RICH SOLAR 30A PWM SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER USER MANUAL
Model: RS-PWM30PF
This manual contains important safety and operating instructions for the solar charge controller. Please read this manual and follow the instructions exactly.
Congratulations!
You have made an excellent choice by purchasing this high-quality RICH SOLAR PWM solar controller, manufactured to the highest standards of performance, quality, and safety. RICH SOLAR wants you to be completely satisfied with your purchase; this solar controller comes with a 2-year warranty.
If you require technical support regarding this product, please call [phone] 1-800-831-9889 or email [email] support@richsolar.com.
Claims for faulty products within the 2-year warranty period will be repaired or replaced free of charge, provided you present valid proof of purchase (keep your receipt).
Version And Ratings: This is a standard version of the RICH SOLAR 12V 30A PWM controller, rated for a 12V solar panel (Max. 25V) and a maximum output current of 30A.
⚠️ WARNING
Risk of explosive gases: Working in the vicinity of a lead-acid battery is dangerous. Explosive gases develop during normal battery operation. Ensure there is enough ventilation to release the gases. It is important to always read this manual and follow the instructions exactly before using or connecting your solar controller.
- Make sure to connect the red wire to the positive terminal on the battery and the black wire to the negative.
- Please double-check before connecting. Connecting to the wrong terminals may burn out the controller.
- Confirm that the power wires are tightened to the correct torque to avoid excessive heating from loose connections.
- Refer to the battery specifications and exercise caution to avoid short-circuiting the battery connections.
- Accidental 'shorting' of the terminals or wiring can result in sparks, causing personal injury or a fire hazard. It is recommended to cover the solar panel(s) with a soft cloth to block all incoming light during installation. This will ensure no damage is caused to the Solar Panel or Battery if the wires are accidentally short-circuited.
- Always install a battery fuse on each circuit, including the solar controller.
Features And Advantages
- PWM technology, switching control by MOSFET
- Common positive grounding connection
- High efficiency and low power consumption
- Battery type setting and battery condition indication
- Smart charging control
- Charging time management
- LED indication for battery condition and charging status
- Digital display of charging parameters and battery settings
- Automatically activates Lithium battery against BMS protection
- Thermal protection
- Over-voltage protection, short-circuit protection, reverse polarity protection
- No sparks
- The thinnest and compact design
- Corrosion-resistant terminals and connectors
- Conformal coating supplied to the inside board against moisture
- Includes a port for an external battery temperature sensor (BTS – optional)
- Compatible with most rechargeable lead-acid batteries, including Flooded (WET), AGM, GEL, Calcium, and Lithium batteries
- Designed to meet UL1741, CE standards and comply with EMC and FCC regulations
Installation
Surface Mount
The quickest and easiest way to mount the unit is to remove the front cover and use the supplied screws to secure it to a flat surface.
Diagram Description: Visual shows the front panel being detached, revealing mounting points, and then being re-attached to a surface with screws.
Flush Mount
Before using this mounting method, ensure sufficient depth behind the controller or in the cavity. The required cutout dimensions are 144.0mm (5.7 inches) by 88.0mm (3.5 inches). The overall unit dimensions are 158.0mm (6.2 inches) by 88.0mm (3.5 inches).
Diagram Description: Visual shows a wall panel with a cutout, a mounting bracket being inserted, and the controller unit being attached to the bracket.
Wiring Connections
The Solar Controller has 4 terminals clearly marked 'Solar' and 'Battery'. Each circuit has a (12V) and ground (GND) terminal. Please cover the solar panel before connecting cables. The Solar Controller will start working automatically once connections are completed.
Diagram Description: Wiring diagram shows the controller's rear panel with terminals labeled 'Solar', 'Battery', 'Remote', and 'Temp. Sensor'. Wires with fuses are connected from a BATTERY (positive and negative) to the 'Battery' terminals. Wires are also shown connecting to a REMOTE DISPLAY and a TEMP. SENSOR.
Operation - LCD Display
Check your battery manufacturer's specifications to select the correct battery type. The unit supports 8+1 battery types: LCO, LTO, LFP, Crystal (Lead crystal), GEL, AGM, WET (Conventional flooded lead-acid), and Calcium (Calcium-Alloy Grid), plus Custom setting via App.
