Renogy DC-DC charger power light

[dieseltdi]

Is the power light on the charger supposed to be on ALL time or only when triggered by the D+ trigger wire? Mine seems to be not functioning properly and is draining the starter battery. thought I would check before going through the trouble of trying to send the thing back.
_________________
When a clown moves into a palace he doesn’t become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb

Those who will willingly sacrifice freedom for security, deserve neither.

Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion with Coast Mt. Hightop - SKYE
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list!

[blyhigh]

If you mean the red light, mine only comes on when there is a charge either from the starter battery (via the alternator) or my solar panel. Otherwise, it's not on.
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'89 Syncro Westy

[dublife13]

I noticed mine was on all the time as well, and had a battery drain last winter, but didnt put it together, and am not sure that was my main drain.

I noticed the light came on a few months after installing the DCDC over 3 years ago and I think was on most of the time, I wasnt really paying attention.

After charging the battery this past winter I dont think I had any other issues with a drain since, but I have also added a roof top solar so it is be topped off as needed.

I did notice an issue between the app, bluetooth monitor, and the shunt where the app will not display current charging amps/volts or show which charging system is in use. I think I am going be ditching the renogy system for Victron or another better quality product.

[dieseltdi]

its the green led that is supposed to indicate that the thing is charging. As I understand it, that light shouldn't come on unless the system has been energized by the D+. I have also noticed that the thing seems to turn on and off on its own. I can hear the fans come on, run for a period and then go off all without any input from the D+. I guess I will be packaging it up and sending it back.
_________________
When a clown moves into a palace he doesn’t become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb

Those who will willingly sacrifice freedom for security, deserve neither.

Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion with Coast Mt. Hightop - SKYE
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list!

[dublife13]

How long have you had yours? Do you know how long they offer support?

[crazyvwvanman]

You might use a voltmeter to check that you aren't somehow feeding a spurious voltage to the D+ input when you shouldn't be.

Mark

[dieseltdi]

The D+ wire is coiled up and not attached to anything. I even tried applying 12 volts to it and nothing changed. Seems it is a bad unit.
_________________
When a clown moves into a palace he doesn’t become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb

Those who will willingly sacrifice freedom for security, deserve neither.

Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion with Coast Mt. Hightop - SKYE
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list!

[blyhigh]

This vid explains the lights pretty well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtAUrS4zNSA
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'89 Syncro Westy

[dieseltdi]

Mine is just the DC-DC charger without the solar. I bought it from an ebay auction and the seller is no longer listed so I just got a new one. They discontinued the version I purchased so the dealer is sending me the new version for the same price. The newer version doesn’t require the D+ wire, it senses the charge through the battery as long as you don’t have one of the new “smart” alternators. The newer version only requires the D+ for the smart alts.
_________________
When a clown moves into a palace he doesn’t become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb

Those who will willingly sacrifice freedom for security, deserve neither.

Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion with Coast Mt. Hightop - SKYE
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list!

[DanHoug]

[dieseltdi]

I currently don't use a battery maintainer much but either way, I am looking at using a cut off for the positive wire from the battery to the DC-DC charger so I can just shut it off when it isn't needed. I know that the charger is supposed to monitor the battery it is charging and shut down but why trust it. Of course the BMS on the Li battery should prevent overcharging also as a second line of defense but......
_________________
When a clown moves into a palace he doesn’t become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb

Those who will willingly sacrifice freedom for security, deserve neither.

Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion with Coast Mt. Hightop - SKYE
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list!

[dieseltdi]

Just wanted to update everyone on this situation. I received the new Renogy DC-DC charger and installed it today. As I mentioned, it doesn't have the D+ wire unless you have a smart alternator which obviously I don't . I watched it today and it will NOT start charging until it senses 13.5 volts coming from the alternator to the battery, only then will it begin to charge. When you shut off the car, it takes a bout 15-20 seconds or so for it to shut down. Not enough time to cause problems with the starter battery. It is a smaller form factor and uses extruded aluminum fins to dissipate heat rather that noisy fans.

Before

After

_________________
When a clown moves into a palace he doesn’t become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb

Those who will willingly sacrifice freedom for security, deserve neither.

Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion with Coast Mt. Hightop - SKYE
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list!