Testing out a Cheap 40A MPPT Solar Charge Controller

Ray

Last spring, I reviewed a couple of items from an online seller called BougeRV. I had a look at their 170W solar panels and AC/DC portable fridge freezer. Though both are not the best quality out there, they weren’t too bad considering the price.

Since then, the company has been asking me to review something else from their website. So far, the only thing that has been of real interest to me is the 40 amp MPPT solar charger controller. I know lots of people are adding solar systems to their rigs and trying to keep costs down. Now that it’s spring and the sunshine is returning here in BC, I decided to have them send one out for review.

The BougeRV 40 MPPT solar controller performed well in my initial tests putting out the advertised charging amperage. However, I’ve decided to wire it into my existing solar system and use it for the summer to give you a longer-term performance/durability review later on. Stay tuned for that.

BougeRV Sales Page - https://shrsl.com/2w0fl 12% off LYRV Coupon Code = loveyourrv12

BougeRV Store on Amazon - https://amzn.to/39H7KBP

MC Series Manual - https://azimuthsolar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/MC-SERIES-SRNE-MPPT-MANUAL-V1.01.pdf

RM-6 LCD Display Manual - https://www.akumulator.si/img/upload/attachments/10042019104133_LCD-monitor-za-MPPT-regulatorje-Srna-RM-6.pdf

BougeRV Solar Panel Review - https://www.loveyourrv.com/bougerv-170-watt-solar-panel-review/

BougeRV Portable Fridge/Freezer Review - https://www.loveyourrv.com/portable-ac-dc-fridge-freezer-review/

LYRV Archive of Solar Related Posts and Videos - https://www.loveyourrv.com/tag/solar/

LYRV LIthium Battery Reviews - https://www.loveyourrv.com/tag/lithium/

MikeQ

Hello Ray,
I have to say I was exited to try out this new BourgeRv 40 amp charge controller. Have you had good Luck with it so far?

Just an FYI:
I went on their website and was happy to get your 12% discount and a great deal on a 180 watt panel, the 40 amp controller and cables. for just under $300 with free shipping. This was April 16th sad to report I have still not received the system and off course it's been paid for.
I have not been able to track the shipment either since they said it was shipped more than 3 weeks ago .

I do realize with the pandemic things are slow to move but I had no Idea this was being shipped from China directly to me.
so I am requesting a refund. I will let you know the outcome. I guess I should have gone with a Bogart... LOL

Mike

Ray

↪MikeQ

Thanks for the feedback I will let my contact at BougeRV know this. So far the controller has worked as expected putting out right near 40 amps. Still waiting for the summer heat to arrive and test it in warmer temps.

Ray

@MikeQ Here is the response I got:

Hi Ray

Really sorry to hear that. We sincerely apologize for the delay in delivery.
Due to 180W solar panels is out of stock in the USA warehouse and the pandemic, we have to ship the goods from China. The logistics is about one month slower than usual. We will have a shipment arriving in the USA warehouse at the end of May. Once the goods arrive, we will arrange the delivery to Mike first. You can let Mike know.

If customers have any problems or need any help, they can contact BougeRV customer service at any time. And the customer service will seek the best solution to solve the problem within a day. Here is BougeRV customer service email: supportatbougervdotcom

MikeQ

Thank you for sharing and following up. I did receive an email response from them yesterday in response to my email to them.

Dear Mike:
We are sorry to tell you that your order will be shipped in early June due to extra delays on the port. We are sincerely sorry for the inconvenience and hope you could understand.
Best regards,
Jim

I just wanted to share what I was going through with you and the community ... now we know
We were looking at their freezer you did a review on, seems like a good Unit.

shipping and low stock just seems top be an Issue all over right now
Thanks,
Mike

Ray

In this video, I take advantage of an unprecedented heatwave in British Columbia to torture test my BougeRV solar charger. We see how it reacts to ambient outside temps of as high as 104F and over solar-paneled with 940 watts.

The results are it was able to handle the test. The controller maintained a temperature of about 125F measured on its heat sink. It did this by reducing the output amperage from the normal max of 40 amps to between 26-32 amps during the extreme heat. Over the course of the day, I charged my lithium battery bank putting in 200 amp-hours.

Related Links:

Boondocking Power Upgrades - https://www.loveyourrv.com/boondocking-power-upgrade-added-separate-500w-solar-panel-ground-array/

AC Maintenance - https://www.loveyourrv.com/rv-air-conditioner-maintenance-new-gasket-seal-clean-lube/

RV Window Exterior Shades - https://www.loveyourrv.com/simple-to-install-exterior-window-shades-for-a-cool-rv/

RV Roof Coating - https://www.loveyourrv.com/rv-roof-reseal-and-refresh-alpha-systems-top-coat-lap-sealant-and-roofing-tape/

RV Weather Station - https://www.loveyourrv.com/christmas-rv-goodie-deluxe-weather-station-for-the-rig/

Ray

In this video, I install and demo the addon Bluetooth dongle BT-2 for my BougeRV/SRNE 40 amp MPPT solar controller. The dongle allows the setup and monitoring of the solar controller via a smartphone app called SolarAPP. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shuori.gfv2.guangfu&hl=en&gl=US

The Bluetooth addon device also appears to work with some Renogy controllers since I was also able to use a Renongy App called Renogy BT. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bt.renogy&hl=en&gl=US

I purchased the BT-2 dongle from a website called AliExpress https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002316809389.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dhVUaKP

Testing out a Cheap 40A MPPT Solar Charge Controller

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