The Rich Solar 60 Amp 12V DC-DC Battery Charger Charges a 12V House Battery at Up to 60A From the Alternator While Protecting the Starter Battery
The Rich Solar 60 Amp 12V DC-DC Battery Charger (model RS-DC60) is the 60A, 750W member of Rich Solar's DC-DC charger series. It takes power from your vehicle's 12V starter battery and alternator and charges a separate 12V auxiliary or house battery, acting as both a battery isolator and a charger.
A mode switch selects standard lead-acid, gel, AGM or LiFePO4 charging, and the charger works with smart or conventional alternators. Rich Solar builds it for RVs, vans, boats and commercial vehicles, in a fan-cooled metal case measuring 12.3 x 7.4 x 3.1 inches.
Rich Solar 60 Amp 12V DC-DC Battery Charger Features
The Highest Output in the Series
The RS-DC60 has a nominal output of 60A and 750W, with an operating current range of 56 to 65A, the most of Rich Solar's three DC-DC chargers. Check that your house battery can accept that much charging current.
Profiles for Lead-Acid and LiFePO4
STD, GEL and AGM settings charge in three stages, bulk, absorption and float, at 14.4V, 14.6V and 14.8V, then float at 13.5V, 13.5V and 13.8V. The LFP setting charges to 14.6V in two stages with no float, and POWER mode supplies a steady 13.2V.
Isolated Input With Alternator Support
The charger runs on 10 to 16V DC from the starter side, and isolated input and output keep the charging output steady with smart or conventional alternators. At full output, input current can run up to 50% above the charge current; Rich Solar lists input current limiting at 100A or less for this model.
D+ Ignition Control and 30A Low-Current Mode
The charger won't run until its D+ terminal sees 12V from the ignition circuit, so it only charges with the engine running. Apply 12V to the LC terminal and output drops to 50%, or 30A, for older or low-capacity alternators. Rich Solar recommends 18 to 16 AWG solid copper wire for both connections, which you supply.
Automatic Lithium Activation
If an over-discharged lithium battery's protection circuit has shut it off, the charger applies a small current to wake it and starts a normal charge once the cell voltage is correct.
Protection, Fault LED and Cooling
Protection covers over-voltage, under-voltage, over-temperature, reverse polarity and short circuit, and a red ERROR LED lights on a fault. Integrated fans cool the case, and idle draw is under 0.75A. An RJ11 port accepts an optional temperature sensor for lead-acid batteries only, sold separately.
Real-World Applications
RVs. Put up to 60A back into the house batteries on travel days, even when they're lithium and the starter battery is lead-acid.
Camper vans. Recharge a 12V LiFePO4 house battery from the alternator while you drive between stops.
Boats. Charge a house battery from the engine. Rich Solar recommends having a qualified electrician or installer verify boat installations.
Practical Comparison
RS-DC60 Versus a Basic Battery Isolator
A basic isolator ties the batteries together while the engine runs, so the house battery gets the alternator's voltage unchanged. The RS-DC60 keeps them isolated and charges the house battery with a profile set for its chemistry, including LiFePO4.
RS-DC60 Versus the RS-DC20 and RS-DC40
All three share the same input range, battery modes and features. The RS-DC60 is rated 60A (750W) and weighs 6.2 lb. The RS-DC20 (20A, 250W) and RS-DC40 (40A, 500W) are shorter and lighter, and they use lighter wiring and smaller fuses.
Buyer Guidance
Wire and Fuse It Correctly
For runs up to 10 ft (3 m), Rich Solar's wiring table calls for 4 AWG on the starter (input) side and 6 AWG on the house (output) side. Longer runs up to 30 ft (9 m) use 4 AWG, as listed in the specifications. Recommended fuses are 90A on the input and 75A on the output. Use ring terminals and one common negative ground.
Choose a Good Location
Mount the charger close to the house battery in a dry, cool place with some airflow and at least 1.97 inches (5 cm) of clearance on all sides, secured with four screws. Keep it away from salty, wet or damp areas and direct sun; above 122°F (50°C) ambient, it stops until it cools. It's for 12V batteries only.
This May Be A Good Fit If
- You have a 12V starter battery and a separate 12V house battery
- Your house battery is LiFePO4, AGM, gel or standard lead-acid
- Your battery and alternator can handle up to 60A of charging
- You're ready to run 4 AWG input cable with 90A and 75A fuses
Common Questions
What If My Alternator Can't Supply 60A?
