I built a small, off-grid solar system for my shed to power LED lights and a small ventilation fan that consisted of a 50W 12V-class panel (open circuit voltage around 20V), a 10 amp-hour LiFePo4 battery, and this charge controller. In that setup, it's worked great. It's a basic, workaday PWM charge controller that had worked great in my shed for several years until I decided to upgrade the system and added more panels and put in an MPPT controller.
Pros:
- Small size.
- Reasonable price.
- Terminals hold wires firmly and are easy to loosen and tighten. (Tip: crimp ferrules onto the ends of stranded wire rather and insert them into the terminals. Clamping stranded wire into the terminals is a bit harder, messier, and more prone to error.)
- Backlit screen.
- Easy to configure for flooded, AGM, and gel lead-acid batteries, as well as for LiFePo4 batteries.
- Charging voltage is configurable for LiFePo4 batteries (in case you want to stop charging at, say, 14.4V rather than 14.6V).
- USB ports are handy for charging phones or powering other devices.
- It has options for turning the load on and off at and for various times. For example, the load can be turned on all the time, toggled with the push of a button, or when the sun sets (either until morning, or for various periods of time after sunset).
- It supports -- but does not include -- a Renogy Bluetooth module that allows for remotely changing settings, seeing the current status, etc. from the Renogy app.
- Manual is clearly written in English and explains all settings and options clearly.
Cons:
- This is a PWM controller which, while simpler, inherently limits its efficiency and requires a bit more planning relative to an MPPT controller. For example, connecting multiple 12V-class panels in series (or using one with a nominal open-circuit voltage greater than about 20V) provides no benefit. They need to be connected in parallel, and then one must make sure not to exceed the 10A current rating of the controller (it does not have any current limiting capability).
- Turning on the load also enables the USB ports, which consume about 100mA of current when idle. With the load off, the current consumed by the controller itself is negligible. Still, it'd be nice to have the load on and disable the USB ports.
- The on-device settings for having the load switched on or off at various times of day are unclear and require consulting the manual to know what the various codes mean.
- The Bluetooth module is very basic and neither it nor the Wanderer 10 have any sort of data logging. You can see the current status and change settings, but no historical data is available. You apparently need some other Renogy device to accomplish that.
- The Renogy app has many features, such as social features, promotions, etc. that distract from the core functionality of managing the controller.
- Although the controller is reasonably priced, but the Bluetooth module is costly. Combined, their cost exceeds that of a reputable competitor's MPPT controller with built-in Bluetooth, data logging, a better app, and better integration with other devices and remote monitoring.
In short, it's an inexpensive, simple PWM charge controller. If that's what you need, it'll do the job quietly and without complaint for years.
However, if you want to use the Bluetooth module with this controller, you're limited to live monitoring and changing of settings only. No data logging or historical data is available. For less money than the controller + Bluetooth module, you can get a comparable-power-limit MPPT controller from a major competitor that includes better monitoring, data logging, and higher efficiency.
Renogy 10 Amp 12V/24V PWM Negative Ground Solar Charge Controller Compact Design w/LCD Display for AGM, Gel, Flooded and Lith
4.3 | 2,886 ratings
Price: 18.99
Last update: 01-10-2025
About this item
【12V/24V Automatically Detect】 Automatically detects the voltage of the battery system (for non-lithium batteries) and adjusts the charging parameters accordingly, ensuring that the battery is charged safely and efficiently.
【Full System Protection】 Designed to safeguard your solar system. It provides a comprehensive and reliable safeguard for your equipment and devices protection for overcharging, over-discharging, short-circuit, overload, reverse polarity, reverse current, and temperature compensation, keeping your devices and systems running smoothly and safely.
【Multiple Types of Charging Ports】 Integrated with 5V 2A USB ports, allowing you to conveniently charge your phones, tablets, and other USB-powered devices directly from the controller without the need for an additional power source or adapter. With a variety of charging options, this charge controller is perfect for those who need flexibility in their charging solutions.
【Diverse Load Control】 Multiple load control modes provide unparalleled flexibility and maximum efficiency when it comes to managing your energy usage. Wanderer 10 can adapt to your specific load requirements by set up parameters directly from the controller.
【Extremely Low Self-Consumption】 Boasts an extremely low self-consumption feature, making it an energy-efficient and practical solution for off-grid power systems. With its low self-consumption rate, the charge controller consumes minimal power from the battery, allowing you to maximize the efficiency and lifespan of your power system.
【Real-time Monitoring】 The integrated RS232 port works perfectly with the BT-1 Bluetooth module to deliver real-time energy data across the DC Home smart phone app & Renogy ONE M1, your all-in-one energy monitoring and off-grid smart living center.
【Full System Protection】 Designed to safeguard your solar system. It provides a comprehensive and reliable safeguard for your equipment and devices protection for overcharging, over-discharging, short-circuit, overload, reverse polarity, reverse current, and temperature compensation, keeping your devices and systems running smoothly and safely.
【Multiple Types of Charging Ports】 Integrated with 5V 2A USB ports, allowing you to conveniently charge your phones, tablets, and other USB-powered devices directly from the controller without the need for an additional power source or adapter. With a variety of charging options, this charge controller is perfect for those who need flexibility in their charging solutions.
【Diverse Load Control】 Multiple load control modes provide unparalleled flexibility and maximum efficiency when it comes to managing your energy usage. Wanderer 10 can adapt to your specific load requirements by set up parameters directly from the controller.
【Extremely Low Self-Consumption】 Boasts an extremely low self-consumption feature, making it an energy-efficient and practical solution for off-grid power systems. With its low self-consumption rate, the charge controller consumes minimal power from the battery, allowing you to maximize the efficiency and lifespan of your power system.
【Real-time Monitoring】 The integrated RS232 port works perfectly with the BT-1 Bluetooth module to deliver real-time energy data across the DC Home smart phone app & Renogy ONE M1, your all-in-one energy monitoring and off-grid smart living center.
Product information
| Item Weight | 4.32 ounces |
|---|---|
| UPC | 816360029953 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00816360029953 |
| Manufacturer | Renogy |
| Product Dimensions | 4.7 x 3 x 1.1 inches |
| Item Weight | 4.3 ounces |
| ASIN | B07NPDWZJ7 |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | Wanderer 10 Amp 12V/24V |
| Customer Reviews |
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars
5,016 ratings
4.4 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #2,854 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden) #1 in Renewable Energy Controllers |
Top reviews from the United States
Pete S.
Simple, reliable PWM controller. Gets the job done.
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024reviews @%$!
excellent
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2024D. Adams
For the money this is a great value
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2023Bubba Jones
It works great...
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024Eb Wahab
Easy to use with good features
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
Eb Wahab
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
Two all the features work. It is easy to use and intuitive to operate. I have it hooked up to a 10 AMP/H 12 VDC battery that gets charged by a 100W solar panel. This is our emergency/camping kit.
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