Press and hold the BATT. TYPE button for 3 seconds to enter battery type selection mode. The selected type will be shown on the LCD. The default is LFP Battery, and the controller memorizes your selection.
LiFePO4 on LCD indicates Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP). LTO indicates Lithium Titanate Oxide. LCO is recommended for 3-series Lithium Cobalt Oxide.
Self-Qualify Mode: Upon powering on, the unit runs a self-qualify mode showing: '8888' (segment test), '8.888' (software version test), and '88.888.8 A' (rated voltage and current test) before charging.
Battery Type Selection Display: The LCD shows different voltage values for each battery type during selection, e.g., 14.00V, 12.60V, 14.20V, 14.10V, 14.20V, 14.90V, 14.70V, 14.70V, 14.40V. Press the AMP/VOLT button to confirm, or it confirms automatically after 3 seconds.
Parameter Display for Battery or Solar Side
After settings are complete, the controller enters charging. The LCD displays solar input or battery charging parameters. Press AMP/VOLT to cycle through solar input voltage, current, power, kWh, battery voltage, charging current, charged capacity (Amp-hour), and battery temperature (if sensor connected).
Battery voltage can be displayed in Celsius or Fahrenheit by pressing BATT. TYPE.
The display shows voltage and 'FULL' when the battery is fully charged.
An LCD bar visually monitors battery charge percentage (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) and roughly matches charging stages (Soft-start, Bulk, Absorption, Float).
The LCD can also function as an independent voltage meter or thermometer at night.
Charging Stages
Diagram Description: A graph illustrates charging stages: Diagnose, Soft-Start, Bulk, Absorption, Equalization, and Float, showing how Voltage and Current change over time.
Diagnose: Only for Lithium battery type. Checks initial voltage to determine Soft-start or Bulk charge. If protected by BMS, it sends periodic signals to activate BMS.
Soft Charge: When batteries are over-discharged, the controller ramps voltage up to 10V.
Bulk Charge: Maximum current charging until the battery reaches the Absorption level.
Absorption Charge: Constant voltage charging when the battery is over 85% capacity. Full charge is completed after this stage for lead-acid, LiFePO4, and LTO batteries. Absorption voltages: 14.2V for LiFePO4, 14.0V for LTO, 12.6V for LCO.
Equalization Charge: Only for WET or Calcium battery types. Runs when battery is deeply drained below 10V or every 28 days. It equalizes internal cells and complements capacity loss. LCO, Crystal, LiFePO4, LTO, GEL, and AGM batteries do not use Equalization charge.
Float Charge or Restart Charge: Battery is fully charged and maintained at a safe level. A fully charged lead-acid battery (Crystal, GEL, AGM, WET, Calcium) is over 13.6V. If voltage drops to 12.7V in float mode, it returns to Bulk charge. Lithium batteries stop charging after Absorption. They restart to bulk charge if voltage drops below 12.0V (LCO), 13.0V (LTO), or 13.3V (LFP).
LED Indication
Normal Charge
| LED indications | ||||||
| LED Color | GREEN | BLUE | WHITE | WHITE | WHITE | WHITE |
| Soft-Start | ON | FLASH | FLASH | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Bulk charge | ON | ON | ON | FLASH | OFF | OFF |
| Absorption / Equalization charge | ON | ON | ON | ON | ON | FLASH |
| Float charge | ON | OFF | ON | ON | ON | ON |
Abnormal Charge
| Abnormal Condition | LCD display | LED indication | LCD backlight |
| Solar panel abnormal mode | |||
| Solar panel weak (<15V) | [icon] Flash [icon] ON | ON | |
| Solar panel reverse connection | =P-01 | [icon] Flash [icon] Flash | Flash |
| Solar panel over voltage (> 25V) | =P-02 | [icon] Flash [icon] Flash | Flash |
| Abnormal Condition | LCD display | LED indication | LCD backlight |
| Battery abnormal mode | |||
| Solar panel connected, battery disconnected | =6-01 | [icon] Flash | Flash |
| Battery reverse connection | =6-02 | [icon] Flash | Flash |
| Battery over voltage (> 17V) | =6-03 | [icon] Flash [icon] Flash [icon] Flash [icon] Flash | Flash |
| Battery temperature over 65°C/149°F | =6-04 | [icon] Flash [icon] Flash [icon] Flash [icon] Flash | Flash |
| Controller over-temperature protection fault | OГP | [icon] Flash [icon] ON | Flash |
Note: The 'LED indications' column with dots represents multiple LEDs. The specific pattern of dots indicates the state.