Use the LC terminal. With 12V applied, the RS-DC60 limits its output to 30A, and normal current returns when you remove the LC connection.
Will It Drain My Starter Battery?
Not when the D+ terminal is wired to the ignition circuit as Rich Solar directs. The charger only runs while that circuit is live with the engine running.
What Do I Need to Buy Separately?
The box holds the charger and its user manual. You supply the battery cables, fuses and D+ wire, plus the LC wire and temperature sensor if you want those functions.
Can I Use It on a 24V System?
No. It's for 12V batteries only, and the manual says batteries must be above 10V (lead-acid) and can't exceed 15.5V.
What's Included
- 1 x RS-DC60 DC-DC Battery Charger
- 1 x User Manual
60A of Alternator Charging for Your House Battery
The Rich Solar 60 Amp 12V DC-DC Battery Charger charges a lithium or lead-acid house battery at up to 60A from your alternator, with ignition control, battery isolation and a 30A low-current mode. If you'd like help planning the wiring and fuses, the Outbound Power team is happy to help.
Rich Solar 60 Amp 12V DC-DC Battery Charger Specifications
|
| Model |
RS-DC60 |
| Input |
| Nominal Input Voltage |
12V DC |
| Operating Voltage Range |
10-16V DC |
| Input Current Limiting |
100A or less |
| Idle Consumption |
Under 0.75A |
| Output |
| Rated Output Power |
750W |
| Rated Output Current |
60A |
| Operating Current Range |
56-65A |
| Low Current Mode (LC) |
30A (range 27-32A) |
| Float Charging Current |
4.5-7.5A |
| Ripple Voltage |
Under 500 mV RMS |
| Efficiency |
Over 85% (at 14V DC, 30% load) |
| Charging |
| Battery Types |
AGM, flooded, gel, sealed, LiFePO4 (LFP), lithium-ion |
| Mode Switch Settings |
STD, GEL, AGM, LFP, POWER |
| Charging Profile |
2-stage for lithium, 3-stage for lead-acid |
| Charging Voltage |
STD 14.4V, GEL 14.6V, AGM 14.8V, LFP 14.6V, POWER 13.2V (±0.1V) |
| Float Voltage |
STD 13.5V, GEL 13.5V, AGM 13.8V, LFP none (±0.1V) |
| Absorption Time Limit |
3 hours maximum (default) |
| Lithium Activation |
Automatic |
| Protection and Controls |
| Protection |
Over-voltage, under-voltage, over-temperature, reverse polarity, short circuit |
| High Voltage Shutdown and Restart |
16V and 15.5V |
| Low Voltage Cut-Out and Restart |
8V (lead acid) and 10V |
| Over-Temperature Stop |
Ambient above 122°F (50°C) |
| Fault Indicator |
Red ERROR LED |
| Ignition Control |
D+ terminal, 18-16 AWG solid copper wire recommended (not included) |
| Current Limit Terminal |
LC terminal, 50% current limit (wire not included) |
| Temperature Sensor Port |
RJ11, optional sensor sold separately, not for lithium |
| Wiring and Fusing (Rich Solar Recommendation, 0-3% Voltage Drop) |
| Input Cable to Starter Battery |
4 AWG (0-10 ft), 4 AWG (11-20 ft and 21-30 ft, 3-10% non-critical drop) |
| Output Cable to House Battery |
6 AWG (0-10 ft), 4 AWG (11-20 ft), 4 AWG (21-30 ft, 3-10% non-critical drop) |
| Input Fuse |
90A |
| Output Fuse |
75A |
| Physical |
| Enclosure |
Metal, with integrated cooling fans |
| Operating Temperature |
-4°F to 122°F |
| Installation Clearance |
1.97 in (5 cm) on all sides |
| Dimensions |
12.3 x 7.4 x 3.1 in |
| Net Weight |
6.2 lb |
| Package Dimensions |
14 x 9 x 5 in |
| Gross Weight |
8 lb |
| Certifications |
CE, RoHS |
Rich Solar 60 Amp 12V DC-DC Battery Charger Manuals and Documents
Rich Solar RS-DC60 DC-DC Battery Charger User Manual
Rich Solar RS-DC60 DC-DC Battery Charger Specification Sheet