I'm trying to wrap my head around the load control function of my Renogy solar controller. Since my solar panels provide surplus power that charges the batteries anyway, I'm curious about the purpose of having options to turn the load on or off, or when the controller should supply power, particularly when the solar voltage is low. Also, can someone explain the difference between manual mode and 24/7 mode?
3 Answers
The load terminals on your Renogy controller aren’t strictly for solar energy; they are more commonly used for wind or hydro systems. In these setups, they prevent uncontrolled energy release by activating a load, like a resistor, when the batteries are full. This dump load helps protect your system when there’s excess energy. You might want to look up terms like "dump load" to understand it better.
As for the manual versus 24/7 mode, the manual mode gives you control over when the load is active, allowing you to make adjustments based on your specific needs. In 24/7 mode, the system runs continuously, activating the load as conditions allow without needing manual intervention. Each has its benefits, depending on how you manage your power usage.
You can actually use the load terminals for small electrical devices if you set the conditions right, such as battery voltage levels. For larger loads, it's a good idea to use a relay that connects to the load terminal, which lets you control when those bigger devices get power. For example, I have a solar setup that won't turn on the inverter until the battery voltage indicates it's above 50% state of charge.