Charge Controllers

Relay Driver

£ 147.15GBP · price may vary

Model: RD-1
Specifications: 1

Weight (kg)0.6

Overview

This is a logic module which provides system control features such as high/low voltage alarms, load control and generator start. It can drive four independent relays by reading digital date inputs from the Morningstar TriStar controller or by reading battery voltage when used in systems with other controllers. It can be DIN rail mounted and is fully programmable via RS232 port connection. Supplied pre-programmed with four commonly used settings. For use in 12 to 48V systems.

Specifications

Weight (kg)	0.6

What these specifications mean

Relay Driver is listed with 1 published specification from Morningstar, including weight (kg) of 0.6. Those figures are what decide whether this unit fits your system, so read them against the equipment it will connect to before comparing price.

For a charge controller, the figures that matter most are rated charge current in amps, which must exceed the array's short-circuit current with margin, maximum PV open-circuit voltage, the hard limit that must survive cold-morning Voc rise, supported battery voltages (12/24/36/48 V) and chemistries and conversion efficiency, typically 96–99% for a good MPPT unit. In any system with a battery and a separate array, the controller is what protects the most expensive component and determines how much of the array's output actually reaches storage.

What to check before ordering

The checks below apply to any charge controller. Run them against the specification table above — most disappointing solar purchases are compatible-on-paper units that fail one of these in practice.

Prefer a unit with temperature compensation or a battery temperature sensor if the bank lives somewhere that gets hot or cold.
Choose MPPT over PWM for anything beyond a very small array. An MPPT controller harvests roughly 20–30% more energy because it converts excess panel voltage into charge current instead of throwing it away.
Size the current rating from array watts divided by battery voltage, then add at least 25% margin for cold, bright conditions where panels exceed their rated output.
Check the maximum PV input voltage against the array's Voc at your coldest expected temperature, not at 25 °C — Voc rises as temperature falls, and exceeding the limit destroys the controller instantly.

Common mistakes

Sizing on rated array watts alone and ignoring the voltage ceiling, which is the most common way controllers are killed.
Using a PWM controller with a high-voltage grid-tie panel — the voltage mismatch wastes a large share of the panel's output.
Running the load output beyond its rating instead of wiring heavy loads directly to the battery through a fuse.

Price and availability

Relay Driver is listed at £ 147 (GBP). Solar pricing moves with supply, import duties and exchange rates, and distributors set their own margins, so treat this as a comparison reference and confirm the current figure before you order.

SolarBazaar compares equipment rather than selling it. Shortlist here on specification and price, then buy from an authorised distributor or installer in your country: warranty cover on solar hardware is normally honoured through the channel you bought from, so confirm who supports Morningstar locally before ordering.

Relay Driver — frequently asked questions

How much does Relay Driver cost?

Relay Driver is listed at £ 147 (GBP). The figure is indicative — solar prices move with supply, duties and exchange rates, and each distributor sets its own margin — so confirm the current price with a supplier before ordering.

What are the specifications of Relay Driver?

We hold 1 published specification for this charge controller, including weight (kg) 0.6. The full table is on this page, listed under model RD-1.

Who makes Relay Driver?

Relay Driver is a Morningstar product, listed under charge controllers with model reference RD-1. The Morningstar brand page lists the rest of its range so you can compare across the catalogue.

Is Relay Driver right for my system?

That depends on what it has to connect to. For a charge controller, check rated charge current in amps, which must exceed the array's short-circuit current with margin, maximum PV open-circuit voltage, the hard limit that must survive cold-morning Voc rise and supported battery voltages (12/24/36/48 V) and chemistries against the rest of your equipment before price enters the decision. Check the maximum PV input voltage against the array's Voc at your coldest expected temperature, not at 25 °C — Voc rises as temperature falls, and exceeding the limit destroys the controller instantly.

Where can I buy Relay Driver?

SolarBazaar lists and compares equipment rather than selling it. Use the specifications and price here to shortlist, then buy through an authorised distributor or installer — buying in-channel is what keeps the manufacturer's warranty valid.

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