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DC-DC Charging from a Towing Vehicle and Solar (PV) System
The XT12HR OGE is equipped with a Renogy 50A Dual Input DC-DC Battery
Charger with MPPT, enabling the vehicle alternator to charge the onboard
lithium battery bank while also supporting solar charging via the roof-
mounted solar array. This dual functionality provides a streamlined and
efficient charging setup for both on-road and off-grid use. The system
ensures reliable power supply by incorporating:
Vehicle Power Connection & Anderson Plug Setup
• The trailer’s 50A Anderson plug, located on the drawbar, must be connected
to the vehicle’s auxiliary charging circuit.
• A dedicated 50A relay is recommended on the tow vehicle to prevent unintended
battery drain when the engine is off.
• A 50A fuse or circuit breaker should be installed between the tow vehicle’s battery and the Anderson plug for overcurrent
protection.
Charging Logic and Priority
• The Renogy DC-DC charger prioritizes solar input when sunlight is available through the integrated MPPT solar charge
controller.
• If solar output drops to 0 Amps and 0 Volts, the system automatically switches to alternator-based charging.
• When both power sources are present, the system engages in hybrid charging, combining solar and alternator inputs to
deliver up to
50A of total current to the battery bank.
Solar Charging via DC-DC Charger
• The roof-mounted solar panels feed directly into the Renogy 50A DC-DC
charger, which includes built-in MPPT technology to maximize charging
efficiency from solar energy.
• MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) ensures the charger harvests the
highest possible wattage from the panels by dynamically adjusting voltage
and current.
• The charger supports a multi-stage charge profile tailored for LiFePO4
batteries:
o Bulk Stage: Delivers maximum current to rapidly charge the battery.
o Boost Stage: Maintains a controlled voltage to saturate the battery.
o Float Stage: Maintains the battery at full charge with minimal current.
Solar Charging Requirements
• Battery compatibility: The system is preconfigured for LiFePO4 battery and automatically adjusts charge parameters.
• Panel configuration: Ensure the solar panel array provides sufficient voltage (12V system requires minimum 15V open
circuit voltage).
• Maximum output power: The controller supports up to 660W of solar input power.
System Requirements for Proper Operation
To ensure optimal performance, confirm the following:
• Anderson plug wiring must be correctly installed with appropriate fusing.
• Ignition trigger (from the trailer connector’s Pin 4) must be activated to enable alternator charging.
• For vehicles with smart alternators, the ignition trigger is mandatory for proper charging recognition by the vehicle’s ECU.
See the
Understanding Alternator Types
section for details on alternator types, their impact on
battery charging, and best practices for integrating them with your caravan’s charging system.
DC-DC charger LED Indicators
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