Renogy Wanderer Li 30A mounting orientation

[jlhog]

Is there any reason I should not mount the controller as shown in the picture? The way my space is and the way the factory wires are run this is my easiest option. It will be mounted inside and will stay dry.

 

[DonTom]

Is there any reason I should not mount the controller as shown in the picture? The way my space is and the way the factory wires are run this is my easiest option. It will be mounted inside and will stay dry.View attachment 2458678

I cannot think of any such reason. It has those mounting holes for a reason. But put it in a place where you can view the LEDs if you do not have a separate monitor.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Does it have fins on the back? A heat sink needs to have fins running vertically in order for convective air to cool the heat sink. If the fins on the back are mounted horizontally they are much less efficient and will shorten the life of the unit!
Bill

 

[John From Detroit]

If you mean mounting it "End up" GO FOR IT.

Now some very high power stuff (Say a 2,000 watt inverter) the manual tells you to mount it in a specific orientation (or pick from a short list) due to air flow over the heat sinks.... but for that... I see no problem no need for "This side up"

 

[jlhog]

Does it have fins on the back? A heat sink needs to have fins running vertically in order for convective air to cool the heat sink. If the fins on the back are mounted horizontally they are much less efficient and will shorten the life of the unit!
Bill

No cooling fins. It has a solid metal back

 

[Lou Schneider]

The owners manual calls for it to be mounted on a vertical surface and shows cooling air entering at the bottom (where the wires are) and flowing by convection through the top. Do the mounting brackets hold it a bit off of the wall? If so, and you mount it the way you want the convection flow be blocked by the mounting brackets.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/0137/0483/files/WND10-Manual.pdf?v=1752026014

This is a PWM controller - it's output current is the same as the current it gets from the solar panels. You might look into a MPPT controller that converts excess voltage generated by the panels into additional output current - prices have really come down.

 

[jlhog]

The owners manual calls for it to be mounted on a vertical surface and shows cooling air entering at the bottom (where the wires are) and flowing by convection through the top. Do the mounting brackets hold it a bit off of the wall? If so, and you mount it the way you want the convection flow be blocked by the mounting brackets.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/0137/0483/files/WND10-Manual.pdf?v=1752026014

This is a PWM controller - it's output current is the same as the current it gets from the solar panels. You might look into a MPPT controller that converts excess voltage generated by the panels into additional output current - prices have really come down.

I plan on mounting it vertically, just sideways. there is no mounting brackets. It screws direct to the wall. I will add a small spacers under each screw to help ventilate. If the output current is the same why have a controller. Can I just attach the wires from the panel to the battery? What would I gain by a MPPT controller? I already have this controller. Any reason not to use it? I am solar stupid so all advice helps.

 

[DonTom]

I plan on mounting it vertically, just sideways. there is no mounting brackets. It screws direct to the wall. I will add a small spacers under each screw to help ventilate. If the output current is the same why have a controller. Can I just attach the wires from the panel to the battery? What would I gain by a MPPT controller? I already have this controller. Any reason not to use it? I am solar stupid so all advice helps.

You can get around 20% more output with the same input from your solar
panels by using a MPPT controller because of better efficiency over the PWM type that you have.

No reason to change otherwise.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[jlhog]

I googled it.
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) are the two primary types of solar charge controllers. MPPT controllers are more advanced, extracting up to \(30\%\) more power by converting excess voltage into current, which makes them ideal for larger, colder, or expanding solar systems. PWM controllers are simpler, less expensive switches used primarily for small, identical-voltage setups

I have 1 lithium battery that I want to charge during the day after using it at night for fridge and such. I assume the PWM controller should do that.

 

[CharlesinGA]

The owners manual calls for it to be mounted on a vertical surface and shows cooling air entering at the bottom (where the wires are) and flowing by convection through the top. Do the mounting brackets hold it a bit off of the wall? If so, and you mount it the way you want the convection flow be blocked by the mounting brackets.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/0137/0483/files/WND10-Manual.pdf?v=1752026014

This is a PWM controller - it's output current is the same as the current it gets from the solar panels. You might look into a MPPT controller that converts excess voltage generated by the panels into additional output current - prices have really come down.

I plan on mounting it vertically, just sideways. there is no mounting brackets. It screws direct to the wall. I will add a small spacers under each screw to help ventilate. If the output current is the same why have a controller. Can I just attach the wires from the panel to the battery? What would I gain by a MPPT controller? I already have this controller. Any reason not to use it? I am solar stupid so all advice helps.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Manual Lou linked to shows the mounting below and specifies at least 6 inches above and below open for air flow. Sideways is not in the manual.

 

[DonTom]

I assume the PWM controller should do that.

Sure, just ~20% (30% max) less than what a MPPT will do.

But if that is PWM controller is enough it is enough and that is all the counts.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[jlhog]

A picture is worth a thousand words. Manual Lou linked to shows the mounting below and specifies at least 6 inches above and below open for air flow. Sideways is not in the manual.

View attachment 2459545

I have the manual that came in the box new and that picture is NOT in there. Wonder why there is two different manuals?

 

[jlhog]

I have the manual that came in the box new and that picture is NOT in there. Wonder why there is two different manuals?

Ahh, that why. the unit I pictured is different from what Lou posted a manual for.

 

[jlhog]

Unbelievable that I heard from Renogy on Memorial Day. I had emailed them about the way I wanted mount the unit and this was their reply.
The unit can be mounted as shown in your attachment, provided the following guidelines are observed:
So it is now installed.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

What guidelines did they state?

 

[jlhog]

What guidelines did they state?

Just the rest that was in the manual. Dry area, out of direct sunlight, bla bla bla

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

K, thx! Bill