Renogy ROVER ELITE 20A User manual

20A | 40A Version 1.1
ROVER ELITE
Maximum Power Point Tracking Solar Charge Controller

01
General Safety Information
Charge Controller Safety
Important Safety Instructions
Please save these instructions.
This manual contains important safety, installation, and operating instructions for the charge
controller. The following symbols are used throughout the manual to indicate potentially
dangerous conditions or important safety information.
There are no serviceable parts for this controller. Do NOT disassemble or attempt to repair
the controller.
Make sure all connections going into and from the controller are tight.
NEVER connect the solar panel array to the controller without a battery. Battery must be
connected first.
Ensure input voltage does not exceed 100 VDC to prevent permanent damage. Use the
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) to make sure the voltage does not exceed this value when
connecting panels together.
Read all of the instructions and cautions in the manual before beginning the installation.
Do NOT allow water to enter the controller.
NOTE
CAUTION
WARNING
Indicates a potentially dangerous condition. Use extreme caution when
performing this task
Indicates a critical procedure for safe and proper operation of the controller
Indicates a procedure or function that is important to the safe and proper
operation of the controller

02
Battery Safety
Use only sealed lead-acid, flooded, gel or lithium batteries which must be deep cycle.
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.
Equalization is carried out only for non-sealed / vented/ flooded / wet cell lead acid
batteries.
Do NOT equalize VRLA type AGM / Gel / Lithium cell batteries UNLESS permitted by
battery manufacturer.
Default charging parameters in Li mode are programmed for 12.8V Lithium Iron
Phosphate (LFP) Battery only. Before using Rover Elite to charge other types of lithium
battery, set the parameters according to the suggestions from battery manufacturer.
Carefully read battery manuals before operation.
Do
NOT let the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of the battery touch each other.
Connect battery terminals to the charge controller BEFORE connecting
the solar panel(s) to the charge controller. NEVER connect solar panels to
charge controller until the battery is connected.
Once equalization is active in the battery charging, it will not exit this stage
unless there is adequate charging current from the solar panel. There
should be NO load on the batteries when in equalization charging stage.
WARNING
Recycle battery when it is replaced.

Table of Contents
03
General Information
Product Overview
Identification of Parts
04
05
05
07
Rover Elite 40A
Dimensions 06
06
Rover Elite 20A
Additional Components
Installation
Connect the Charge Controller
Cable Sizing
Operation
User Interface
LCD indicators
MPPT Technology
08
10
13
14
15
16
18
22
22
23
24
24
24
26
25
24
Change the Parameters
09
15
16
Mount the Charge Controller
Protection Behaviors / Fixes
Error Codes / Troubleshooting
Maintenance
Technical Specifications
Electrical Parameters
General
Battery Charging Parameters
Rover Elite-conversion Efficiency Curves
Troubleshooting

04
General Information
The Rover Elite series MPPT charge controllers give you the best charging efficiency for
countless 12V or 24V off-grid solar applications. Compatible with an assortment of batteries,
including Lithium, the Rover Elite MPPT maximizes your solar charging energy through its
smart tracking algorithm ensuring the most efficient to your battery. Additionally, the Rover Elite
MPPT is equipped with multiple battery, controller, and solar protections giving you peace of
mind and an optimized system you can trust.
12V /24V Auto System Recognition
Advanced MPPT Technology with up to 99% high tracking efficiency, 98% conversion
efficiency, and Lithium-reawakening feature
Backlit LCD displaying system information and identifying error codes
4 Pre-Set deep cycle battery ready: Gel, Flooded, Lithium-Iron Phosphate (12.8V), and
Sealed/AGM
Multiple Electronic Protections: over-charging, over-discharging, reverse polarity, and
over-temperature
Key Features

Product Overview
Identification of Parts
3
4 6
5
2
1
7 8
40A MPPT Charge Controller
ROVER ELITE
NOTE
Key Parts
1. LCD Screen
2. Operating Keys
3. Mounting Holes
4. RS485 Communication port
5. PV Terminals
6. Battery Terminals
7. Remote Temperature Sensor Port
8. Battery Voltage Sensor Port
Rover Elite 40A
05