Specifications
Electrical Parameters
| Rated solar panel current | Max. 30 AMP |
| Normal PV input voltage | Max. 15-22 VDC |
| Max. PV input voltage (Output has no load) | Max. 25 VDC |
| Min. Operating Voltage (Solar or Battery Side) | Min. 8 VDC |
| Rated charging current | Max. 30 AMP |
| Max. voltage drop from panel to battery | Max. 0.25 VDC |
| Standard current consumption at night | Max. 10 mA |
Charging Characteristics
| Min. battery start charging voltage | Min. 3 VDC |
| Soft-start charging voltage range | 3-10 ±0.2 VDC |
| Soft-start charging current | Max. 15 AMP |
| Bulk charge | Max. 30 AMP |
| Absorption charging voltage at 25°C/77°F | |
| --LCO battery | 12.6 ±0.2 VDC |
| --LTO battery | 14.0 ±0.2 VDC |
| --LFP battery (default setting) | 14.2 ±0.2 VDC |
| --GEL type battery | 14.1 ±0.2 VDC |
| --AGM type battery | 14.4 ±0.2 VDC |
| --WET type battery | 14.7 ±0.2 VDC |
| --Crystal battery | 14.7 ±0.2 VDC |
| --Calcium battery | 14.9 ±0.2 VDC |
| --Custom setting range for absorption charge | 13.2-15.5 ±0.2 VDC |
| Absorption transits to Equalization or Float/Stop condition: | |
| --Charging current drops to | 1.5 ±0.1 AMP |
| --or Absorption charging timer timed out for Lead-acid battery | 4 Hour |
| --or Absorption charging timer timed out for Lithium battery | 0.5 Hour |
| Equalization charging activation (Only for WET or Calcium battery) | |
| --Battery voltage discharged less than | 10 ±0.2 VDC |
| --Automatic equalization charging periodical | 28 Day |
| --Custom setting for automatic equalization charging period | 0-100 Day |
| Equalization charging voltage at 25°C/77°F | 15.5 ±0.2 VDC |
| Equalization charging timer timed out | 2 Hour |
| Equalization charging voltage range for CUSTOM setting | 13.2-16.2 ±0.2 VDC |
| Custom setting for Equalization time range | 5-500min |
| Float voltage (for Crystal, GEL, WET, AGM and Calcium battery) at 25°C/77°F | 13.6 ±0.2 VDC |
| -- Custom setting range for Float charge | 13.0-14.0 ±0.2 VDC |
| Restart voltage | |
| -- for Crystal, GEL, WET, AGM and Calcium battery | 12.7 ±0.2 VDC |
| -- for LCO battery | 12.0 ±0.2 VDC |
| -- for LTO battery | 13.0 ±0.2 VDC |
| -- for LFP battery | 13.3 ±0.2 VDC |
| -- CUSTOM setting range for restart voltage | 12.5-13.5 ±0.2 VDC |
| Voltage control accuracy | ± 1 % |
| Battery temperature compensation coefficient | -24 mv/°C |
| Temperature compensation range | -20~50°C/-4~122°F |
Physical Parameters
| Controller material | Plastic (PC) |
| Mounting | Surface or Flush mounting |
| IP grade | IP22 |
| Net weight | Approx. 300 g / 0.66 lb |
Environmental Characteristics
| Operating temperature | -25~50°C / -13~122°F |
| Storage temperature | -25~50°C / -13~122°F |
| Operating Humidity range | 0-85% RH |
Remarks: The custom settings are realized by RICH SOLAR App.
Download The App
Option 1: Scan the QR code to be taken directly to the "RICH SOLAR" download page (iOS and Android). This QR code can also be found on the front of your device.
Option 2: Search for "RICH SOLAR" on the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
Contact Information
[phone] 1-800-831-9889
[email] support@richsolar.com
[web] www.richsolar.com
[location] 1900 Mountain Ave, Norco, CA 92860
