Renogy 12V 40A DC-DC Charger with MPPT
SVT Score, Mid
A 12 V, 40 A charger that switches between alternator and up to 670 W of solar, in a 2.65 lb IP31 case with no app.
$206
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Usability
4.9 out of 10Renogy's manual rates it 616 W nominal output, on the 600 to 749 W rung, so it scores 8 on capacity.
Renogy rates its maximum charging efficiency at 93 percent, so it scores 4 on efficiency.
It has a smart-alternator (Euro 6) mode that starts at 12.0 V and stops at 11.3 V, but those thresholds are fixed, so it scores 8 on operating range.
It takes up to 670 W of solar through MPPT but has no Bluetooth or communication port, an IP31 enclosure, no galvanic isolation and no parallel mode, so it scores 4 on features.
Better on featuresRenogy 50A IP67 DC-DC ChargerTakes up to 750 W of solar through MPPT. $409.99Scores 8.0Intertek lists the DCC30S and DCC50S siblings to UL 1741 and CSA C22.2 No. 107.1, but no certifier directory searched (Intertek, UL Product iQ, CSA, the CEC list, LabTest, TÜV SÜD, TÜV Rheinland and SGS) lists the RBC40D1S itself, so it scores 2 on verification.
Better on verificationRenogy DCC50S DC-DC ChargerIntertek's directory lists the RBC50D1S to UL 1741. $307.99Scores 8.0Renogy's product page, manual and warranty document all give 2 years for materials and workmanship, so it scores 3 on warranty and support.
Renogy sets warranty terms by model, for the original buyer only, and takes unused renogy.com orders back within 30 days, lithium batteries within 7.
Better on warranty & supportRenogy 50A IP67 DC-DC ChargerRenogy's product page backs it with a 5-year warranty. $409.99Scores 6.0$205.99 at renogy.com.
Either source, never both at once
The RBC40D1S is Renogy's 12 V 40 A DC-DC charger with MPPT, which charges a van or RV house battery from the alternator while driving or from solar when parked, one source at a time.
It suits a buyer with a 12 V van or car-camping build who wants alternator charging on the road and solar when parked from one small box, and who will not need both sources at once, phone monitoring or a splash-proof enclosure.
Strengths
- 616 W nominal output at 40 A
- Up to 670 W of solar through MPPT
- Smart-alternator mode starts at 12.0 V with the IGN wire
- Under 10 mA idle draw
- Solar or DC priority set with one button
Drawbacks
- Charges from one source at a timenever solar and alternator together
- No Bluetooth or communication port
- IP31 enclosure
- 93 percent maximum charging efficiency
Specs
- CapacityNot applicable
- AC OutputNot applicable
- System Voltage12 V
- Panel PowerNot applicable
- Charge Current40-49 A
- Safety ListingNone verifiable
- Cell TypeNot applicable
- Low-Temp ChargingNot applicable
- Warranty2 Years
- MonitoringNone
- Weight2.6 lb
At a glance
- 195 x 149 x 48 mm case
- 60 A input, 50 A output fuse
- 7 heat-shrink tubes in box
- LED status indicators
Renogy is the brand of RNG International, Inc., of Ontario, California, which Dr. Yi Li founded in 2010.
It sells direct from renogy.com and its Amazon and eBay brand stores, and through Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Camping World and Walmart's marketplace.
The Renogy 40A DC-DC Battery Charger with MPPT (RBC40D1S) is a 12 V charger rated 40 A and 616 W nominal output by Renogy's manual and US product page, which charges a house battery from either the starter battery or solar panels, switching between the two rather than combining them. It defaults to DC (alternator) priority; pressing SELECT sets solar priority, and it moves to the other source when the primary one falls below its threshold. Solar input runs 12 to 30 V (the US page says 10 to 30 V), up to 670 W and 45 A, through MPPT; starter-battery input runs 11.2 to 24 V. In smart-alternator mode, with the IGN signal wire fitted, it starts once the starter battery holds 12.0 V for 15 seconds and stops at 11.3 V (13.2 V and 12.7 V for a traditional alternator). Renogy rates maximum charging efficiency at 93 percent, idle draw under 10 mA and the enclosure IP31; it has LED status indicators and buttons but no communication port. Profiles cover AGM/sealed, gel, flooded and LiFePO4, and it starts charging an auxiliary battery from 7 V, which Renogy sells as lithium activation. It measures 195 x 149 x 48 mm (7.68 x 5.87 x 1.89 in), weighs 2.65 lb, and calls for a 60 A input fuse and a 50 A output fuse. The box holds the charger, 7 heat-shrink tubes and 4 mounting screws. Renogy sells it at $205.99.
Questions answered from our data
Is Renogy good?We list 58 Renogy products and score 58 of them. Their overall scores run from 3.7 to 6.6, with a median of 5.4, against a median of 5.4 for all 58 products we score.
How much does a DC-DC charger cost?The 7 dc dc chargers we list run from $141 to $410, with a median of $206.
Are DC-DC chargers UL listed?Two of the 7 dc dc chargers we list carry a UL 458-type listing we could look up by model.- Which DC-DC chargers have Bluetooth?Five of the 7 dc dc chargers we list offer Bluetooth monitoring, built in or as the maker's add-on.
