Renogy WANDERER User manual

10A | 12V/24V Version 1.2
PWM Solar Charge Controller
WANDERER LCD

01
General Safety Information
Charge Controller Safety
This manual contains important safety, installation, and
operating instructions for the charge controller. The following
symbols are used throughout the manual:
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. There may be sparks when making connections,
therefore, make sure there are not flammable materials or
gases near installation.
NEVER connect the solar panel array to the controller
without a battery. Battery must be connected first. This may
cause a dangerous occurrence where the controller would
experience a high open circuit voltage at the terminals.
Ensure input voltage does not exceed 50 VDC to prevent
permanent damage. Use the Open Circuit (Voc) to make
sure the voltage does not exceed this value when connecting
panels together in series.
Read all of the instructions and cautions in the manual before
beginning the installation.
Important Safety Instructions
Please save these instructions.
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.
NOTE
CAUTION
WARNING

02
Battery Safety
The charge controller should be installed indoors in a
well-ventilated, cool, and dry environment.
Do NOT let the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of the
battery touch each other.
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 batteries
UNLESS permitted by battery manufacturer.
Do NOT allow water to enter the controller.

03
Table of Contents
General Information 04
Product Overview 05
Identification of Parts 05
Dimensions 06
Optional Components 06
Main Display 14
Auto Recognition 14
LCD Overview 15
Mounting Recommendations 07
Wiring and Fusing 08
Set the Battery type 18
Error Codes 22
Load Terminal 20
Installation 07
Operation 14
MPPT Technology 16
Settings 18
Troubleshooting 22
Maintenance 24
Technical Specifications 25

04
General Information
4-Stage PWM Charging: Bulk, Boost, Float, and Equalization
The Wanderer is an advanced charge controller for off-grid
solar applications. Integrating highly efficient PWM charging,
this controller increases battery life and improves system
performance. It can be used for 12V/24V battery banks. The
controller is embedded with self-diagnostics and electronic
protection functions that prevent damages from installation
mistakes or system faults.
Automatic Voltage Detection for 12V/24V Non-Lithium
Systems and Lithium Battery Activation
Back-lit LCD for displaying system operation, diverse load
control, and error codes if any
Preset for Deep Cycle Sealed, Gel, Flooded Batteries and
Lithium-iron Phosphate Batteries
Integrated 5V, up to 2.1Amp USB for mobile or portable
device charging
Protection Against: overcharging, over-current, short circuit,
reverse polarity
Bluetooth Monitoring Ready port with addition of BT-1
Module and Renogy DC Home App
Key Features

05
Product Overview
Identification of Parts
① ②③
④⑤⑥⑦⑧
Key Parts
LCD Screen
Select Button
Enter Button
USB Ports
Load Terminals
Battery Terminals
PV Terminals
RS232 Communication Port
①
②
③
④
⑤
⑥
⑦
⑧

06
Dimensions
Optional Components
NOTE The dimensions have a ±0.5mm tolerance
Renogy BT-1 Bluetooth Module (Model: RCM-BT1)
The RCM-BT1 is a great addition to Renogy
charge controllers with an RS232 port. Pair the
controller using the BT-1 Module and the
Renogy DC Home App to monitor your system
using a smart phone or tablet. Read or set
parameters to monitor your system in real time!
[2.421in]
61.50mm
[2.953in]
75mm
[0.531in]
13.50mm
[0.063in]
R1.60mm
[1.083in]
27.50mm
[4.685in]
119mm

07
Refer to the technical specifications for max wire sizes on the
controller and for the maximum amperage going through wires.
Do not over-torque or over tighten the screw terminals. This
could potentially break the piece that holds the wire to the
charge controller.
CAUTION
Installation
Connect the battery to the charge controller BEFORE
connecting the solar panel(s) unless you have the solar
suitcase with controller exception. The controller needs a stable
power source to operate.
WARNING
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 tempera-
tures, and water. Make sure there is good ventilation.
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).
WARNING
3. Mark Holes
4. Drill Holes
5. Secure the charge controller.
Mounting Recommendations

08
Use bare wiring when connecting to the Wanderer’s terminal
blocks. Due to default positioning, you must ensure that the
terminal hatch is completely open before the first-time use.
1.Make sure to rotate the hatch counterclockwise (CCW) into
the open position to expose the wire hatch
3.Rotate clockwise (CW) to until the hatch has closed and
clamped onto the wire
2.Insert bare wire into the terminal for the respective connection
6 inches
warm air
(150mm)
cool air
6 inches
(150mm)
Wiring and Fusing
NOTE The wire terminals are closed by default.

