The Renogy ONE is an all-in-one energy monitor and controller for off-grid electrical systems. It connects to compatible devices via Bluetooth and provides real-time data on their performance.
We have multiple Renogy devices in our van, and the Renogy ONE lets us monitor all of them in one convenient spot.
Solar Charge Controller – This device regulates incoming power from our solar panels as it enters the batteries. The Renogy ONE displays helpful information about the incoming solar, including how many volts/amps we’re currently getting, how much we’ve yielded in the past, and even what we can expect to get in the future.
Batteries – The batteries store all the power in our electrical system. The Renogy ONE tells us their present capacity (in percentage and amp hours) and can predict how long until the batteries are fully charged. It can even monitor the temperature of the batteries.
Inverter – The inverter converts DC power to AC. The Renogy ONE tracks incoming energy and tells us which devices are drawing the most power.
It has a 4” display with a touchscreen to easily navigate pages. The device itself is compact at 7.16” wide x 3.42” high.
You can also wire up to three different DC appliances directly to the back of the Renogy ONE and use the three panel switches on the right side of the device to turn those devices on and off.
The Mobile App
In addition to the Renogy ONE device, Quentin and I both have the Renogy DC Home app on our phones for easy remote monitoring. We can get real-time updates on all our Renogy devices, even when we’re away from the van. It also provides historical data on our incoming power, consumption, and product performance. It’s constantly monitoring our system and will even notify us if it detects a performance issue and give tips on how to resolve the problem. If you have appliances wired to the Renogy ONE, you can turn them on and off using the “scenes” tab on the mobile app.
Additional Features
The Renogy ONE can do a lot more if you purchase optional smart accessories.
Smart Plug – allows you to check the status of plugged appliances from anywhere. It gives peace of mind to people like me who worry they’ve forgotten to unplug appliances when they leave home.
Smart Relay – automatically turns on lights when a door is opened
Motion Sensor – instantly alerts you if any unexpected motion is detected
Door & Window Sensor – provides 24/7 security to doors and windows
Any combination of these smart accessories would be a great addition for anyone looking to double down on security and automation in their off-grid system.
Renogy ONE Installation
The Renogy ONE was a breeze to install. The following hardware is included with the device:
-(4) plate mounting screws
-(4) plate screws
-(1) 12v power cable
Step 1 – Connecting to Power
The power cable can be connected to a fuse box, bus bar, or directly to the battery. We wired the positive and negative cables to our fuse box. The other end of the power cable plugs into the back of the device itself. To turn the device on, press and hold the power button on the left side for about three seconds. We leave ours on 24/7 and it draws very little power.
Step 2 – Mounting
The device can be installed horizontally or vertically. The instruction booklet provides a template for easy installation. We cut it out and traced it onto our wood wheel well box and cut the hole.* Then it’s as simple as securing the base plate with the provided screws, securing the screen portion with another four screws, and popping the switches into place.
*We installed ours in the “garage” near the rest of the electrical system, but I’d recommend placing it in the living space for easier access. Do as I say, not as I do, right?
Step 3 – Connecting Devices
You can either hardwire each device or connect them via Bluetooth. All our devices have built-in Bluetooth capabilities or Bluetooth modules, so we went with that route. Some of the older devices require the hardwire method. On the main screen on the Renogy ONE, connect to Wi-Fi and follow the steps on the screen to pair the devices.
Total install time: 30 minutes
In the simplest installations, the Renogy ONE monitors power acquisition and consumption, and teaches you to be more energy efficient. In advanced installations, it can create completely customizable home automation and security. It’s a cool little device with a lot of capabilities, and we think it makes a great addition to our off-grid energy system!
Drop us a comment or DM us on Instagram if you have any questions or just want to say hi! We’d love to hear from you 😊
Looking for more camper van conversion tutorials? We’ve outlined each step of the process on “How-To Guides” tab of this website.