Rover Elite 20
RS485
TEMP BATT
20A MPPT CHARGE CONTROLLER
ROVER ELITE
161.5mm
6.36in
97.9mm
3.85in
51.9mm
2.04in
149.5mm
5.89in
135.5mm
5.33in
65.8mm
2.59in
06
Dimensions

07
Dimensions are in mm [inches]
NOTE
Rover Elite 40
RS485
TEMP BATT
40A MPPT CHARGE CONTROLLER
ROVER ELITE
199.5mm
7.85in
129.9mm
5.11in
89.9mm
3.54in
187.5mm
7.38in
173.5mm
6.83in
75.0mm
2.95in

08
NOTE
Additional Components
Additional components included in the package:
This sensor measures the temperature at the battery and uses this data for
very accurate temperature compensation. The sensor is supplied with a 9.8ft
cable length that connects to the charge controller. Simply connect the cable
and adhere the sensor on top or the side of the battery to record ambient
temperature around the battery.
Lithium batteries do not have temperature compensation.
Remote Temperature Sensor:

09
Installation
Connect battery terminal wires to the charge controller FIRST then connect the
solar panel(s) to the charge controller. NEVER connect solar panel to charge
controller before the battery.
Recommended tools to have before installation:
Screwdriver
Do not over tighten the screw terminals. This could potentially break
the piece that holds the wire to the charge controller.
Refer to the technical specifications for max wire sizes on the control-
ler and for the maximum amperage going through wires.
You are now ready to begin connecting your battery to your charge
controller.
Multi-Meter
CAUTION
CAUTION
WARNING

Battery
1
2
3
10
Connect the Charge Controller
Rover Elite 20A
counterclockwise
clockwise
clockwise

1
2
3
11
Battery
Rover Elite 40A
counterclockwise
clockwise
clockwise

1
2
Solar Panels
1
2
12
Rover Elite 20A Rover Elite 40A
clockwise clockwise
clockwise clockwise

13
Temperature Sensor
Never install the controller in a sealed enclosure with flooded batteries. Gas can
accumulate and there is a risk of explosion.
1. Choose Mounting Location—place the controller on a vertical surface protected from
direct sunlight, high temperatures, and water. Make sure there is good ventilation.
NOTE
WARNING
1
3
Place the sensor close to the battery
Do NOT place the Temperature Sensor lug inside the battery cell.
2
1
3
Place the sensor close to the battery
2
Mount the Charge Controller
Rover Elite 40ARover Elite 20A

14
2. Check for Clearance—verify that there is sufficient room to run wires, as well as clearance
above and below the controller for ventilation. The clearance should be at least 6 inches (150mm).
3. Mark Holes
4. Drill Holes
5. Secure the charge controller.
6 inches
warm air
(150mm)
cool air
6 inches
(150mm)
Distance Wiring
Cable Total Length One-Way Distance
Cable Size (AWG)
< 10ft
14-12AWG
10ft-20ft
12-10AWG
The solar controller should be installed as near the battery as possible to avoid
efficiency loss.
NOTE
When the connections are completed correctly, the solar controller will turn on and
begin working automatically.
NOTE
AWG 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
Max. Current 55A30A20A15A10A 75A
95A 130A 170A
NEC Maximum Current for different Copper Wire Sizes
Cable Sizing

15
Operation
Rover Elite is very simple to use. Simply connect the batteries, and the controller will
automatically determine the battery voltage. The controller comes equipped with an LCD
screen and 4 buttons to maneuver though the menus.
The Error Code will not display unless there is an error. The menu will normal-
ly go from ambient temperature back to the main screen
Main Display
NOTE
Main Screen Error Code
User Interface
BATT 12V
BATT
Charging Current
12V
Accumulated AH
12V
Ambient Temperature
12V
Solar Panel Voltage
PV
12V
MPPT
Battery Voltage
12V
BATT

16
Cycles backwards through the menu
Return to previous page
in Parameter Setting Mode
Hold to Enter Parameter Setting Mode
Hold to Save Parameter Mode
Cycles forward through the menu
Daytime/Nighttime
mode
solar panel charging battery
abnormality
charging stage
parameter value unit system voltage
LCD Indicators
change the parameters

