is turn the Load on and off. I tried to find where the battery setting is, but none of the selections are showing this.
Second surprise, when you do use the <- -> keys it seems to affect the RS232-USB, where it is turning off my Gigabyte Brix computer, which is connected to the Rover CC.
So at this point I do not know what battery type the Rover CC is assuming it is charging. Does it make a difference in functionality between charging up a plain lead acid battery vs a deep cycle SLA battery.
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russ
Solar Advocate
Posts: 63
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Post by russ on Aug 22, 2019 17:04:13 GMT
A question for Renogy about how the float state works. Is it providing some current range at a constant rate. Or does it go into idle state, then checks to see if needs some current, then starts charging again. When the charge controller is in float mode, it is a constant voltage charge mode but with a reduced voltage so as to maintain the battery without overcharging it. The voltage level depends upon the battery chemistry and construction. Float voltage should be a level that the battery can withstand for long periods when fully charged. |
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Post by Admin on Aug 22, 2019 17:18:56 GMT
My volt meter is getting a real workout today. It looks like the Load voltage is the same as what the battery voltage is. Meaning, the battery is being charged, it is now at 13V, and the Load voltage is also at 13V. I think I have seen the battery voltage up 14V when getting a boost charge, I think. So far my computer, that is attached, has not blown up on me, yet. It would be nice if the Load would have some kind of regulated voltage, so if the battery gets up to 14V, for a longer period of time, the Load would remain at ~12V-12.5V regulated. I know somebody is going to mention that I put an external DC-DC regulator at the Load terminal, I know a little bit about doing some wiring. Not sure if I could find a DC-DC 12V 15A regulator, that would work in my setup, and then have it wired correctly. So, I can assume that the Rover controller is all about the battery, every function of the controller is to keep the battery charged. Maybe I should start thinking about grabbing the load off the battery directly. Not sure what kind of usage I could do with the Rover Load. The load terminal function is generally designed for lights. Normally loads should be directly connected to your battery bank. -Renogy Team |
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Post by bupkis on Aug 22, 2019 17:42:14 GMT
OK, first big surprise, when I use the Rover CC keys to work through LED choices, the only thing the <- and ->, keys do is turn the Load on and off. I tried to find where the battery setting is, but none of the selections are showing this. Second surprise, when you do use the <- -> keys it seems to affect the RS232-USB, where it is turning off my Gigabyte Brix computer, which is connected to the Rover CC. So at this point I do not know what battery type the Rover CC is assuming it is charging. Does it make a difference in functionality between charging up a plain lead acid battery vs a deep cycle SLA battery. The directions in the manual seem understandable, pressing the correct button and holding it enters program mode, you'll need to follow the directions. As for battery type, I believe SLD is the default but you should be able to see it on the main display in the lower Right. A little battery symbol with SLD!  click to enlarge |
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Post by tattoo on Aug 22, 2019 17:57:01 GMT
The load terminal function is generally designed for lights. Normally loads should be directly connected to your battery bank. -Renogy Team Thank you....................... |
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Post by bupkis on Aug 22, 2019 18:11:40 GMT
My volt meter is getting a real workout today. It looks like the Load voltage is the same as what the battery voltage is. Meaning, the battery is being charged, it is now at 13V, and the Load voltage is also at 13V. I think I have seen the battery voltage up 14V when getting a boost charge, I think. So far my computer, that is attached, has not blown up on me, yet. It would be nice if the Load would have some kind of regulated voltage, so if the battery gets up to 14V, for a longer period of time, the Load would remain at ~12V-12.5V regulated. I know somebody is going to mention that I put an external DC-DC regulator at the Load terminal, I know a little bit about doing some wiring. Not sure if I could find a DC-DC 12V 15A regulator, that would work in my setup, and then have it wired correctly. So, I can assume that the Rover controller is all about the battery, every function of the controller is to keep the battery charged. Maybe I should start thinking about grabbing the load off the battery directly. Not sure what kind of usage I could do with the Rover Load. The load terminal function is generally designed for lights. Normally loads should be directly connected to your battery bank. -Renogy Team yes, some type of street light function BUT folks run their entire small RVs via the load terminals and suggest others do also cuz it meters usage!!! Are you suggesting that a 20A load rating is limited to less than 20A? |
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raydas
Solar Devotee
Posts: 166
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Post by raydas on Aug 22, 2019 18:14:50 GMT
I held down the key, and all that shows is a tiny little flashing battery, with some tiny letters 'FLD'. When I try to change that it keeps popping back up with the 'FLD'.
