How To Reset Renogy Charge Controller?

One of the most significant roles of charge controllers is to prevent batteries from becoming overwhelmed by solar panel current.

However, issues and problems can occur, but in most cases, a simple reboot will solve them. 

PWM and MPPT controllers may be soft- or hard-reset using this method. Press the reset & power buttons simultaneously for a few seconds, then wait for the solar controller’s screen to flash and reboot. After waiting a few minutes, reconnect the remote solar and battery connections to perform a hard reset.

How To Reset Renogy Charge Controller

If your solar panel is not producing any electricity or is malfunctioning, it’s possible that your charge controller is to blame. We can all benefit from a soft reset right now. 

The procedure may alter somewhat from yours if you have a different kind of solar controller. For further information, refer to your operating handbook.

Step 1 –

The charging controller may be held in your hand.

Step 2 –

Hit the reset key. Reset and power buttons may need to be pressed simultaneously on specific controllers. Additionally, certain models need you to hit four buttons to operate them.

Step 3 –

For a short period, hold down the key. The controller display will flash and flicker as you release the buttons. The regular screen will appear in a few seconds.

Step 4 –

A soft restart is akin to a smartphone or computer is rebooted. If your controller suddenly stops functioning, this is the first thing you should do. And most of the time, it works.

Charge controller soft resets are helpful in many situations, although they aren’t always sufficient. If this is the case, you will need a factory reset.

Hard Reset –

Disconnecting the equipment from the original network is meant by a “hard reset.” The charge controller must be disconnected from the solar panel in this situation. All controllers are typically set up in this manner.

Step 1 –

You should perform a hard reset. Install solar panel covers if you have to do it during the day. Activate it by turning it over. You will notice four cables.

Another two are used to connect the solar panel’s positive and negative connector terminals with their corresponding positively and negatively battery cables.

Step 2 –

All four wires must be disconnected. Disconnect the solar panels and batteries in that order. Please keep track of where each one goes by labeling them.

Wait for a few minutes before trying again. Depending on the controller, this may take anywhere from 2 to 15 minutes. In this case, a few minutes of patience is required. Waiting a little longer is preferable.

Step 3 –

Reconnect all the cables in the same order, as they were detached.

After all the cabling is completed, a “soft reset” of the voltage regulator will occur.

This is all that is required to do a hard reset. No problems should arise if the connections are rewired correctly.

How To Know If My Renogy Solar Charge Controller Is Working?

Using a multicenter and the controller’s LED display; you may determine whether or not the solar controller is operating. The controller is probably malfunctioning if there is no power output or if the voltage output is meagre.

You may take many troubleshooting actions if you find that your solar regulator isn’t operating as it should.

What Is Wrong With My Solar Charge Controller?

Various factors might cause an issue with the solar charge controller. The first step is to identify the problem and work back to find the root.

When troubleshooting, remember that the issue might be with the batteries, panel, wiring, or even the controller. These are some of the most common issues:

• The controller is not charging the batteries.
• A problem with the solar panels, wiring, or input voltage might be the cause of the controller not charging the battery or the controller showing 0.0 amps while charging.
• Check to see whether the battery is fully charged before moving forward. If the charge is full or almost complete, the amps will decline.
• Check, sure, your solar cells are tidy, and there are no impediments. Panels with excessive dirt and grime will provide less power.
• Make that the power is coming in at the proper voltage. Based on the wattage of your solar panels, you might expect an output voltage of 18 volts or less.
• Look at your solar panels’ connections to your solar controller.
• Perform a factory reset because you still cannot figure out what is wrong.
• A new controller may be installed if that does not solve the problem.

The solar panels are not providing enough voltage to the controller. Because of not getting electricity from the solar panels, you may see a moon symbol on the controller during the daytime.

Disconnect the two cables from your controller’s solar panel at the rear. Analyze the voltage difference by using a multicenter. Depending on the quantity of light and the efficiency of your solar panels, this voltage should be approximately 18 volts.

Use a multicenter to test the finally done from each panel if the voltage is too low. In addition, they should be approximately 18 volts. One panel may have an issue with much lower power than the others.

If all of the panels are reading about 18 volts, inspect the wiring to determine whether there was a problem.

Renogy Charge Controller Error Codes

For off-grid solar applications, the Wanderer charge controller is a sophisticated device. This controller achieves increased battery life and improved system performance via highly efficient PWM charging. 

Batteries of 12V or 24V may be charged using this device. Self-diagnostics & electronic protection are included in the controller to guard against harm caused by installation errors or system flaws.

 Renogy Charge Wanderer Controller Battery Light Red Error

A solid red indicates over-discharged batteries LED on the charge controller’s battery indicator. The self-discharge of a lithium rechargeable battery may lead to this if it is left in a discharged condition for an extended period. 

Typically, a lithium batteries protective circuit shuts down the battery and renders it inoperable if it has been over-discharged. To reawaken a dormant Lithium battery, the Wanderer PWM battery charger has a reactivation option. A tiny charge current activates the lithium battery safety circuit, and if the correct cell voltage is obtained, a regular charge is started.

It is a sign that the battery is overheating if the charge light is blinking red slowly. It will automatically shut off if the temperature exceeds the controller’s specifications. Once it recognizes that the temperature has changed, the controller will return to work.

 Renogy Wanderer PV Light Not ON Error

If your Renogy Wanderer’s PV light won’t turn on, the most probable cause is reverse polarity. To begin troubleshooting, use a multimeter to determine whether you obtain a negative reading just at the PV terminal. If this is the situation, detach and swap the PV panels.

It Is Possible To Reset A Charge Controller In Other Ways?

Step 1 –

You may reset renogy solar charge controller error the charge controller to its factory default settings using the procedures outlined below. Remove the battery first from the charge controller, and then reconnect the two. 

Step 2 –

Afterward, it would help if you switched off the breaker or fuse. Connect the solar panels to the regulator after two minutes of waiting. Use a multicenter to verify the solar charge controller’s load output. Check to see whether it is set to 10A or more. Remove the positive battery wire from the controller as well.

Step 3 –

The charge controller may malfunction if your solar panel is not working correctly. Many problems may be resolved by doing a hard reset. To ensure you are doing everything right, follow the instructions in the handbook carefully. 

It might take such little as 2 minutes to reset the controller or as long as 15 minutes. It is also possible to hire an electrician if you are not sure how to do the job on your own. To get your solar charge controller back to working order, do the following steps:

• No-Fail Reset
• All of the buttons on the charging controller must be pressed at the same time.
• If you see this RESET icon, keep pressing it until it does.
• To do a reset, press the appropriate button.
• The input voltage, output voltage, and battery voltage are all parameters that may be reset.
• You might try hard resetting the charge controller if soft resetting does not fix the problem.
• Insert a DC power supply and follow the soft reset instructions above to clear the settings and stored data.

Matthew Joseph Nandirio

Eng. Matthew Joseph Nandirio is the Founder of walkingsolar.
After graduating from the University of Houston in 2002, matt started working as a Solar Electrical Engineer for several multi-national solar energy companies.
He has a wide range of experiences including solar system requirement analysis, planning, maintaining, debugging and even solar device development through research.
He now shares his 20 years of expertise through his articles on the walkingsolar website.
Further, he is also the author of two books on Solar Technology, “Solar Power for Villages” and “DIY Solar System for Dummies”.