Rich Solar 30 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller

The Rich Solar 30 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller Turns Up to 800W of Solar Into Battery Charging and Runs a 20A DC Load

The Rich Solar 30 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller (model RS-MPPT30) charges 12V or 24V battery banks and detects the system voltage on its own. It delivers up to 30A of charging current, and Rich Solar recommends up to 400W of solar at 12V or 800W at 24V. Solar input can reach 100V, so you can wire panels in series.

It also has a 20A DC load output with five control modes, an LCD with four status LEDs, and an RS232 port for Rich Solar's optional BT-1 Bluetooth module. A die-cast aluminum housing carries heat away. It suits off-grid systems that need both solar charging and simple DC load control, such as lighting circuits.

Rich Solar 30 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller Features

MPPT Charging That Finds the Panel's Peak Output

Rich Solar rates MPPT tracking efficiency above 99% and conversion efficiency up to 98%. Multi-peak tracking helps the controller find the true maximum power point when shade puts more than one peak on the panel's I-V curve. If the array produces more than the controller's rated power, it automatically limits charging to the rated level.

12V and 24V Systems With a Wide Input Range

The controller recognizes 12V or 24V batteries automatically and works with battery voltages from 9V to 35V. Its maximum power point voltage range runs from battery voltage plus 2V up to 75V. The input limit is 100V at 25°C and 90V at -25°C, so check your array's cold-weather open-circuit voltage against the lower figure.

Charging Profiles for Lead-Acid and Lithium

Choose sealed, gel, flooded or lithium presets, or a user setting with voltages from 9V to 17V. Sealed is the default. The lithium profile boosts to 14.4V on a 12V system, and Rich Solar says the controller can charge over-discharged lithium batteries. Lead-acid profiles use fast, boost and float stages, with periodic equalization for sealed and flooded batteries. Temperature compensation is -3mV/°C per 2V cell.

20A Load Output With Five Control Modes

The DC load terminals carry up to 20A. Light control turns the load on after dark and off when the sun returns. Light plus timer mode runs it for 1 to 14 hours after dusk, manual mode lets you switch it with the keys, and normal-on mode keeps it powered around the clock. Debugging mode, the factory default, helps you check wiring during installation.

LCD Readout, Data Logging and Bluetooth Option

Four LEDs show charging, battery, load and fault status. The LCD steps through panel voltage, charging current, battery voltage and capacity, load current, amp-hours, controller temperature and fault codes, and historical data is stored for up to a year. The RS232 port uses the Modbus protocol and accepts the optional BT-1 Bluetooth module.

Layered Electronic Protection

Protection covers battery reverse polarity, solar over-voltage, solar short circuit and reverse connection, load overload and short circuit, reverse current at night and over-temperature. As internal temperature climbs past 65°C, the controller steps charging power down. TVS lightning protection is built in. The controller is rated IP32 and is made for indoor installation.

Real-World Applications

Off-grid solar systems. Charge a 12V bank from up to 400W of panels or a 24V bank from up to 800W.

Dusk-to-dawn lighting. Use light control or light plus timer mode to run DC lights from the load output, up to 20A.

Small DC circuits. Power DC loads from the load terminals while the battery charges.

Practical Comparison

RS-MPPT30 Versus a PWM Controller

A conventional PWM controller holds the panel near battery voltage, so the extra panel voltage goes unused. On a 12V battery, for example, a panel that peaks near 17V is held at about 12V. The RS-MPPT30 tracks the panel's peak and converts that extra voltage into charging current, which makes it a better match for series-wired panels and longer wire runs.

RS-MPPT30 Versus the RS-MPPT40

Both models share the 238 x 173 x 72.5 mm case, 100V input limit and 20A load output. The RS-MPPT40 adds 10A of charging current, handles up to 600W at 12V or 1,100W at 24V, and calls for 10 mm² battery wire. The RS-MPPT30 handles 400W at 12V or 800W at 24V and uses 6 mm² battery wire.

Buyer Guidance

Sizing and Wiring

Keep the array within 400W at 12V or 800W at 24V. Use 6 mm² battery wire and 5 mm² load wire; the terminals take wire up to 8 AWG. Fit a fuse or breaker on the battery side, no more than 150 mm from the battery. Connect the battery first, then the load, then the solar panels. If your system has an inverter, connect it directly to the battery, not to the load terminals.

Mounting and Limits

Install the controller indoors, out of direct sun and away from water. Leave at least 150 mm of clear space above and below it for airflow. Never install it in the same enclosed space as an open lead-acid battery. The operating range is -35°C to 45°C, at altitudes up to 3,000 m.

This May Be A Good Fit If

• You run a 12V or 24V battery bank with up to 400W or 800W of solar
• You want a 20A DC load output with dusk-to-dawn control
• You use sealed, gel, flooded or lithium batteries
• You'd like to add Bluetooth monitoring later with the BT-1 module

Common Questions

Does It Have Bluetooth Built In?

No. It has an RS232 port that works with Rich Solar's optional BT-1 Bluetooth module for wireless monitoring.

Can It Charge Lithium Batteries?

Yes. Pick the lithium preset or set your own voltages in user mode. Rich Solar notes that it can also charge lithium batteries that have been over-discharged.

Does It Work With a Battery Temperature Sensor?

Yes. There's an external temperature terminal for a remote sensor. Without a sensor connected, the controller treats the battery temperature as 25°C.

Can I Connect an Inverter to the Load Terminals?

No. Connect an inverter directly to the battery. The load output is for DC loads up to 20A.

What's Included

• 1 x Rich Solar 30 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller (RS-MPPT30)

Solar Charging and Load Control in One Unit

The Rich Solar 30 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller pairs MPPT charging for 12V and 24V batteries with a 20A programmable load output and an easy-to-read LCD. If you'd like help sizing your array, wire or fuses, the Outbound Power team is happy to help.

Rich Solar 30 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller Manuals and Documents

Rich Solar 30 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller Manual

Rich Solar 30 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller Specification Sheet