Voyager 20A PWM

I’ve gone through several solar charge controllers that have failed to meet expectations. I’m running a 12V electric fence charger with a lead acid (small tractor) battery. My math showed that even with average sunlight for my area my 20W solar panel should keep the battery charged but I’d end up having to take the battery back to my shop at least twice a week to charge it... then I switch to this charge controller. I’ve had it in service for 2 weeks now with the same solar panel and battery as before and it has kept the battery perfectly charged and once fully charged it floats the battery at 13.8V (exactly right). When the battery discharges at night this controller starts it’s recharge cycle as soon as the sun hits the panel the next morning. It’s Water proof, easy to install and all parameters are plainly visible on the display. I did not install a temperature probe since I’m using a SEL type battery and temperature is usually not as critical as with Li batteries. This works and I do recommend it. Update: I’ve had it in continuous service for a month now and I’ve had a lot of overcast and partly cloudy days but this charge controller has kept the battery charged and the fence fully operational. I have not had to take the battery back to my shop to charge it since I installed this charge controller. It’s very nice to be able to drive up to the corner post and instantly see the solar panel output voltage, actual charge current and battery voltage without opening up the battery box and using a multimeter. Great unit. I’m very happy with it.

Works as expected, powered by a ground placed panel. Operating in parallel with RV rooftop panel and controller.

This thing has worked perfectly all day every day for over a year. It, along with a Renogy Gel AGM hybrid battery and a 100w Renogy solar panel which I use to power a fencer for a remote pasture, were completely submerged in water when the river came over the banks. When the water receded, this thing was all covered in mud and debris. I walked up to it expecting to be out some cash but it was like... What? I got a job to do. Unfortunately, the water proof fencer couldn't handle the weather.

4 stars explained Pros -charging algorithm voltage values are correct as measured with DVM (only flooded, agm and LiFePo4 tested) -LiFePO4 charge voltages can be set by user from 14.2 default to most common values depending on battery manufacturer spec. I use 14.6 volts (new). 2018 version default was 14.4 volts -Completely sealed against elements -When equipped with Temp sensor, will include battery temp on the display rotation (new). Previous version required manually toggling the display -shows input Panel voltage (new). Cons -Battery voltage readings can be inaccurate for all battery types and worsen with temp sensor attached (but solar panel voltage readings OK). -Exchange to get a controller that read accurately resulted in an improvement, but attaching temp sensor again introduced .2v to .4v error. -Battery type selected does not display by default (previous versions did, i.e. Gel, Wet, LiFePo4, AGM) Have to push buttons on new version to go into Select Batt Type menu. -Battery type selection button often unresponsive. -Selecting LiFePo4 charge voltage values sometimes not responsive; if desired value is passed up in scrolling, could not scroll back; had to scroll through full range and couldn't get a response for each push of the button. -Panel and battery connection LEDs no longer present. Loss of an EZ visual status observation, possibly an energy saver. Must wait for status to scroll automatically or must scroll manually through display to see status. --Auto scroll interval too long to see 5 parameters. Two secs per parameter should do it. -Hard reset process discussed with Renogy to clear possible errors not described in manual and might or might not work. (later determined attaching temp sensor caused the incorrect readings) In a nutshell, some of the improvements in this version are welcome and some of the old features are missed. But that isn't the problem. This newer version had inexplicable battery voltage reading errors not present in in 2018 versions I own. Amazon and Renogy were great in trying to get a working replacement, but in the end, decided to abandon that effort in favor of a refund for now. LiFePo4 does not use temp compensated charging as lead acid batteries do. So, when the LiFePO4 battery voltage read spot on, backtracked to see what was different. The difference turned out to be the temperature sensor. I used the sensor for flooded and AGM, but disconnected it for LiFePo4. Attaching it caused a substantial voltage reading error for all battery types that made it impossible to accurately determine battery state of charge. Charge algorithms didn't seem to be affected when measured with an external DVM. Neither of the 2018 versions I own are affected by attaching the temp sensor. One other thing to remember about LiFePo4 batteries is they do not like to "float" at much above 13.6 volts after reaching full charge. This isn't much of a concern in solar charging because charging ceases in the absence of solar energy. Thus there is no real need to have a voltage limited float stage setting after the battery is fully charged and balanced. This is the very first time I've given 4 stars to an item I've been dissatisfied with, but this controller, even with the battery voltage reading issue still offers useful functionality once set up. Use an external monitor if you want accurate voltage readings to monitor state of charge when using with the temperature sensor. Otherwise, I especially like the user defined charging voltages for LiFePO4 as values can vary among LiFePO4 manufacturers. It's important to use the right setting. The temperature sensor addition should only cause the controller to do its job of reducing charging voltages above 77 deg F and increasing charging voltages below 77 deg F where temp compensated charging is necessary. It should NOT affect the accuracy of reading battery voltage. An otherwise 5 star controller gets a "pushed" 4 stars. It does all things well except show acceptable values for temperature compensated flooded and AGM battery voltage. Both the original and the replacement returned to Amazon citing the Renogy case number. If the accuracy of the resting voltage is of utmost importance, then 3 stars.

The lugs are kind of small so going bare wire to them was the only way to mount the wires in both directions. But a very nice little unit for our portable RV application.

I have a battery array in my off-grid cabin to run lights and water pump. My previous controller could never manage the 190 watt solar panel to correctly keep the array charged, and it only kept the array at 11.5 V. I was thinking I may have had a shorted cell or bad battery. With this controller, I now have a full charge on my batteries and power management is totally hands off. Display tells me how many Kw I have available at any time, and power management from either battery or directly from solar panel is automatic. Bonus is that the unit is outdoors so weatherproofing is a bonus!

No matter the situation, renogy sucks! Amazon is of no help, Amazon sucks too! No longer a custom of Amazon or renogy.

Might work well if it read correct battery voltage. Returned first one only to have second, new unit do the same thing after a day of usage. Reading 11 volts when actual is 12, this is making it have an error, and it will not charge when it should be charging. Full sunlight, battery at 12.1 volts, charger refuses to charge.

Works correctly.

Gran producto, lo recomiendo!

Perfect for my needs. 130w solar to my truck battery. Handles road vibration, keeps my battery charged - using only for winters

Funcionó bien hasta que se murió. esperaba que iba durar más de 11 meses. Hay peor productos aquí que duran menos tiempo pero busco algo mejor, la verdad. Creí que Renogy fue una marca más confiable.

VERY nice! Renogy has good products & this one kept my 100A LifePO4 battery topped up every day this summer via a 195W solar panel. I used LED lights, RV roof vent fan & 300W inverter to power my laptop each day.