Renogy Solar Inverter Charger

Important Safety Instructions

Please save these instructions.

This manual contains all safety, installation and operating instructions for the Solar Inverter Charger. The following symbols are used throughout the manual:

• ⚠️ WARNING: Indicates a potentially dangerous condition. Use extreme caution when performing this task.
• ❗ CAUTION: Indicates a critical procedure for safe and proper operation of the inverter.
• ℹ️ NOTE: Indicates a procedure or function that is important to the safe and proper operation of the inverter.

General Safety Information

• Installation and wiring must comply with the Local and National Electric Codes (NEC) and must be done by a certified technician.
• Read all of the instructions and cautions in the manual before beginning the installation.
• There are no serviceable parts for this inverter. Do NOT disassemble or attempt to repair the inverter.
• Make sure all connections going into and from the inverter are tight. There may be sparks when making connections, therefore, make sure there are not flammable materials or gases near installation.
• DO NOT attempt to touch the unit while it is operating as temperatures will be very hot. In addition, do not open the terminal cover while the unit is in operation.
• Installing breakers or fuses outside of the unit is recommended.
• After installation, check that all line connections are tight and secured.
• DO NOT parallel this device with other AC input sources to avoid damage.

Battery Safety

• Do NOT let the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of the battery touch each other.
• Use Lithium batteries or deep cycle Sealed Lead Acid, Flooded, Gel, AGM batteries.
• Explosive battery gases may be present while charging. Be certain there is enough ventilation to release the gases.
• Be careful when working with large lead acid batteries. Wear eye protection and have fresh water available in case there is contact with the battery acid.
• Over-charging and excessive gas precipitation may damage the battery plates and activate material shedding on them. Too high of an equalizing charge or too long of one may cause damage. Please carefully review the specific requirements of the battery used in the system.

Installation Safety

• The unit should be installed in a well-ventilated, cool, and dry environment. Make sure the fans of the unit and the ventilation holes are not blocked.
• Do not expose the unit to rain, moisture, snow, or liquids of any type.

General Information

The new all-in-one Renogy Solar Inverter Charger is an advanced hybrid system combining the advanced charging algorithm of solar and industrial reliability and electrical energy of pure sine wave inverters to give you a complete power system. The unit features 4 charging modes and 3 output modes to meet an array of application needs. Utilizing the latest MPPT tracking technology, the solar charging module can quickly track the maximum power point of the photovoltaic array in any environment, capturing the maximum energy of solar panels in real time. The AC-DC charging module adopts an advanced control algorithm resulting in a powerful battery charger. The DC-AC inverter module is based on an all-digital intelligent design, using advanced SPWM technology to output pure sine wave converting direct current into alternating current, suitable for ac loads such as household appliances, power tools, and industrial equipment. The product adopts a segment LCD display design, which displays the operating data and operating status of the system. Lastly, the solar inverter charger has comprehensive electronic protections to ensure that the entire system is more secure and stable.

Key Features

• Powerful bypass function with uninterrupted power supply function.
• 4 charging modes: PV Priority, Utility Priority, Hybrid Charging, Only Solar.
• State-of-the-art MPPT technology with efficiency of up to 99.9%.
• Dynamic LCD display and intelligent LEDs providing important system information.
• Manual ON/OFF switch controlling AC output.
• Power saving mode function, reduce empty load loss.
• Adjustable fan, efficient heat dissipation, extending the life of the system.
• Supports lead-acid battery and lithium battery types.
• Complete electronic protection including: short-circuit protection, over-voltage protection, overload protection and more!

Product Overview

Identification of Parts

Diagram showing the front and rear views of the Renogy Solar Inverter Charger with numbered components.

Key Parts

1.

LCD Buttons

2.

Mounting Holes

3.

LCD Screen

4.

LED Indicators

5.

AC Input Breaker

6.

Dry Contact Port

7.

RS485/CAN Communication Port

8.

USB Debugging Port (Internal Use)

9.

AC Input Terminal

10.

AC Output Terminal

11.

Cooling Fans

12.

PV Input Terminal

13.

Main On/Off Power Switch

14.

Battery Input Terminal

15.

