Charge Controllers

Charge controllers manage the flow of electricity from solar panels into the battery bank. It mitigates the highly variable voltage and amperage from the panels and outputs a regulated flow into the batteries. The battery bank requires a specific voltage to charge, for example around 14 volts for a 12 volt battery bank. It also requires amperage to be mitigated in order to maintain battery health, such as lower amps when the battery is nearly full but higher amps for quicker charging when nearly empty. Selecting a quality charge controller is critical for maximizing how much solar power you can capture as well as increasing the longevity of the battery bank. If your charge controller is undersized for the array, your MPPT charge controller will shut down entire strings of panels to protect itself. It will also have trouble filling the batteries.

We only recommend MPPT charge controllers that support LiFePO4 batteries. Read our Choosing A Charge Controller article to learn why.

Types of Charge Controllers

Charge Controller – a basic unit that only serves as a charge controller. Has a solar (PV) input and a battery connection. Some units have a load connection that allows the controller to turn on/off a DC load usually up to 20 amps of current often with a timer or manual on/off switch. Some units may have USB connections.

Controller / Inverter – a combination of a charge controller and an inverter in a single unit. The inverter converts the DC power from the batteries into AC power. They often have direct 110V outlets on the unit itself. They often have a direct-wire connection (LNG screw connector) for “hard wiring” AC circuits on the output side of things. Some will have USB connections as well.

Controller / Inverter / Charger – like the Controller/Inverter above but adds an AC INPUT connection that goes to a grid power source. The AC input connection works like a standalone battery charger to keep the batteries “topped off”. Many have options to configure how the power is routed, such as “use solar as the priority” and only turns on the grid connection when needed or “grid priority” where is only uses the battery and solar when the grid fails, or a hybrid mix of the two. Useful for applications where grid power is available as a backup source to the solar generation, or to use solar as a backup when the grid fails.

The subcategories are the battery output maximum amp rating. 40A – 40A max current supported.

Product Data

Charge column shows:

  • First line is maximum output current (A) to the battery bank.
  • Last line is the charging efficiency.

PV Input column shows:

  • Maximum open voltage allowed (VDC) from all solar panels – typically in series.
  • Max PV open circuit voltage in amps (A) from all solar panels – typically in parallel or series-parallel configuration.
  • Last lines are the battery bank voltage (V) and the total maximum power (W) allowed at that voltage.
Type/BrandPV InputRally Creek USA NotesFeaturesSize/WarrantyCost
Charge Controller
40A
Renogy Rover RVR-40100VDC

12V:520W
24V:1040W
Our initial charge controller for Blue Skies Cabin.
Works ok in a small setup.
Really needs BT-1 Bluetooth module ($) and app to see what is going on, plus preferably M1 Core ($).
8 AWG bare
20A load output
12/24v manual setting (Li)
Includes temp sensor.
IP32
9.38 x 6.78 x 3.05 in

4.1 lbs

2Y
$150 Amazon
60A
Renogy Rover RVR-60140VDC

12V: 800W
24V: 1600W
36V: 2400W
48V: 3200W
BT1 Module forReally needs BT-1 Bluetooth module ($) and app to see what is going on, plus preferably M1 Core ($).

Seems to support parallel, but they don’t tell you shit about it.
12/24/36/48V Auto
4 AWG Bare
IP32
2Y$310 Amazon (na)
80A
BougeRV150VDC

12V:1.2kWh
24V:2.4kWh
36V:3.6kWh
48V:4.8kWh
App connection.
99% efficient.

Supports 9P configuration.
8 AWG Bare
IP32
1.5Y$300 Amazon (na)
$255 BougeRV (na)
100A
BougeRV150VDC

12V:1.5kWh
24V:3.0kWh
36V:4.5kWh
48V:6.0kWh
App connection.
99% efficient.

Supports 2P configuration.
8 AWG Bare
IP32
12.3 x 10.3 x 5.6″
6lbs
1.5Y
$400 Amazon (na)
Renogy Rover RVR-100150VDC

12V:1.3kWh
24V:2.6kWh
36V:3.9kWh
48V:5.2kWh
Needs BT-1 or BT-2 Bluetooth module ($) and app to see what is going on, plus preferably M1 Core ($).


Supports 2P configuration.
6 AWG bare
IP32
12.00 x 17.44 x 4.34 in

22 lbs

2Y
$550 Amazon
$630 Renogy (na)
Victron Smart Solar 150 | 100 Tr150VDC
70A

12V:1.45kWh
24V:2.9kWh
36V:4.35kWh
48V:5.8kWh
Includes Bluetooth.
Does not have load output.
Supports 10P via bluetooth, 25P via VE.Can.
95% efficient.

Look for the MC4 vs. Tr model for direct MC4 solar connections.
2 AWG Bare
2 AWG Bare for Solar
Bluetooth included
Ve.Can included
IP43 / IP22
216 x 295 x 103mm

4.5kG

5Y
$520 Amazon (na)
Victron Smart Solar 250 100 Tr250VDC
70A

12V:1.45kWh
24V:2.9kWh
36V:4.35kWh
48V:5.8kWh

Includes Bluetooth.
Does not have load output.
Supports 10P via bluetooth, 25P via VE.Can.
95% efficient.

Look for the MC4 vs. Tr model for direct MC4 solar connections.
2 AWG Bare
2 AWG Bare for Solar
Bluetooth included
Ve.Can included
IP43 / IP22
216 x 295 x 103mm

4.5kG

5Y
$550 Amazon
Victron Smart Solar 250 100 MC4250VDC
30A per MC4

12V:1.45kWh
24V:2.9kWh
36V:4.35kWh
48V:5.8kWh
MC4 Solar Connectors (x3)
Includes Bluetooth.
Does not have load output.
Supports 10P via bluetooth, 25P via VE.Can.
95% efficient.
2 AWG Bare
3 Pair MC4 Solar
Bluetooth included
Ve.Can included
IP43 / IP22
216 x 295 x 103mm

4.5kG

5Y
$625 Amazon (na)
Controller / Inverter / Charger
60A
Ecoworthy100VDC

24V
48V
Hard wired AC out only.
24V and 48V models available
24V: 3kWh inverter, 48V: 5kWh inverter

48V $900 model supports parallel connections
24V: $490 Amazon (na)
48V: $900 Amazon (na)
80A
Ecoworthy Split Phase500VDC

48V: 5.5kWh

33kWh Max
5kWh inverter output, split phase 240vac out (or single 120v out)

Supports 6P
IP20$900 Ecoworthy (na)
Growatt Split Phase145VDC
80A

48V:4.5kWh

27kWh Max
Hard wired AC out only.
24V and 48V models available
3kWh Inverter
Supports 6P
48V: $845 Amazon (na)
Renogy145VDC
50A

48V: 4.4kWh
40A AC Battery Charger
Inverter 3.5kWh
8AWG Bare
IP20
16.8 x 12.7 x 4.9″
23.8 lbs
$602 Amazon (na)

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