Depending on the PV Array wiring and battery size, the
recommended fuse and cable gauge will depend on the actual
amps flowing through the cable. The following chart accounts for
less than 3% voltage drop and may not account for all configura-
tions.
*Panel connection assumes series to meet 24V system
minimum setup.
Larger wire sizes generally improve performance, whereas
smaller wire sizes may reduce performance, especially if
undersized. When considering wiring, fusing, and connection
options, think big and short as possible as heavier components
and shorter wire length offer less resistance and voltage drop.
Terminal Size Limitations may apply.
09
Closed Terminal BlockOpen Terminal Block
PV Watts
Battery
Voltage
Battery Cable
Recommended
Max
Terminal Size
12V 130W
24V 260W
12 AWG 12 AWG
PV Input
Amps
Battery
Voltage
0 ~ 10ft /
0 ~ 3m
11 ~ 20ft /
3m ~ 6m
12V 100W ~ 5A
24V 2x100W~5A*
16 AWG
16 AWG
16 ~ 14AWG
16 ~ 14AWG
21 ~ 30ft /
6m ~ 9m
14 ~ 12AWG
14 ~ 12AWG

10
2 0
170A
Fusing is a recommendation in PV systems to provide a safety
measure for connections going from panel to controller and
controller to battery. Remember to always use the
recommended wire gauge size based on the PV system and
the controller.
AWG 16 14 12 10 8 6 4
Max.
Current 55A30A20A15A10A
75A 95A 130A
NEC Maximum Current for different Copper Wire Sizes
Parallel
Fuse from Controller to Battery
Fuse from Solar Panel(s) to Controller
Ex. 200W; 2 X 100 W panels
Ex. Wanderer 10 = 10A fuse from Controller to Battery
Controller to Battery Fuse =
Current Rating of Charge Controller
Fuse = minimum of 11.5 * 1.2 = 14.38= 15A fuse
Total Amperage = Isc1 + Isc2 = (5.75A + 5.75A) * 1.2

11
Battery Wiring
WARNING
Connect the battery to the charge controller BEFORE
connecting the solar panel(s) unless you have the solar suitcase
with controller exception. The controller needs a stable power
source to operate.
1
counterclockwise
2
3
counterclockwise
4
clockwise
clockwise

12
PV Wiring
1
counterclockwise
2
3
counterclockwise
4
clockwise
clockwise

13
Load Wiring (Optional)
Communication Wiring (Optional)
1 2
1
counterclockwise
2
3
counterclockwise
4
clockwise
clockwise

14
After connecting the battery to the charge controller, the
controller will turn on automatically. Assuming normal
operation, the charge controller will cycle through different
displays. The user can adjust some parameters based on the
display screen. The user can manually cycle through the
display screens by using the “SELECT” and “ENTER” buttons.
The Wanderer controller will be able to automatically detect the
battery voltage for Non-Lithium 12V or 24V batteries. Lithium
batteries need to be manually programzmed and can be found
in Settings.
Operation
SELECT
ENTER
Tap—Cycles Forward through the LCD screens
Tap—Cycle Backward through the LCD Screens
Long Press—Hold to enter Setting Mode
Tap—Turns on Load Circuit in Manual Load Mode
Load Current
Load Mode
Error Code
Main Screen Solar Panel Voltage Charging Current
Battery Voltage
Auto Recognition
Main Display

15
LCD Overview
Icon or Value State Description
Steady on
3 Bars Flashing
3 Bars
2 Bars
1 Bar
No Bars
Steady on
Solar Panels Charging
Battery
Battery Voltage (16.1V+)
Battery Voltage
(12.9V- 16.0V)
Battery Voltage (12.5-12.8V)
Battery Voltage (11.6-12.4V)
Battery Voltage
(11.5V and below)
Battery Voltage
(10.9V and below)
Load is On
No Bars
Flashing
Parameter Value
Port Battery type Amps/Volts
System
Voltage
LoadBatterySolar Panel

