Go Power, a division of Valterra Products, added three new OE solar controller products to its line. The energy solutions product supplier launched two maximum power point tracking (MPPT) solar controllers and a Bluetooth-capable remote. The new solar controllers, available in 10- and 30-amp models, also fully support RV-C.
“These controllers effectively add another level of convenience to the RVer. Now OEMs are able to integrate Go Power solar into their ‘smart’ RV setups, giving end users more flexibility, less hassle and a shorter learning curve for our products,” Go Power Marketing Manager Eva Mitic said.
Solar Controllers
The 10-amp MPPT with RV-C is a single-battery solar controller, while the 30-amp model provides dual battery outputs to allow charging both an RV starter battery and a house battery. Both controllers come pre-programmed for flooded, gel, absorbed glass mat (AGM) and lithium batteries and protect against reverse polarity, over temperature, over current and over voltage. The controllers are designed to function at ambient temperatures between -31 to +95 degrees Fahrenheit/-35 to +35 degrees Celsius with minimal derating.
Go Power product developers decided on MPPT controllers rather than pulse width modulated (PWM) controllers because of the increased charging efficiencies, according to Mitic. MPPT controllers can convert excess voltage to amperage, reducing power loss during charging and the battery’s overall charge time.
Solar Controller Remote
The remote for the RV-C-compatible solar controllers identifies and displays voltage, current, battery state of charge, total charge/discharge and minimum/maximum voltage all in real-time. Its Bluetooth capabilities allow for added user connectivity.
RV-C
RV-C is a protocol language that allows an RV’s different devices and appliances to connect and communicate with each other. Rather than each unit having its own control panel, RV-C enables all of the smart gadgetry within an RV to be managed from one central panel.
“RV-C is essentially a ‘smart home’ system for RVs, allowing users to control everything on their RV from one interface,” Mitic said. “Using this system, it’s possible to monitor and control Go Power solar controllers, among other systems, from that interface, and gives the RV a much cleaner looking interior that isn’t cluttered with switches, monitors and controls.”
The process to integrate RV-C capabilities into Go Power’s solar controllers took almost a year. The communication component also added dozens of hours of testing during product development.
“I participated in an RVIA initiative to add compatibility testing profiles to RV-C and led the changes made to the solar controller section during this effort,” Go Power Product Manager Kyle Cameron said. “Now I am part of a group defining how compatibility testing will be performed.”
Go Power will start filling orders for the new products in mid-August. The products will be available to OEMs across the U.S. and Canada. Several manufacturers, including Jayco, are either testing or have begun ordering Go Power’s RV-C-capable solar controllers.
Go Power offers a 5-year warranty on all three products.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated for accuracy. An earlier version indicated that Go Power’s new solar controllers were the first on the market to fully support RV-C.
