SRNE 40 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller - Review Update after 4 1/2 Months of Use

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Given some real-world testing, a brief update video on how the SRNE solar controller I installed back in November is working out. We have been camping almost exclusively off-grid since then, and the SRNE controllers so far have performed well. Thumbs up.
Link to the previous video (Features, Install & Demo) - www.loveyourrv.com/srne-40-am...
More Info at the SRNE Website - www.srnesolar.com/product/mpp...
A detailed look at my current boondocking power systems - www.loveyourrv.com/our-rv-boo...
SRNE 40A MPPt on Amazon - amzn.to/3LAcUA2
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Опубликовано:

30 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 47

@LoveYourRV 2 года назад

*Link to the previous video* (Features, Install & Demo) - www.loveyourrv.com/srne-40-amp-mppt-solar-charger-features-install-demo/ More Info at the SRNE Website - www.srnesolar.com/product/mppt-solar-charge-controller-ml2420 A detailed look at my current boondocking power systems - www.loveyourrv.com/our-rv-boondocking-power-systems-current-state-of-things-2022/

@lawrencedavidson6195 10 месяцев назад

I have the same controller but rebranded as Rich Solar. I have both the 20 amp and the 40 amp. They work very well. Greetings from Jamaica.

@jeffslater3708 2 года назад

Wow, I enjoy the info Ray.

@RVKevin 2 года назад

Great update Ray, having redundacy is a great thing to plan when wiring up solar in the rig.

@garyaltenburger6667 4 месяца назад

Partly because of your review, have ordered a 40A controller. The price was a little less than a hundred dollars. I will be using it on two 250 watt panels connected in series. At present I am using a PWM controller that is doing a very poor job.

@LoveYourRV 4 месяца назад

It worked well for me, I have since upgraded to a 60 amp that is built by SRNE for a different company brand and working well, also use their 50 amp DC-DC charger with MPPT with good results. They seem to make good stuff. If you want to use an app with it you can get the Bluetooth dongle here - www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804400967653.html Cheers, Ray

@garyaltenburger6667 4 месяца назад

Thanks for that information.

@samartz 10 месяцев назад

Cant wait to buy!

@jimbertrand2499 2 года назад

Thanks for the update Ray. Looks a lot like a Renogy 40A controller in a different colour...

@captainsalmonslayer 2 года назад

It is, Renogy and Rich just rebrand them.

@timf6916 2 года назад

Good information

@Richo435a Год назад

Hi Ray. I was hunting for some info on my 40A "Kickass" (Australian Direct) regulator and I found your channel. I am now a subscriber. I love your RV and set up. I have the Kickass version of the same regulator and it is even the same colour unlike the Renogy and others. I am running Lithium battery in my caravan and need to do a recalibration of the Li battery so I need to run it down to below 11.5v so the BMS will recalibrate. I will then need to fully charge the battery at 14.6v (manufacturers advice) not the 14.4v in the Li setting mode of the regulator. I was wondering if you have ever tried to change the Li settings. Thanks and keep the Rays shining. 😁

@LoveYourRV Год назад

Thanks. :) Yes I have tried the default lithium setting and the User customizable setting both have worked fine. Cheers, Ray

@elmer665544 2 года назад

Thanks for the update. Looks just like the Renogy 40a MPPT controller. When I over powered it with 600w it also maxed out at 40a. Keep up the good work!!!

@jeremywylie2936 2 года назад

It is the same. Renogy gets snre to make their units.

@alishabab3 8 месяцев назад

What do you think the effiecancy is like compared to say a victron controller

@LoveYourRV 8 месяцев назад

I haven't measured scientifically, and I only have a small 15 amp Victron as a comparison, so it's hard to say. My gut feeling is they are pretty close. The manual claims: MPPT Tracking Efficiency >99% Max. Charging Conversion Efficiency ≤98%

@randalllarsen3848 Год назад

I have the same controller set on lithium batteries. I never seem to charge over 13.5 volts . I thought the setup on these batteries was up to 14.2-4.4 volts input. Does your system have the same limit or can you get batteries to charge higher. I have 4 Battleborn batteries that seem restricted and fall off quickly during desert camping. When I’ve been camping with 110 v to charge them up the system stays up past 13.5 for a long time . Any help?

