GV-5

5A MPPT Solar Charge Controller

Starting at $80

  • Made in USA
  • 12V, 65W (see specs)
  • Lead-acid, lithium batteries
  • Load output (LVD)
  • 99.85% peak electrical efficiency
  • High-speed MPPT
  • Advanced electronic protections
  • Tiny self-consumption (0.125mA)
  • IP40
  • Compact and lightweight
  • 10-Year Warranty
  • CE, FCC, and RoHS compliant
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Get the Ceramic Edge: Electrolytic-Free with 10-Year Warranty

Genasun’s GV-5 ceramic controllers set a new benchmark for reliability. Other controllers use electrolytic capacitors filled with fluid that boils off over time, causing degradation in performance and eventual failure. The GV-5 is entirely solid-state, built with only ceramic capacitors.  Genasun ceramic controllers have no fluid. They don’t wear out in the heat, and performance doesn’t degrade in the cold.  Backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, these controllers take reliability to a new level.

Widest Power Band

Efficiency matters.  Many controllers are designed simply to not burn up at high power levels, with no attention to efficiency in low light.  At Genasun, we understand that a watt-hour collected during bad weather is worth even more than a watt-hour collected on a sunny day.  We tuned our power conversion circuitry to maintain high efficiency over the full range of power levels.  Whereas other controllers may charge with efficiencies as low as 80% or worse in low light, the GV-5 maintains greater than 95% efficiency down to a few watts.  At even lower levels, the GV-5 engages a special mode that boosts electrical efficiency to an astounding peak of 99.8%, consuming less than 0.2 milliamps and charging down to mere milliwatts of solar input.   When other controllers have given up and are draining your battery, the GV-5 will still be charging.  

High-Speed MPPT: Always on Target

Not all Maximum Power Point Tracking controllers were created equal. Most use a “sweep and sleep” method that scans every 30-60 seconds. That’s okay for a clear day, but traditional controllers are constantly off target when used on vehicles or in changing cloud conditions – exactly when power is scarce and is needed the most. Genasun controllers adapt to changing light conditions 15 times every second. They are always on target, capturing every bit of available sunshine. Simply put, other controllers can’t keep up.

Tailored Lithium Charging Profiles Available

Our Lithium charging algorithms draw from a decade of experience building lithium battery packs for harsh environments. We’ve worked with every chemistry and have tailored charge profiles to help you get more capacity and cycle life from your battery pack.

Custom Voltages Available

Genasun stocks the GV-5 for lead-acid batteries and for a variety of lithium chemistries and cell configurations. If these standard configurations don’t work for your application, a custom charge profile can be programmed at the factory to match the specs of your lead-acid or Li battery. To order a Custom Voltage controller, hit the “Choose Options” button next to the GV-5-Pb-CV or GV-5-Li-CV SKU below, and select the custom voltages from the drop-down menu. Further options and bulk discounts are available by special order.

Also Available as a Plug-In Module

For high-volume or tightly integrated applications, check out our GV-5-MOD plug-in solar charge controller module.

Surviving the Storm with Low Power Burn

Every controller uses power. While a typical charge controller burns 5-25mA, the Genasun GV-5 uses a scant 0.125mA in standby, and less than 0.2mA when charging in low light. That slow burn is perfect for waiting out a snow-covered panel, or a few bad weeks of clouds.

Partial Shade – In-City Applications

Genasun controllers shine in partial shade. The 50% power increase from Genasun’s advanced MPPT is often enough to prevent system downtime from partial shade. From street signs and tree branches, to coffee cups and stickers placed on panels by pedestrians, Genasun MPPT keeps partially shaded solar panels generating more power than any other controller.

Complete Power Management

The GV-5 does it all. Plug in the solar panel, connect the battery, and connect the load. The GV-5 will automatically maximize the solar power collected. The advanced battery charging algorithm will maximize the lifetime and capacity of your battery system, whether lithium or lead-acid. The load output will provide smooth, filtered power without the AC chatter found in lesser controllers and protect the battery from over-discharge. This little black box does it all, efficiently and consistently.