Grounding Lug

Dimensions

Diagram showing the external dimensions of the inverter in inches and millimeters. The unit is approximately 16.8 inches (426mm) high, 12.7 inches (322mm) wide, and 4.9 inches (124mm) deep. Mounting hole diameters are also indicated.

Optional Components

Renogy BT-2 Bluetooth Module

The BT-2 Bluetooth module is a great addition to any Renogy charge controllers with a RS485 port and is used to pair charge controllers with the Renogy BT App. After pairing is done you can monitor your system and change parameters directly from your cell phone or tablet. No more wondering how your system is performing, now you can see performance in real time without the need of checking on the controller's LCD.

Installation

Please read this manual carefully and familiarize yourself with the installation procedures before installation.

⚠️ WARNING: Indicates a potentially dangerous condition. Use extreme caution when performing this task.

❗ CAUTION: Indicates a critical procedure for safe and proper operation of the inverter.

ℹ️ NOTE: Indicates a procedure or function that is important to the safe and proper operation of the inverter.

Location Recommendations

⚠️ WARNING: Never install the inverter in a sealed enclosure with flooded batteries. Gas can accumulate and there is a risk of explosion.

Ensure installation follows the following guidelines:

1. Cool, dry, well-ventilated area: Heat is the worst enemy for electronic equipment. Inverters must be in an area where the fans are not blocked or where they are not exposed directly to the sun. They should be in an area free of any kind of moisture and allow for clearance of at least 8” around the unit to provide adequate ventilation.
2. Protection against fire hazard: The unit should be away from any flammable material, liquids, or any other combustible material. The unit can spark and the consequences could be severe.
3. Close proximity to battery bank: Prevent excessive voltage drop by keeping the unit close to the battery bank and having a properly sized wire going from the battery bank to the inverter.
4. ⚠️ WARNING: Do not install the inverter in the same compartment as the battery bank because it could serve as a potential fire hazard.
5. Limiting electromagnetic interference (EMI): Ensure the inverter is firmly grounded to a building, vehicle, or earth grounded. Keep the inverter away from EMI receptors such as TVs, radios, and other audio/visual electronics to prevent damage/interference to the equipment.

Other Precautions

• When installing the battery, be very careful, when installing lead-acid liquid batteries, you should wear protective glasses, once in contact with battery acid, please wash with water in time.
• Avoid placing metal objects near the battery to prevent short circuits in the battery.
• Acid gas may be generated when the battery is charged so ensure good ventilation around the environment.
• Incorrect or improper connection points and corroded wires can cause great heat to melt the wire insulation, burning surrounding materials, and even cause fire, so ensure that the connection is tightened.
• It is best to avoid mobile applications when the wire shakes and cause the connection head loose.
• Outdoor installation should avoid direct sunlight and rain, snow.
• Do not install the solar inverter in harsh environments such as damp, greasy, flammable and explosive areas or where dust accumulation is high.
• The municipal electrical input and AC output are high voltage, do not touch the wiring.
• Do not touch the unit when the fan is working.
• To avoid damage, do not use more than one (in parallel) input AC power supply.

Diagram showing required clearances around the unit: 8 inches (200mm) on all sides.

Please Note: While the Solar inverter has fans for cooling, this installation location optimal for natural convection cooling will improve the overall efficiency.

Wiring

⚠️ WARNING: The Renogy Solar Inverter is suitable for 48V battery banks systems ONLY. Not following the minimum DC requirement may cause irreversible damage to the unit.

⚠️ WARNING: The solar inverter components at the AC input/output, battery components, and PV components will produce high energy output. Make sure to connect the appropriate component to the appropriate labeled terminals.

❗ CAUTION: Be careful of the positive and negative poles. Reversing the poles may cause permanent damage to the inverter.

ℹ️ NOTE: The input terminals of the inverters have large capacitors connected to them. Once a positive and negative wire are connected to the terminals, it will complete the circuit, and commence drawing a heavy current momentarily. As a result, there may be a sparking occurring even if the inverter is in the off position. To minimize sparking, it is recommended that the user have the appropriate size wire feeding into the solar inverters and/or install an external fuse leading into the inverter.

