Replace Renogy Rover 40a with Victron 100/50?

[BoonieBasher]

To avoid confusion, I have 2 RV projects going, a 5th wheel 1200w/560ah and a Lance 400a/200ah system.

Questions here are for the Lance 200/200.

Are Renogy SCC as bad as some say?
If so, I'm considering replacing the Renogy 40a with a Victron 100/50 (possible addition of another 200w PV w/Vmp 37.6v).
I have a Victron 300a Smart Shunt that'll be installed.

How critical is proximity of the SCC to the batteries?
Current setup is 6 - 8' but considering moving the controller to within a foot or so. Any benefit to that?

Hit me with a good option for a breaker/disconnect for PV - SCC please.

P.S. FWIW Victron price on Amazon is +46% in a month.

 

[justinm001]

Unless Renogy or another SCC is way way cheaper than Victron I wouldn't even think about it. Victron just works.

Victron can use the shunt voltage to adjust for the cable length so the SCC distance doesn't really matter. I'm not sure if its all models or just some but you don't need a CerboGX since it uses that wireless comm they have (forgot the name)_

Check other sources than Amazon. With these tariffs I'm sure a ton of people are ordering and sellers use smart pricing to up the price. With Amazon you can't go out of stock or you lose rankings and all kinds of issues so most sellers keep increasing prices to keep their inventory as it takes like 30 days for FBA to add inventory and thats once they get it.

 

[BoonieBasher]

Unless Renogy or another SCC is way way cheaper than Victron I wouldn't even think about it. Victron just works.

Victron can use the shunt voltage to adjust for the cable length so the SCC distance doesn't really matter. I'm not sure if its all models or just some but you don't need a CerboGX since it uses that wireless comm they have (forgot the name)_

Check other sources than Amazon. With these tariffs I'm sure a ton of people are ordering and sellers use smart pricing to up the price. With Amazon you can't go out of stock or you lose rankings and all kinds of issues so most sellers keep increasing prices to keep their inventory as it takes like 30 days for FBA to add inventory and thats once they get it.

Renogy is already in place so Victron would be a replacement. Have never used the Renogy since it was in when I bought the Lance last Fall and have it in the shop for maintenance.

Good news with the shunt in concert with the VSCC. {Victron Connect BT App)
I'll buy from CC most likely. Many things Amazon, some not.

Next question: wondering about heat sink on the back of the Renogy (and others?). It basically surface mounts, so little to no clearance in the rear for the controller heat sink. Evidently not a concern? That might determine how I mount the SCC.

Thanks.

 

[HRTKD]

Any solar charge controller with a heat sink should be mounted in the orientation recommended in the manual. In other words, vertical. Some ventilation of the compartment is helpful.

The closer the solar charge controller is to the shunt, the better the charging. It also helps to have the shunt as close to the battery as possible. Reducing wire run length is always good.

I have no Renogy gear and I generally recommend against it. In the 2020/2021 timeframe, Renogy got a bad name due to poor quality and even worse support. If someone gave me free Renogy gear, I wouldn't use it in my camper. Maybe in something that isn't critical.

 

[justinm001]

Renogy is already in place so Victron would be a replacement. Have never used the Renogy since it was in when I bought the Lance last Fall and have it in the shop for maintenance.

Good news with the shunt in concert with the VSCC. {Victron Connect BT App)
I'll buy from CC most likely. Many things Amazon, some not.

Next question: wondering about heat sink on the back of the Renogy (and others?). It basically surface mounts, so little to no clearance in the rear for the controller heat sink. Evidently not a concern? That might determine how I mount the SCC.

Thanks.

I don't trust renogy but with Victron they have fine as heatsinks and temp sensors to derate the scc. I even got an alert that the wire temp was too hot and it shut down once, learned one little strand of wire wasn't in the lug and was arcing but not enough to blow a fuse.

 

[BoonieBasher]

Any solar charge controller with a heat sink should be mounted in the orientation recommended in the manual. In other words, vertical. Some ventilation of the compartment is helpful.

I'm configuring the OEM LPG tank compartment (2 tanks) for my new setup. The door is vented, as is the OEM battery compartment, but it was 1 battery only, no additional equipment. I'll look into minimizing any moisture ingress on wet travel days (few and far between).

I have 3/4" x 1" diameter rubber feet I'll use to offset the controller from the back wall of the compartment for air flow (as opposed to having heat sink fins within a mm of the wall (hard plastic).

The closer the solar charge controller is to the shunt, the better the charging. It also helps to have the shunt as close to the battery as possible. Reducing wire run length is always good.

Everything will be close for sure. 2 12v 100ah LiPo4, 2 bus bars, 300a Victron Shunt, Victron 100/50. PV disconnect will go in the closet where the Renogy 40A currently resides so should be easy to wire up. Disco might fit with the rest, we will see.
If I do this right, there could be space remaining for an inverter, but I have no plans for one since I carry a Honda 2200i for the rare occasion I need 120v.

I have no Renogy gear and I generally recommend against it. In the 2020/2021 timeframe, Renogy got a bad name due to poor quality and even worse support. If someone gave me free Renogy gear, I wouldn't use it in my camper. Maybe in something that isn't critical.

Good to know and I'll be comfortable spending a few bucks for peace of mind.

Thanks folks!

 

[Whinny]

Rover controllers are made by SRNE. I have been responsible for the purchase of 20 or so over the years. All are working fine.....
It's interesting to note some of their critics have never had any personal experience with them.
The 40 in my current trailer runs in the high 30 amp charge rate with no noticeable heat.
No need to space it out-being closer increases the chimney effect on passive heatsinks.

 

[HRTKD]

No need to space it out-being closer increases the chimney effect on passive heatsinks.

Good point.

 

[BoonieBasher]

Rover controllers are made by SRNE. I have been responsible for the purchase of 20 or so over the years. All are working fine.....

Good to hear. Not a critical power situation should it underperform or even fail. Just camping now and then and low demand.

It's interesting to note some of their critics have never had any personal experience with them.
The 40 in my current trailer runs in the high 30 amp charge rate with no noticeable heat.

No need to space it out-being closer increases the chimney effect on passive heatsinks.

Whooda thunk..
Now I know.

Thanks.

 

[davesupreme]

been fighting w/Renogy for 4 months over warrantee on my DCC50S, they lost it after i returned it and now supposedly have sent a new one 4 times .... i wouldn't buy renogy if they were the last company on earth .... replaced w/a 100/50, it's working great and much more controllable/programable .....