Steady Power Source

Life is unpredictable. PWM controllers amplify that unpredictability. A small amount of shade can drop PWM power output to 2/3’s of what a Genasun MPPT controller can draw from the same panel. By constantly adapting to changing light conditions, Genasun’s advanced MPPT controllers provide a steadier source of power, keeping your system running in uncertain weather.

No Fans. No Relays.

Fans get clogged with dust and dirt. Relays eventually stop switching. Genasun controllers use advanced electrical design that obsoletes these parts. With no moving parts to wear out, Genasun controllers outlast the competition.

Radio Silence

Most MPPT solar charge controllers broadcast radio frequency (RF) noise from the DC/DC conversion circuit. Unfiltered inputs and outputs waste energy and interfere with nearby or attached electronics. Genasun worked to eliminate RF emissions from our line of charge controllers. During third-party testing of the GV-5 for FCC compliance, the test engineer asked us, “Is it on?” Mission accomplished.

Plug and Play, with Advanced Error Protections

We all make mistakes. People plug panels in backwards. Rodents chew through cables and cause short circuits. Stuff happens. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Advanced built-in electronic protections will instantly cut power to a short circuit at the input or load. The controller will automatically test to see when the short is removed. Once it’s clear, normal operation will resume.

Mission-Critical Reliability

Genasun controllers are deployed to the most remote locations on earth. They endure years at sea, harsh Antarctic winters, freezing conditions in the upper atmosphere on solar powered airplanes, and in a few off-the-map locations. Made in the USA, each controller is put through complete electrical testing to ensure reliability. If you need mission-critical power, this is your controller.

Available in Bulk for OEM Applications

While the GV-5 ships in individual packaging by default, we can also ship in bulk packs of 50 for OEM volume applications.  Bulk packs minimize packaging waste, labor, and shelf space requirements. Please contact us for more information.

1. Panel Isc. Maximum input power and maximum input voltage requirements must also be respected. 
2. Maximum current that the controller could draw from an unlimited
source. This specification is not intended for determining PV input.
3: If the battery voltage drops below this point, the controller will attempt to run an absorption cycle. Otherwise, it will charge to the float voltage.
4. 16V input, 13V output, GV-5 vertically (wall) mounted
5. At high ambient temperatures and input voltages, the GV-5 will automatically limit charging power to keep its internal temperature to a level safe for long-term operation. When limiting in this manner, the LED will display the "Current Limit" blinks. Moving the GV-5 to a cooler location or providing increased airflow may increase charging power.
SpecificationsGV-5-Pb-12V
Rated Panel Power:65W
Rated Battery (Output) Current:5A
Nominal Battery Voltage:12V
Max Input Voltage:27V
Recommended Max Panel Voc at STC:22V
Min Battery Voltage for Normal Operation:7.2V
Trickle Charge to Recover Dead (0V) Battery:Yes
Max Input Short Circuit Current:15A
Continuous Rated Load Current:5A
Max Input Current:29A
Electrical Efficiency:96% – 99.85% typical
Operating Consumption:0.150mA (150µA)
Standby Consumption:0.125mA (125µA)
Charge Profile:Multi-Stage with Temperature Compensation
Bulk Voltage:14.4V
Absorption Voltage:14.2V
Absorption Time:2 hours
Float Voltage:13.8V
Re-Absorb (Re-Bulk):312.5V
Load Disconnect (LVD)/Reconnect Voltage:11.4V / 12.5V
Battery Temperature Compensation:-28mV/°C (referred to 25°C)
MPPT Tracking Speed:15Hz
Operating Temperature:-40°C – 85°C
Max Full Power Operating Ambient:4,545°C
Tracking Efficiency:99+% typical
Environmental Protection:IP40, Conformal Coating, Nickel-Plated Brass & Stainless Hardware
Connection:6-position terminal block for 12 – 30 AWG wire
Certifications:CE, FCC, and RoHS
Weight:2.8oz (80g)
Dimensions:4.3" x 2.2" x 1.14" (11 cm x 5.6 cm x 2.9 cm)
Warranty:10 years