❗ CAUTION: After the power switch is switched off, there is still high energy inside the solar inverter, do not open or touch the internal device, wait for the capacitance to be put off after the relevant operation.

Diagram showing the power button with ON/OFF labels.

Locate the power button on the solar inverter and make sure the solar inverter main power is turned off.

Diagram showing the location of the terminal cover on the front of the solar inverter.

Remove the terminal cover by unscrewing the appropriate terminals located on the face of the solar inverter.

Wiring Specifications

Wiring and installation methods must comply with national and local electrical specifications. The following chart is reference only. Longer wire runs between solar panels and the solar inverter as well as longer runs between the solar inverter and battery bank will require thicker wiring size to minimize loss and improve system performance.

Battery Wiring

❗ CAUTION: Be careful of the positive and negative poles. Reversing the poles may cause permanent damage to the inverter.

ℹ️ NOTE: The input terminals of the inverters have large capacitors connected to them. Once a positive and negative wire are connected to the terminals, it will complete the circuit, and commence drawing a heavy current momentarily. As a result, there may be a sparking occurring even if the inverter is in the off position. To minimize sparking, it is recommended that the user have the appropriate size wire feeding into the solar inverters and/or install an external fuse leading into the inverter.

ℹ️ NOTE: Make sure any circuit breakers are disconnected and ensure the unit is in the off position.

PV Wiring

The solar inverter takes a 48V battery input to operate. This will require combining 12V or 6V batteries in series to achieve the minimum voltage DC requirement. It is recommended to use battery cables with ring terminals. The ring terminals must be firmly tightened and secured on the respective battery terminals to prevent any excessive heating or resistance. Connect the positive and negative battery ring terminals to the respective positive and negative battery terminals on the solar inverter.

Diagram showing battery terminals labeled BAT+ and BAT-.

ℹ️ NOTE: For PV to charge 48V battery banks, you will need a minimum PV Voc voltage of 60VDC.

When combining panels in parallel it is recommended to use a combiner box for safety and organizational precautions. The solar inverter accepts a maximum of 150VDC input and requires a 48V battery input to operate. This will require combining solar panels in series or series parallel to achieve the minimum voltage DC requirement. Due to many factors affecting PV performance, it is recommended to utilize the open circuit voltage (Voc) when connecting panels in series to make sure you stay under the 150VDC input. For parallel connections, it is recommended to use the short circuit current (Isc) to make sure you are well under the 80A limit.

The bare wire terminal blocks must be firmly tightened and secured to prevent any excessive heating or resistance. Connect the positive and negative PV wire to the respective positive and negative PV terminal block on the solar inverter.

AC Output Wiring

ℹ️ NOTE: Only the Live and Neutral wires will be connected to the Output Terminal Block, the Ground will be connected to the screw terminal.

ℹ️ NOTE: Make sure any circuit breakers are disconnected and ensure the unit is in the off position.

⚠️ WARNING: AC Output should NEVER be connected to public power/utility or a generator.

❗ CAUTION: There are two terminal blocks with “IN” and “OUT” markings. Please do NOT misconnect input and output connectors.

Carefully place the correct AC wire into the respective AC Output terminal block. The ground output cable will need to be connected to the ground screw terminal located separately from the output terminal block. It is recommended to keep ground as close as possible to the solar inverter charger, the shorter the ground wire, the better. The order should be as follows:

Ground | L: Live | N: Neutral

Diagram showing AC OUT terminal block with L, N, and Ground connections.

AC Input Wiring

⚠️ WARNING: The AC input must never be connected to the AC output as irreversible overload or damage may result.

ℹ️ NOTE: The AC Input Terminal Block is connected to circuit breakers for added protection. Do not modify or alter them as it may cause irreversible damage to the solar inverter.

❗ CAUTION: There are two terminal blocks with “IN” and “OUT” markings. Please do NOT mis-connect input and output connectors.

Run the AC input line through the AC input cable entry slot. Make sure to use appropriate cable sizing when working with AC. Carefully place the correct AC wire into the respective AC Input terminal block. The order should be as follows:

Ground | L: Live | N: Neutral

Diagram showing AC IN terminal block with L, N, and Ground connections.