@LoveYourRV Год назад

Yes, when my lithium batteries are nearing full charge or are fully charged by the solar controller set to LI mode I read about 14.4V on the battery terminals. If I turn off the solar input that drops right away to 13.4V to 13.6V and that is normal. About 13.3-13.6V would be the normal resting voltage for the lithium batteries at full charge and not being charged or discharge by anything. If you are plugged into shore power your likely reading the converter charger voltage that's why it stays up in voltage for so long. Not seeing 14.4V likely means that solar input power hasn't fully charged your the 4 battery bank or your solar controller is misadjusted or defective. Cheers, Ray

@DennisWintjes2 2 года назад

Thanks Ray. Like #56, view 290

@argelcruz629 9 месяцев назад

Hi Ray, Why parallel connection on the solar panel?, I have four pcs. of 120W in series connection.

@LoveYourRV 9 месяцев назад

A couple reasons. 1) In spring and fall I often find myself camping in thickly forested sites in the BC. Having the panels in parallel helps when only a few may be in full sun while others are completely shaded. When wired in series a few shaded panels can have a dramatic effect on power harvest in those conditions. 2) My rig is roof isn't flat it's sloped front to back so during the winter when the sun angle is lower some panels have more sun on them then others, if all were in series the ones with little sun on them would affect the ones with good sun on them reducing the overall output. So I find for my use case parallel works better I just have to make sure to have large enough gauge wire to transfer the power, so was a bit more upfront cost for the extras copper. Cheers, Ray

@argelcruz629 9 месяцев назад

@@LoveYourRV, I see, nice setup you have there, I've been also using the SRNE 40ah in my home for a month now, I was checking some review on maximum wattage it can handle, my plan is 8 pcs. of 120 watts, total of 960W, 4 pcs in each parallel connection, my concern if there's a over heating issue if I will do this setup.

@LoveYourRV 9 месяцев назад

Yes, the max for a 12V battery system according to the manual is 550 watts and 24V system 1100W. I have 940 watts on the RV roof so I've been using 2 of the SRNE 40 amp controllers. One has my 4 rear mounted panels total 540W and the other has my 4 front panels total 400W. They run pretty cool. I also have their 50 amp DC-DC MPPT charger, see here www.loveyourrv.com/testing-out-an-srne-50-amp-dc-dc-charger-mppt-solar-controller-combo/ I use it for DC-DC charging when towing and charging at camp with ground panels Haven't had any problems with over heating with my setup.

@argelcruz629 9 месяцев назад

Nice, thank you. . .@@LoveYourRV

@NLJ1953 Год назад

Mine has a RS232 port (RJ45) what can i do with that. Im assuming it may connect to a laptop program, but who knows?

@LoveYourRV Год назад

Should be able to use it to add the BT1 Bluetooth App dongle www.srnesolar.com/product/bt-1-2 www.srnesolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/BT-1-2-Instructions.pdf

@aguyandhiscomputer 2 года назад

Would there be any benefit to putting the front panels on one controller and the rear panels on another? Edit: Nevermind, I see I wasn't paying attention. Shouldn't be watching at work :)

@jetfu400 2 года назад

will this work without a battery? will it even turn on? can you put a light in the charging of this without a battery.

@LoveYourRV 2 года назад

No, the battery is needed to power the solar controller. When you power up the controller you connect the battery first then the solar panels. The load terminals are there to control a load up to 20 amps even when the panels aren't producing amps or at night. A typical use case would be to run some lights after sundown or use as a timer to power something. Cheers, Ray

@jetfu400 2 года назад

@@LoveYourRV i mean, even if you put the solar panel on first? will it turn on? will there be an output? I will try to experiment on something but i need to find out first.

@jetfu400 2 года назад

@@LoveYourRV I'm trying to ditch the battery. using only the scc and the output is directly to the inverter. I'm trying to find out how i can do that as some of the hybrid scc with inverters as some "MPP solar" brands are capable of doing that.

@LoveYourRV 2 года назад

When a company builds all on one unit like that hybrid they are able to make the solar controller and inverter work together since they designed and build both and likely have interconnected monitoring circuits and chips to make it work so neither the solar controller nor inverter is harmed when the power fluctuates due to clouds or the inverter load is too high or spikes This SRNE is just an MPPT solar controller. The hybrids you mention are built to handle much larger solar inputs as well. Even a little 1000W inverter can draw 85 amps. That's why having a battery is the best way to go, it will regulate the power draw.