16
The Wanderer utilizes Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
technology for battery charging. Battery charging is a current
based process so controlling the current will control the battery
voltage. For the most accurate return of capacity, and for the
prevention of excessive gassing pressure, the battery is
required to be controlled by specified voltage regulation set
points for Absorption, Float, and Equalization charging stages.
The charge controller uses automatic duty cycle conversion,
creating pulses of current to charge the battery.
The Wanderer 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.
TIME
NIGHT
BOOST
EQUALIZE
FLOAT
NIGHT
BULK
CHARGE
VOLTAGE
PMM Technology
PWM Technology
Four Charging Stages
The duty cycle is proportional to the difference between the
sensed battery voltage and the specified voltage regulation set
point. Once the battery reached the specified voltage range,
pulse current charging mode allows the battery to react and
allows for an acceptable rate of charge for the battery level.

17
Bulk Charge: This algorithm is used for day to day charging. It
uses 100% of available solar power to recharge the battery and
is equivalent to constant current.
When the battery has charged to the Boost
voltage set-point, it undergoes an absorption stage which is
equivalent to constant voltage regulation to prevent heating and
excessive gassing in the battery. The Boost time is 120
minutes.
Float Charge: After Boost Charge, the controller will reduce
the battery voltage to a float voltage set point. Once the battery
is fully charged, there will be no more chemical reactions and all
the charge current would turn into heat or gas.Because of this,
the charge controller will reduce the voltage charge to smaller
quantity, while lightly charging the battery. The purpose for this
is to offset the power consumption while maintaining a full
battery storage capacity.
Boost Charge:
In the event that a load drawn from the battery exceeds the
charge current, the controller will no longer be able to maintain
the battery to a Float set point and the controller will end the float
charge stage and refer back to bulk charging.
Equalization: Is carried out every 28 days of the month. It is
intentional overcharging of the battery for a controlled period.
Certain types of batteries benefit from periodic equalizing
charge, which can stir the electrolyte, balance battery voltage
and complete chemical reaction. Equalizing charge increases
the battery voltage, higher than the standard complement
voltage, which gasifies the battery electrolyte.
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

18
Set the Battery type
The Wanderer PWM charge controller has a reactivation feature
to awaken a sleeping lithium battery. The protection circuit of
Li-ion battery will typically turn the battery off and make it
unusable if over-discharged. This can happen when storing a
Li-ion pack in a discharged state for any length of time as
self-discharge would gradually deplete the remaining charge.
Without the wake-up feature to activate and charge batteries,
these batteries would become unserviceable and the packs
would be discarded. The Wanderer will apply a small charge
current to activate the protection circuit and if a correct cell
voltage can be reached, it starts a normal charge.
Over-charging and excessive gas precipitation may damage the
battery plates and activate material shedding on them. Too high
of equalizing charge or for too long may cause damage. Please
carefully review the specific requirements of the battery used in
the system.
At minimum you should set the battery type and voltage to
ensure your system’s livelihood.
1.Highlight Battery Voltage Screen
2.Hold ENTER for approximately 3s until the battery type starts
to flash
3.Tap SELECT to highlight your desired battery
4.To confirm, hold ENTER for 3s to select the battery
Set the battery type by maneuvering to the Battery Voltage
Screen where it should demonstrate the battery icon and voltage.
Lithium Battery Activation
Settings
Non-Lithium

19
Press SELECT until you highlight the Battery Voltage Screen
where it should demonstrate the battery icon and voltage.
Lithium
1.Highlight Battery Voltage Screen
2.Hold ENTER for approximately 3s until the battery type starts
to flash
3.Tap SELECT to highlight Lithium battery, Tap ENTER to
confirm Lithium
4.Tap SELECT to highlight nominal battery voltage as 12V or
24V, Tap Enter to confirm
5.Tap Select to choose your charging voltage setpoint, voltages
are in 0.2V increments
6.To confirm, hold ENTER for 3s to confirm Lithium, Battery
Voltage, and Charge Voltage
Battery Type