40 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller

A 40 amp MPPT controller for larger 12 and 24 volt banks, with 8AWG terminals and the same die-cast body as the 30 amp unit. It picks up system voltage automatically and charges sealed, gel, flooded or lithium batteries without a chemistry selector switch.

Worth knowing before you order: Rich Solar has since released the BRAVO 40, which we stock at the same price as this controller. This one remains in production and in stock, but if you are not matching existing equipment, look at both.

Why this controller

• Maximum power point tracking, so panel voltage above battery voltage is converted into charge current rather than thrown away — the gain is largest in cold, bright conditions.
• Rich Solar quotes tracking efficiency up to 99 percent and peak conversion efficiency of 98 percent. Both are best-case figures, not continuous ratings.
• 40 amps of charge current with 8AWG maximum terminal size, which is the practical limit on how much copper you can land on it.
• Automatic 12V/24V detection, with sealed, gel, flooded and lithium support and recovery charging for over-discharged lithium packs.
• Full electronic protection: reverse polarity, overcharge, over-discharge, overload, short circuit and reverse current.
• Cast aluminium housing cooled by convection, with no fan to fail.

Installation and limits

• Rich Solar does not publish a maximum PV array wattage for this model, unlike the 20 and 30 amp units. As a rough guide the 40 amp charge rating works out near 520 watts on a 12 volt bank and 1040 watts at 24 volts, but treat that as arithmetic rather than a manufacturer figure and confirm with Rich Solar before sizing an array to the limit.
• Maximum solar input is 100 VDC and maximum PV short-circuit current is 50 A.
• Charge output is 40 amps but the load output is only 20 amps. Any DC circuit run from the load terminals must be sized against 20 amps.
• Working range is -31°F to +113°F. As with the rest of this series, the upper limit deserves a check against a closed compartment in summer.
• The body is 9.37 x 6.81 x 2.85 inches and weighs 4.41 lb, identical to the 30 amp model. Upgrading between the two needs no change to the mounting.
• Bluetooth monitoring is available through the RS232 port using the separately sold BT-1 module.

Warranty

• Rich Solar covers MPPT controllers for two years.
• The term is prorated: full replacement in year one, then 50 percent coverage in year two with the customer paying the balance.
• Original purchaser only; the warranty does not transfer with the equipment.