Van Kookz's video: Renogy Rover vs Renogy MPPT DC to DC Charge Contoller

Welcome back to the channel ya kooks! Today we are switching over our AGM batteries to lithium. ..::CHAPTERS::.. 00:00 - Welcome Back to the Channel 00:31 - SOK 206ah LifepO4 Battery Review 01:46 - Replacing old AGM Batteries with New SOK Lithium 03:15 - Epever Tracer Charge Controller After 5 Years 05:00 - Bluetti EB55 Power Station Quick Glance 06:06 - Installing SOK Lithium Batteries 06:25 - Troubleshooting Renogy DC to DC MPPT Charge Controller 08:45 - Renogy DC to DC MPPT Overview 09:43 - SOK Battery Review 11:03 - Reinstalling the Epever Tracer and Troubleshooting 11:42 - Renogy Rover Li Review 14:16 - Video Wrap-Up What is the Best for Your Application? We went with the SOK 206ah LifePO4 batteries which are actually an unbeatable deal for the price. Here is the Vankookz Affiliate link for SOK batteries. https://www.sokbattery.com/products/12v-206ah-lifepo4-lithium-iron-phosphate-battery-pack?ref=a7n6vo6o5a We are really happy with these batteries we went from 300ah of AGM to 412ah of Lithium and this should last us a long time. These batteries also have a 7-year warranty along with a BMS, replaceable cells, and free maintenance if ever needed. We had to pull out our old AGM batteries and also replace our old Epever Tracer as we couldn’t figure out how to reprogram it for lithium batteries. No matter what I did I could not get the batteries to charge from my panels. I was getting volts in my panel but not amps. We saved so much money going with the SOK batteries and they are built really nice and have amazing reviews. Check out this review by Will Prowse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU86EJXcTMM) Also in this video, I was excited to upgrade my charge controller to the Renogy MPPT with DC to DC charge controller (https://shrsl.com/3mv80). However, this unit only could charge the panels with a maximum input of 25 volts. After checking the voltage on my panel I realized my 300 Watt solar panel had a rating of 36 watts so this panel would not work for my system. I felt this Renogy DC to DC MPPT had some limitations other than the low 25 Volt input (Which is very low) it also doesn't have any built-in monitoring systems. You have to either buy the Bluetooth monitoring unit (https://amzn.to/3NNzN46) that you can only see on your phone. Or another monitoring unit (https://amzn.to/3NsjpGv) that you have to set up in the van. The unit is already $300 once you add on a monitor you are looking at around $350. The most frustrating thing was that I couldn't troubleshoot this unit until I ordered a monitoring system. Once I plugged it in I could get the error code and then discover that my PV voltage was too high. Once I discovered that this unit wouldn’t cut it for my application I went with the much cheaper Renogy Rover Li (https://amzn.to/3awrA67) which has a PV input of 100V and has an onboard monitoring screen built-in. I got this unit on sale over the memorial day for $109. I will still need to add a DC to DC charger so I can charge off my alternator when the engine is on as well but I can get the 20A unit and this will still be cheaper than the Renogy DC to DC MPPT. In the end, I am really happy with my Rover and it's very easy and straightforward to set up and most of all it has a built-in monitor. I will be installing a 20a DC to DC charger (https://amzn.to/3NonBXC) soon so check back to see how that goes. I also used the Blueetti EB55 portable power station in this video. I really like this unit. Here is the link https://amzn.to/3NoT9N9 Check back for more DIY van conversion videos. Lots of Love to You Kookz! Happy Building!