I've got a Renogy Rover LI 20A that I've recently set up with a new lithium battery (Renogy 100Ah LifePO4, model RBT12100LFPTMBT) after it sat unused for about two years. I installed it last Sunday, and the battery was at about 50% state of charge. I've been testing various solar panel configurations — including a new Renogy 200W portable solar blanket and some older Renogy 100W panels — in ideal conditions while camping in Idaho. Despite all this, I'm only getting a maximum of 5 amps of output to the battery, and I feel like I should be seeing way more, especially since I had PV inputs of up to 300W at times. When there's no load on the battery, the output stays at 4-5 amps, but it increases when there's a load. Shouldn't I be hitting at least 10-20 amps with my current setup? Why is it taking so long to charge? Am I missing something here?
2 Answers
Yeah, ideally, you should be seeing higher amps while charging, especially at 50% SOC. It might help to check the connections and ensure there’s no significant resistance in the wiring. Also, make sure your panels are positioned perfectly to catch the most sunlight. Sometimes, small tweaks in angle or alignment can make a big difference. Don't hesitate to reach out to Renogy directly too—they might have some troubleshooting tips specific to your setup.
Check the app for your Renogy Rover to see what mode it's in—MPPT, boost, or float mode can make a difference in output. You want to make sure it's working in the right mode to maximize charging. If it's stuck in float mode, that could explain the lower charging rates. Also, remember that efficiency can drop with heat, so be mindful of those environmental factors too.
Good point about checking the connections! Sometimes the smallest things can cause big issues in charging systems. I learned that the hard way with mine.