Renolgy - Starter kit Positive vs Negative ground

[Waiter21]

I'm looking at this kit to use in my Coachmen Mirada. My thoughts are to use it to keep the coach battery charged so I can minimize use of the genny to charge the battery. My F53 chassi is negative ground.

I'm confused about the "Positive Ground Load" statement:

Please Note: This is a Positive Ground Charge Controller. If grounding is necessary, it must be completed on the positive line. If the controller is to be used on a vehicle which has battery negative on the chassis, loads connected to the controller must not have an electrical connection to the vehicle body.

The panel frames may be mounted to chassis ground, and the Solar controller may be mounted to the chassis ground.

Mono Starter Kit 100w | Renogy Store

This is a reasonably inexpensive starter kit. Any input from other users would be appreciated.

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[DonDee]

Why not use this one Renogy RV Kit 100W Monocrystalline Solar System | 100W Mono solar panel + 20A ViewStar charge controller +40Ft MC4 Adapter Kit + 16Ft Tray Cables + Mounting Z bracket


But don't pay that much for it.


I have the RV 200w kit and love it.

[Waiter21]

Don;

I looked at that one on the web site and was comparing it to the other unit.

The Negative ground one is $120 more and only 20 amp controller.

I'm trying to verify if the Plus / Minus ground is in reference to the "load" connection on the controller, I believe it is. The controller is not only a controller for the charging of batteries, but will also control loads that are connected to the "Load" terminals in an attempt not to discharge the batteries.

If I'm not using the "Load" connection, but only using the controller to charge battery, is the ground polarity significant?

I don't think it is but am looking for confirmation from other users.

[Blackhat6mike]

I would go the extra dollar and get the MPPT controller and neg ground system IMHO. There is a reason the PWM controllers are so much cheaper than the MPPT. I have used both and the MPPT is much more efficient.
I don't even know of any system that is pos ground anymore, although I'm sure they do exist but don't know WHY.
The "load" on the controller is an option if you want to run a seperate appliance such as a cooling fan, lights, etc. It can be programmed to run for preset times or just on/off. It is only an option and a good one, I may add.

[Imurphy907]

Not familiar with that unit, but in the telecom industry we use + grounding.

[Imurphy907]

The telecom industry uses positive ground systems.

[Blackhat6mike]

I just went out to the garage to look at the PWM controller that I didn't use and sure enough, it's positive ground. I hadn't noticed before you brought it up. I have no clue why it's pg

[Waiter21]

From the statement " loads connected to the controller must not have an electrical connection to the vehicle body."

I'm assuming that anything connected to the "LOADS" terminals on the controller must be isolate, i.e. they cannot use or in any way be connected to the vehicles chassis ground

[SkiSmuggs]

I don't think the Load feature is used much more than in the videos to show electricity is being produced. I also doubt that grounding is necessary. Just connect the positive to possitive and negative to negative.

[Blackhat6mike]

I use the "load" to power the two 4" muffin fans that cool my controller, and vent my inverter compartment when in use.

[Ray,IN]

Per their website the positive ground system will not work for your 12V negative ground vehicle. Instead you are directed to this one:If you want to connect this solar system to a negative ground battery bank, you can choose Renogy RV kit or Renogy Premium kit.

[DonDee]

Renogy Solar Panel 100W Watt Monocrystalline 12V Off Grid RV Boat - Overstock™ Shopping - The Best Prices on Alternative Energy

[Waiter21]

EXCELLENT

Just got this response back from Renolgy regarding using a positive ground controller on my negative ground MH.

Hello John,

As long as you do not connect anything in the load terminals, you can definetely use a 30 AMP PWM charge controller on your RV.

Best Regards,
EH

[Waiter21]

EXCELLENT

Just got this response back from Renolgy regarding using a positive ground controller on my negative ground MH.

Hello John,

As long as you do not connect anything in the load terminals, you can definetely use a 30 AMP PWM charge controller on your RV.

Best Regards,
EH



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