Communication Ports

Dry Contacts

ℹ️ NOTE: To use this to function, an auto start controller must be installed on the generator. There are three contacts; up to down: NO, N, NC.

⚠️ WARNING: Do not store units with auto gen start feature enabled. Generators exhaust dangerous fumes when running.

Diagram showing NO, N, and NC terminals.

This contact automatically starts the generator and charges the battery bank. Under normal conditions, this terminal is NC-N point closed, NO-N point open. When the battery voltage reaches the low voltage point, the relay coil is energized, and NO-N point now is closed and NC-N point now is open.

ℹ️ NOTE: The NO-N contact can drive the resistive load of 125VAC/1A, 30DCV/1A.

ℹ️ NOTE: While the generator is connected, the unit now operates in "Charging Mode" with the AC power from the Generator charging the batteries as well as providing power to the AC loads.

RS485/CAN

This port will be used for connecting to the BT-2 Accessory for remote monitoring and control.

Diagram showing the RS485 connector.

USB

The USB port is for internal purposes only. It will not be supported as it requires proprietary information.

ℹ️ NOTE: When using both USB and RS485, you can only use one of two alternatives, not use both simultaneously.

Operation

Assuming all connections are correct and tightly secured, locate the power button on the solar inverter and turn the main power switch to the ON position.

The following describes the basic operation of the solar inverter charger.

Diagram showing the power button with ON/OFF labels.

LCD Operation

The solar inverter is equipped with 3 LCD indicators and 4 working buttons.

Diagram of the LCD screen with indicators (AC/INV, CHARGE, FAULT) and buttons (SET, UP, DOWN, ENT).

LCD Display Icons and Indicators

Diagram showing the LCD screen with numbered icons (1-8) and corresponding descriptions below.

LCD Display Elements

The following is on the left side of the LCD:

• AC: Indicates AC input
• PV: Indicates PV input
• INV: Indicates inverter circuit
• WP: The icon appears only at startup and is irrelevant to functionality of the solar inverter
• INPUTBATTTEMP: Shows battery voltage, total battery charge current, charge power, AC input voltage, AC input frequency, PV Input voltage, internal heatsink temperature, and software version.

The following is on the right side of the LCD:

• OUTPUTBATTLOAD: Indicates output voltage, output current, output power, output visual power, battery discharge current, software version. In this setting mode, the settings under the currently set parameter item code are displayed.

Diagram showing various icons and their functions:

• AC input connected to AC Source
• Wide voltage AC input Mode (APL mode)
• PV input connected
• Solar inverter charger connected to the battery (with charge level indicators 0%-100%)
• Lithium battery type
• Sealed lead acid battery type
• Battery is charging
• AC/PV charging circuit is working
• AC Load voltage output
• Inverter mode circuit is working
• Power bypass (Bypass)
• Inverter circuit is powered to the load
• Load percentage in 25% increments (0%-100%)
• Buzzer is not enabled
• Alarm has occurred
• Faulty state
• In set mode
• Displays alarm or fault code when not in setting mode
• Operating under ECO power saving mode.

LCD Menu Screens

On the LCD home screen, press the "UP" and "DOWN" buttons to turn the page to view the solar inverter's real-time data.

LCD Programmable Features

Press the "SET" key to enter parameter setting mode. After entering the settings menu, the parameter number 00 flashes and you can press the "UP" and "DOWN" keys to select the parameter code that you want to set. To access the parameter program press "ENT" key to enter the parameter editing state, at which point the value of the parameter flashes. Adjust the value of the parameter through the "UP" and "DOWN" buttons, and finally press "ENT" to press the key, complete the edit of the parameter, and return to the parameter selection state.

Electronic Protections

Fault Codes

Maintenance

In order to maintain optimal long-term performance, it is recommended to perform inspections of the following items twice a year.

1. Make sure that the air flow around the solar inverter is not blocked and remove any dirt or debris from the radiator.
2. Check all terminals to see if there is corrosion, insulation damage, high temperature or combustion / discoloration signs, tighten the terminal screws.

⚠️ WARNING: Danger of electric shock! Make sure that all power supplies on solar inverter disconnected and that all capacitive power is released before checking or operating accordingly!

