Renogy 100W Solar Suitcase User manual

Solar Suitcase
Renogy 60W / 100W Solar Suitcase Manual
14288 Central Ave., Chino, CA 91710
1-800-330-8678

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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.
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 controller
NOTE: Indicates a procedure or function that is important to the safe and proper operation
of the controller.
General Safety Information
Read all of the instructions and cautions in the manual before beginning the installation.
There are no serviceable parts for this controller. Do NOT disassemble or attempt to repair
the controller.
Do NOT allow water to enter the controller.
Make sure all connections going into and from the controller are tight.
Charge Controller Safety
NEVER connect the solar panel array to the controller without a battery. Battery must be
connected first.
Ensure input voltage does not exceed 48 VDC to prevent permanent damage. Use the
Open Circuit (Voc) to make sure the voltage does not exceed this value when connecting
panels together.
Do not exceed 10A (VS1024BN) under load.
Battery Safety
Use only sealed lead-acid, flooded, or gel batteries which must be deep cycle.
Explosive battery gases may be present while charging. Be certain there is enough
ventilation to release the gases.

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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.
Carefully read battery manuals before operation.
Do NOT let the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of the battery touch each other.
Recycle battery when it is replaced.
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 sealed / VRLA type AGM / Gel cell batteries UNLESS permitted by
battery manufacturer.
WARNING: Do NOT connect any inverters or battery charger into the load terminal of the charge
controller.
WARNING: 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.

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Table of Contents
General Information.........................................................................................................................................4
Optional Components....................................................................................................................................6
Identification of Parts.....................................................................................................................................7
Installation.............................................................................................................................................................8
Operation............................................................................................................................................................ 10
1. Monitoring................................................................................................................................................... 11
2. Device Set.................................................................................................................................................. 12
3. Parameter Set.......................................................................................................................................... 12
4. Load Set...................................................................................................................................................... 13
6. Test Mode.................................................................................................................................................. 15
7. Password.................................................................................................................................................... 15
8. Batt Mng Mode......................................................................................................................................... 15
9. Factory Reset........................................................................................................................................... 15
10. Reboot Device....................................................................................................................................... 16
System Status Icons.................................................................................................................................... 16
System Status Glossary............................................................................................................................ 17
Charge Controller Troubleshooting.................................................................................................... 18
Maintenance...................................................................................................................................................... 19
Frequently Asked Questions.................................................................................................................. 20
Technical Specifications........................................................................................................................... 21
Charge Controller Electrical Parameters.......................................................................................... 21
Charge Controller Charging Parameters.......................................................................................... 22
Charging Parameters Glossary............................................................................................................. 23
Charge Controller Threshold Voltage Parameters....................................................................... 25
Solar Panel Parameters............................................................................................................................ 25
Dimensions........................................................................................................................................................ 25
RNG Group Inc. Limited Warranty....................................................................................................... 29

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General Information
The Renogy Solar Suitcases combine highly efficient Renogy Solar Panels and a fully adjustable
10 Amp ViewStar Series Charge Controller with an LCD Screen to create an easy-to-use, ‘plug
and play’ system.
This system is specifically designed for mobile off-grid applications, where space and weight
limitations are abundant. The Solar Suitcase models support 12V deep cycle battery varieties
such as sealed, lead acid, gel, and flooded. With built-in tilting stands, these panels can be
adjusted at different angles to maximize the power output throughout the seasons.
The alligator clips included in this package make it easy to connect the panel to a battery in
seconds. If one ever needs to connect a battery with a different type of end terminal, the alligator
clips are attached via MC4 Connectors.
Key Features
Dot-matrix, backlit LCD for displaying operating information and data.
Unique dual-timer for the controller’s load terminal.
Full control of parameter settings that can be adjusted.
Sealed, Gel, and Flooded battery option.
4 Stage charging: Bulk, Boost. Float, and Equalization
Temperature compensation and correcting the charging and discharging parameters
automatically, improving battery lifetime.
RJ45 interface for use with the remote meter MT-50, which conveniently checks the
operating parameters of the charge controller
Protection against: overcharging, over-discharging, overload, short-circuit, and reverse
polarity.
Negative ground controller.
Tilting stand for maximum potential.
Convenient storage case for easy transportation.
PWM Technology
The PWM 30ACC-ViewStar 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 byspecified 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 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.

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Four Charging Stages
The ViewStar charge controllers have a 4-stage battery charging algorithm for a rapid, efficient,
and safe battery charging. They include: Bulk Charge, Boost Charge, Float Charge, and
Equalization.
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.
Boost Charge: 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 default time for this is 120 minutes in the ViewStar
controllers but it can be customizable as needed.
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 orgas.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 afull battery storage capacity. 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 of time. 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.

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WARNING: 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: 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.
WARNING: Equalization may increase battery voltage to a level damaging to sensitive DC loads.
Ensure that all load allowable input voltages are greater than the equalizing charging set point
voltage.
Optional Components
Optional components that require a separate purchase:
Remote Temperature Sensor (TS-R):Measures the temperature
at the battery and uses this data for very accurate temperature
compensation. The sensor is supplied with a 6.6ft cable length that
connects to the charge controller. (Figure 1)
NOTE: The 10A ViewStar controller comes equipped with a
temperature sensor, but it is ONLY for the charge controller’s
temperature compensation, not the battery’s
temperature compensation.
LCD Display Tracer Meter (MT-50):Allows for real time monitoring of the
charge controller. Perfect for circumstances where the user cannot easily
access the controller or modify its parameters. It is supplied with a 5.9 ft.
cable and a mounting frame that connects to the RJ45 port on the
ViewStar. (Figure 2)
External Battery (RTC): Allows for access to the charge controller’s
saved settings, charge accumulation, and discharge accumulation without
connecting a deep cycle marine battery. It keeps track of the date/time for
automatic equalization charging purposes.
Figure 1
Figure 2

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Identification of Parts
Key Parts
1. 10A ViewStar Charge Controller
2. Junction Box
3. Standard SAE Connector
4. Tilt Stands
5. Battery Alligator Clips
6. In-line fuse
7. Latch
8. Handle
9. Case (Not pictured)
NOTE: Components are the same for the 60W | 100W Solar Suitcase
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1
2
3
5
8
7
6

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Installation
1. Unlatch and unfold unit then connect Standard SAE Connectors
2. Connect Battery Alligator Clips to 12V Battery

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3. Unscrew butterfly nut tilt to desired angle and lock butterfly nut
To maximize the output, adjust the angle of the suitcase regularly to track the sun’s movement
throughout the season
Summer
𝜃 = 𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 – 15°
Fall and Spring
𝜃 = 𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒
Winter
𝜃 = 𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 + 15°
𝜃