17
NOTE
1. Clear overall power generation to 0 KWh
2. Selecting Battery Type
Press the UP / DOWN ARROW to the appropriate interface in order to change
the specific parameter.
NOTE
Incorrect battery type setting may damage your battery. Please check your
battery manufacturer’s specifications to when selecting battery type.
If selecting Lithium and wanting to set Battery Voltage or Charge Parameters,
go to “3. Select lithium Battery Voltage and Charge Voltage,” later in this table.
The user can switch to the KWh screen by pressing the up/down button. In order to reset
the current power value to 0 KWh, the user needs to long press the right arrow for three
seconds, and then short press the "Up" arrow to clear the value when the power value
flashes.
In the screen showing the battery voltage, hold down RIGHT ARROW for approximately
3-5 seconds before the screen flashes the current battery type.
Once flashing, use the UP or DOWN ARROW to select the proper battery type and then
hold down RIGHT ARROW again to lock in the selected battery type.
WARNING
SLD is referring to AGM battery
12V12V

18
NOTE
If you want 12V LI charging, then select the RIGHT ARROW again to move to LI Boost
Charging Voltage. If you want a 24V LI charging, then you select UP or DOWN ARROW
to move from 12V to 24V LI Charging. Once you confirm your LI Charging (12V or 24V)
press RIGHT ARROW to move to LI Boost Charging Voltage.
Press UP or DOWN ARROW to change the Boost Voltage. The default setting is 14.4V
and the user can set it in the range 12.0~16.0V, in .2 increments. Once done, hold RIGHT
ARROW to confirm the selection.
Once LI is flashing, select RIGHT
ARROW again and a 12V will flash
In the screen showing the battery voltage, hold down RIGHT ARROW for approximately
3-5 seconds before the screen flashes the current battery type. Once flashing, use the
UP or DOWN ARROW to highlight LI
3. Select Lithium Battery Voltage and Charge Voltage
CHG
The above settings are ONLY available for LI setting
MPPT Technology
Therefore, assuming 100% efficiency:
Power In = Power Out
Volts In * Amps In = Volts out * Amps out
The MPPT Charge Controller utilizes Maximum Power Point Tracking technology to extract
maximum power from the solar module(s). The tracking algorithm is fully automatic and
does not require user adjustment. MPPT technology will track the array’smaximum power
point voltage (Vmp) as it varies with weather conditions, ensuring that the maximum power is
harvested from the array throughout the course of the day.
In many cases, the MPPT charge controller will “boost” up the current in the solar system. The
current does not come out of thin air. Instead, the power generated in the solar panels is the
same power that is transmitted into the battery bank. Power is the product of Voltage (V) x
Amperage (A).
Current Boost

19
Although MPPT controllers are not 100% efficient, they are very close at about 92-95% efficient.
Therefore, when the user has a solar system whose Vmp is greater than the battery bank
voltage, then that potential difference is proportional to the current boost. The voltage generated
at the solar module needs to be stepped down to a rate that could charge the battery in a stable
fashion by which the amperage is boosted accordingly to the drop. It is entirely possible to have
a solar module generate 8 amps going into the charge controller and likewise have the charge
controller send 10 amps to the battery bank. This is the essence of the MPPT charge controllers
and their advantage over traditional charge controllers. In traditional charge controllers, that
stepped down voltage amount is wasted because the controller algorithm can only dissipate it
as heat. The following demonstrates a graphical point regarding the output of MPPT technology.
The Rover Elite MPPT charge controller has a 4-stage battery charging algorithm for a rapid,
efficient, and safe battery charging. They include: Bulk Charge, Boost Charge, Float Charge,
and Equalization.
Four Charging Stages
Temperature is a huge enemy of solar modules. As the environmental temperature
increases, the operating voltage (Vmp ) is reduced and limits the power generation of the solar
module. Despite the effectiveness of MPPT technology, the charging algorithm will
possibly
not have much to work with and therefore there is an inevitable decrease in
performance.
In this scenario, it would be preferred to have modules with higher nominal
voltage, so that
despite the drop in performance of the panel, the battery is still receiving
a current boost
because of the proportional drop in module voltage.
Limiting Effectiveness
Maximum
Power Point
Traditional
Controller
Operating
Range
Maximum
Power Point
Current vs. Voltage (12V System)Output Power(12V System)
Typical Battery
Voltage Range
CURRENT
VOLTAGE
10 15 17
CURRENT
VOLTAGE
10 15 17