@alanbrown7155 7 месяцев назад

Hello there, I have just received my unit today 40a Srne, does anyone know the settings for 12v lithium ion phosphate battery's. I'm just worried about the equalization destroying my batterys. The settings would be great. Thank you.

@LoveYourRV 7 месяцев назад

Use the Li battery parameter preset. In the Li setting there will be no equalization. See the manual www.srnesolar.com/userfiles/files/2023/07/18/SR-ML24203040%20&%20ML2420-RS485_User%20Manual_V1.06.pdf Cheers, Ray Under any interface other than load modes, press and hold the Set key to enter into the parameter setting interface. After entering into the setting interface, tap the Set key to switch the menu for setting, and tap the Up or Down key to increase or decrease the parameter value in the menu. Then tap the Return key to exit (without saving parameter setting), or press and hold the Set key to save setting and exit.

@alanbrown7155 7 месяцев назад

@@LoveYourRV The lithium ion presets won't let you change settings in the menu. So if I go into the (user) setting I can change settings to what I want but the equalization setting is still in the user menu, it won't let you turn it off. I have even tried turning it off using the Bluetooth app but it won't let you change it in any other setting bar the user setting. Thanks for getting back to me ok bud. Cheer's.

@LoveYourRV 7 месяцев назад

In the manual user defined has a setting for "equalizing charging interval". 5.2 Battery Type Default Parameters (parameters set in monitor software) It says if you set it for 0 it closes the equalization charging, translation I imagine is stops or disables. The other option is just to chose a lower equalization voltage, say to 13.6V Maybe one of those setting will work.

@alanbrown7155 7 месяцев назад

@@LoveYourRV ok thanks bud, I will try it. Cheers bud.

@dirtroadsailing6418 2 года назад

Just curious, what is the most "panel rated" watts you've ever put on one controller, and how far over the rated current was that?

@LoveYourRV 2 года назад

940 watts. in ideal conditions and not taking into account wire and electronic conversion losses with an MPPT controller that could deliver in the neighborhood of 75 charging amps to a 12V battery system. The max-rated output charging current is 40 amps. Panel amps will be regulated down so that the output doesn't go above 40 amps. Even less if the temps get extreme Here was the torture test video I did in the mid-day summer, 940 watts of panels at over 100F outside ambient temps ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IGdCA_e3nVg.html

@billdperry 2 года назад

Renogy Rover....20, 30, or 40 amp models of MPPT controlers , or Renogy are clones...?

@LoveYourRV 2 года назад

From what I gather SRNE are the actual manufacture and many other brands buy from them.

@wingnutbert9685 2 года назад

@@LoveYourRV So I guess that begs the question: Do other "Name Brand" companies, like Renogy , have SRNE customize the units to their spec's (there for making them unique and possibly better for a given set-up) or are the guts all identical and just the aesthetics changed to match the brands? This is something that's always a concern to me when I see the 'off-brand' units touted as being 'the same' as the big brand models b/c they come from the same manufacturer. All it takes is a cheap cap. or processor chip to let the magic smoke out and suddenly your 'cheaper unit' that's 'identical' is costing you more then a big brand unit. Thanks Ray!

@LoveYourRV 2 года назад

In my first video, I tore this unit apart to have a peek and it looked like it was a pretty good quality build and electronics components but it was sent to me straight from SRNE themselves. I would imagine buyers could order with changes to design if they order enough of a production run to warrant it. Many of the companies just seem to be adding their brand name as a stencil logo on the same case. BougeRV didn't even bother to do that.

@wingnutbert9685 2 года назад

@@LoveYourRV Be interesting to see the guts of one someone bought to see if it's the same. I've always had in the back of my mind whether companies who send out products for free, send ones that have been specially made to a higher standard then the usual ones off the assembly line. Hard to say but certainly a possibility these days.👍

@f2c0007 9 месяцев назад

Think before to deal with SRNE company. Very Bad experiance with Sales people , Very bad communication skills and very bad attitude. It's too risky to deal with such people. you can't get support from such people, Internet is full of their companies bad reviews

@LoveYourRV 9 месяцев назад

Sorry to hear that :( since the products have performed well for me. Maybe its better to buy from one of the resellers or dealers to get support.