As for the LCD screen that you show, that does not show up anywhere. I also tried holding the key down for more than a minute, and the screen never showed anything like your little picture. So, a quick press does nothing, and holding it down just shows the flashing 'FLD'. I must have a very old Rover MPPT CC, although I did buy the thing from Renogy, maybe ~ten months ago.
So, I am going to assume I have some antiquated Rover MPPT, which is set for flooded battery type, if that is what the 'FLD' means. I will have to take my 100Ah deep cycle SLA battery off line, and go from there. Now I have to do some research into what my next MPPT CC will be. There has to be some, with more functionality, MPPT CC units that are reasonably priced.
I am sure glad I came to this site for some information, what is next, I am going find out that my panels are only producing 40% of optimum, no matter what position the panel is facing the sun.
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Post by bupkis on Aug 22, 2019 18:18:11 GMT
you need hand holding from tech support, call em
I find this type of programming intuitive, if you do not call for help.
when the FLD is flashing that is when one can change it and then move on to the next screen to change something else.
The screen I showed is never all light up at once but it shows where different item are located on the screen.
Another option is to use the solar monitor software to make changes.
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raydas
Solar Devotee
Posts: 166
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Post by raydas on Aug 22, 2019 18:36:12 GMT
Just for clarification the 'Solar Station Monitor' program only allows you to turn on/off the Load, which I am going to try next, just to see if that works.
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Post by Admin on Aug 22, 2019 18:43:47 GMT
The load terminal function is generally designed for lights. Normally loads should be directly connected to your battery bank. -Renogy Team yes, some type of street light function BUT folks run their entire small RVs via the load terminals and suggest others do also cuz it meters usage!!! Are you suggesting that a 20A load rating is limited to less than 20A? The Load Rating is max 20A for the 20A and above models, and max 10A for the 10A models. In regards to the metering, where else do people suggest they use this? Future development could potentially axe this and leave it as just a work mode only. -Renogy Team |
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Post by Admin on Aug 22, 2019 18:47:58 GMT
I held down the key, and all that shows is a tiny little flashing battery, with some tiny letters 'FLD'. When I try to change that it keeps popping back up with the 'FLD'. As for the LCD screen that you show, that does not show up anywhere. I also tried holding the key down for more than a minute, and the screen never showed anything like your little picture. So, a quick press does nothing, and holding it down just shows the flashing 'FLD'. I must have a very old Rover MPPT CC, although I did buy the thing from Renogy, maybe ~ten months ago. So, I am going to assume I have some antiquated Rover MPPT, which is set for flooded battery type, if that is what the 'FLD' means. I will have to take my 100Ah deep cycle SLA battery off line, and go from there. Now I have to do some research into what my next MPPT CC will be. There has to be some, with more functionality, MPPT CC units that are reasonably priced. I am sure glad I came to this site for some information, what is next, I am going find out that my panels are only producing 40% of optimum, no matter what position the panel is facing the sun. Hold down right arrow for programming mode, then when flashing, select the up and down arrows to manuever through different battery types and chose SLD, then select the right arrow again to go to next program setting. Once done, hold down the right arrow again and confirm. The rover from 10 months ago should still be in line with the manual. www.renogy.com/content/Manual/RNG-CTRL-RVR203040.pdf |
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? typical for sealed/agm batteries.
