CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
12/8/24 6:00 p.m.

The wire to my Renogy battery monitor has broken, and I'm not sure what it is. One forum (LINK) said it's a "12 Inches Length 2.54mm Pitch 5 Pin Female to Female​" but when I search that, a bunch of stuff comes up and I'm not sure which to buy. Any ideas?

Here are some pics, sorry for the giant size.

And the other end:

 

adam525i
adam525i GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
12/8/24 6:09 p.m.

It looks like a JST connector to me.

Edit -  something like this might work for you. The only thing I'd be concerned about is in your pictures the centre wire looks thicker too me and there are two black wires (another clue), it may be that the actual wire is 2 pair shielded cable (likely 20 awg or smaller) and the middle is the shield twisted together with some small heat shrink over it. You'd need to strip back the heat shrink to confirm but if this is for communication that could be important even though it is quite short.

It might not hurt to reach out to Renogy and see if they can send a replacement.

bbbbRASS
bbbbRASS Reader
12/8/24 7:35 p.m.

It is JST, and looks like a shunt there. $10 from the big river

CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
12/8/24 8:52 p.m.

Awesome thanks! I wish I could find one that is shorter... like a foot, I'll look tomorrow now that I know its a JST.

Ya'll are the best!

Appleseed
Appleseed MegaDork
12/8/24 9:05 p.m.

If bbbbRASS's link doesn't pan out, JST is used in scads of RC hobby connections, especially with LiPo batteries. Hobby supply sites are a good source. Ebay can also get you a pigtail once you are sure of the size.

CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
12/9/24 10:33 a.m.

Just read the reviews from the Amazon linked option and saw this: 

"This is not camways fault. Renogy indicated that this cable would work with their battery monitor as renogy doesn’t sell replacement cables. It does not work with Renogy."

Hmmmm... any ideas?

bbbbRASS
bbbbRASS Reader
12/9/24 10:48 a.m.

How good are you at soldering, or where are you located? Send me your broken wire, I fix and send back? I would still take a shot on that Amazon one. There shouldn't be any kind of resistor in that wire, so I can't see why it wouldn't work. 

CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
12/9/24 2:49 p.m.

I don't have my soldering iron with me, otherwise I would try it. My neighbor might have one.

I am in Kirksville, MO. Where are you? Depending on shipping costs, I'd be willing to explore the idea of sending it to you. 

From what I am reading and what I can see in the images it sounds like the connector is the issue-- it doesn't fit in the slot on the shunt. 

CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
12/10/24 10:30 a.m.

I reached out to Renogy and they don't sell the wire. They did give me this diagram if that's helpful at all. 

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
12/10/24 10:56 a.m.
CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
12/10/24 2:55 p.m.

Oh maybe! It's hard to tell if those connectors will work, they all look a little different from what I currently have, but maybe... I'm gonna take another look at the connectors I have to see.

 

bbbbRASS
bbbbRASS Reader
12/10/24 3:20 p.m.

I'm in SC. I forgot, Renogy (and RichSolar, and the other label) did move the little slots some. I would use a dremel and some kapton tape and shove it in there, making sure the wiring matches that pin up. Looks like it just flips over, but a few wago could make that happen easily. Sorry I'm not closer. Ask on the DIYSolar board, and you can probably find someone close to assist if no one here can.

CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
12/10/24 5:05 p.m.

Thanks! I'll try DIY solar. 

I went and looked again so here's another pic. The two connectors are exactly the same. If I could find the same connector, maybe I could cut these wires and jam them into it. I'm just not sure how to do that... like how do you crimp them in there?
 

bbbbRASS
bbbbRASS Reader
12/13/24 2:34 p.m.

I can't pull up the right kit now, but one like this should do it. Find your exact wires size and mm width of connector. 

CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
12/14/24 1:25 p.m.

Thanks! Someone on DIY Solar has offered to fix it with a similar kit and the necessary crimper. 

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
Gq9FZpBXqEoEZKSHVxv9sCOY8QoFgD51LUZRC4giYpxREErpHvnfEanEayS0fcB7