Technical Specifications

Utility/Grid and Inverter Specifications

Utility/Grid Charging, Solar (PV) Charging, and General Specifications

Battery Parameters

Non-Lithium Battery Parameters

When modifying parameters in User Mode, the following rules must be followed to set parameters successfully.

1. Overvoltage Disconnect > Overvoltage Disconnect Recover ≥ Equalization voltage ≥ Boost voltage > Float voltage
2. Overvoltage Disconnect > Over Voltage Disconnect Recover
3. Low Voltage Disconnect Recover > Low Voltage Disconnect (at least 2V Smaller) < Discharge Limit Voltage
4. Undervoltage Recover > Undervoltage Alarm

ℹ️ NOTE: If setting the Low Voltage Disconnect in User Mode, it must always be at least 2V lower than the Low Voltage Disconnect Recovery Voltage.

Lithium Battery Parameters

When modifying parameters in User Mode or Lithium, the following rules must be followed to set parameters successfully.

1. Overvoltage Disconnect > Overvoltage Disconnect Recover ≥ Equalization voltage ≥ Boost voltage > Float voltage
2. Overvoltage Disconnect > Over Voltage Disconnect Recover
3. Low Voltage Disconnect Recover > Low Voltage Disconnect (at least 2V Smaller) < Discharge Limit Voltage
4. Undervoltage Recover > Undervoltage Alarm

ℹ️ NOTE: If setting the Low Voltage Disconnect in User Mode, it must always be at least 2V lower than the Low Voltage Disconnect Recovery Voltage.

Charging Parameters Glossary

• Overvoltage Disconnect: When and if the charge controller experiences a voltage higher than what is assigned, it will disconnect itself from the circuit; ceasing charge.
• Overvoltage Recover: In the event a charge controller experiences an over-voltage condition set by the previous parameter, then this reconnecting parameter is put into play to direct the controller when it can connect and safely charge again. Typically over-voltage reconnection is achieved when time has passed (ex. The sun setting), or when the over-voltage condition is remedied ultimately reducing the voltage to a user defined charging voltage.
• Equalization Voltage: Equalization voltage is a corrective over-charge of the battery. The user should consult their battery manufacturer regarding specific battery equalization capacity. This parameter sets the equalization voltage to set the battery at when it reaches the equalization state.
• Boost Voltage: Users should check with their battery manufacturer for proper charging parameters. In this stage, users set the boost voltage where the battery will reach a voltage level and remain there until the battery undergoes an absorption stage.
• Float Voltage: Once the charge controller recognizes the set float voltage, it will commence floating. The battery is supposed to be fully charged in his state, and the charge current is reduced to maintain battery stability levels.
• Undervoltage Recover: Deals with the loads connected to the system. When batteries are determined to be low due to them approaching low voltage disconnect, then the loads will be shut off to give the batteries time to recover. This parameter sets the controller to shut off the loads until it can reach the low voltage reconnect stage.
• Undervoltage Alarm: This parameter deals with the batteries themselves approaching the under-voltage recovery state. The user should minimize loads before the charge controller approaches a level where it will do this automatically to protect the battery from discharging.
• Low Voltage Recover: Parameter allows loads connected to the system will be able to operate (not fully) again.
• Low-voltage disconnect: Prevents over-discharge of the batteries by automatically disconnecting any loads. This extends battery life and is the precedent to being in an under-voltage state, recovering from the undervoltage state, and finally reconnecting to normal operational state.

Compliance Information

Discharging limit Voltage: This parameter ensures that the controller does not exceed the default or assigned parameter before needing to be charged again. This is put into play to optimize and extend the battery life by going with a higher voltage. The lower the discharge limit voltage the more negative effect on battery efficiency.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Contact Information

RENOGY

RENOGY.COM

Renogy reserves the right to change the contents of this manual without notice.

• US: 2775 E Philadelphia St, Ontario, CA 91761, USA | 909-287-7111 | www.renogy.com | support@renogy.com
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• JP: https://www.renogy.jp | supportjp@renogy.com
• CA: https://ca.renogy.com | supportca@renogy.com
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• UK: https://uk.renogy.com | supportuk@renogy.com
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