All SKUs
GV-5-Li-10.7V
GV-5-Li-12.5V
GV-5-Li-14.2V
GV-5-Li-16.7V

1. Panel Isc. Maximum input power and maximum input voltage requirements must also be respected. 
2. Maximum current that the controller could draw from an unlimited source. This specification is not intended for determining PV input.
3. 16V input, 13V output, GV-5 vertically (wall) mounted
4. At high ambient temperatures and input voltages, the GV-5 will automatically limit charging power to keep its internal temperature to a level safe for long-term operation. When limiting in this manner, the LED will display the "Current Limit" blinks. Moving the GV-5 to a cooler location or providing increased airflow may increase charging power.
SpecificationsGV-5-Li-10.7V-SPGV-5-Li-10.7VGV-5-Li-12.5VGV-5-Li-14.2VGV-5-Li-16.7V
Battery Type:9V (3S) LiFePO49V (3S) LiFePO43S Li-ion12V (4S) LiFePO44S Li-ion
Rated Panel Power:20W50W55W65W75W
Rated Battery (Output) Current:2A5A5A5A5A
Max Input Voltage:27V27V27V27V27V
Recommended Max Panel Voc at STC:22V22V22V22V22V
Min Battery Voltage for Normal Operation:7.2V7.2V7.2V7.2V7.2V
Trickle Charge to Recover Dead (0V) Battery:YesYesYesYesYes
Max Input Short Circuit Current:12A5A5A5A5A
Continuous Rated Load Current:5A5A5A5A5A
Max Input Current:23A9A9A9A9A
Electrical Efficiency:94% – 99.85% typical94% – 99.85% typical95% – 99.85% typical96% – 99.85% typical96% – 99.85% typical
Operating Consumption:0.150mA (150µA)0.150mA (150µA)0.150mA (150µA)0.150mA (150µA)0.150mA (150µA)
Standby Consumption:0.125mA (125µA)0.125mA (125µA)0.125mA (125µA)0.125mA (125µA)0.125mA (125µA)
Charge Profile:CC/CVCC/CVCC/CVCC/CVCC/CV
CV Voltage:10.7V10.7V12.5V14.2V16.7V
Load Disconnect (LVD)/Reconnect Voltage:8.2V / 9.0V8.2V / 9.0V9.3V / 10.5V11.0V / 12.0V12.4V / 14.0V
Battery Temperature Compensation:DisabledDisabledDisabledDisabledDisabled
Operating Temperature:-40 °C – 85 °C-40 °C – 85 °C-40 °C – 85 °C-40 °C – 85 °C-40 °C – 85 °C
Max Full Power Operating Ambient:3,445°C45°C45°C45°C45°C
Tracking Efficiency:99+% typical99+% typical99+% typical99+% typical99+% typical
MPPT Tracking Speed:15Hz15Hz15Hz15Hz15Hz
Environmental Protection:IP40, Conformal Coating, Nickel-Plated Brass & Stainless HardwareIP40, Conformal Coating, Nickel-Plated Brass & Stainless HardwareIP40, Conformal Coating, Nickel-Plated Brass & Stainless HardwareIP40, Conformal Coating, Nickel-Plated Brass & Stainless HardwareIP40, Conformal Coating, Nickel-Plated Brass & Stainless Hardware
Connection:6-position terminal block for 12 – 30 AWG wire6-position terminal block for 12 – 30 AWG wire6-position terminal block for 12 – 30 AWG wire6-position terminal block for 12 – 30 AWG wire6-position terminal block for 12 – 30 AWG wire
Weight:2.8oz (80g)2.8oz (80g)2.8oz (80g)2.8oz (80g)2.8oz (80g)
Dimensions:4.3" x 2.2" x 1.14"
(11 cm x 5.6 cm x 2.9 cm)		4.3" x 2.2" x 1.14"
(11 cm x 5.6 cm x 2.9 cm)		4.3" x 2.2" x 1.14"
(11 cm x 5.6 cm x 2.9 cm)		4.3" x 2.2" x 1.14"
(11 cm x 5.6 cm x 2.9 cm)		4.3" x 2.2" x 1.14"
(11 cm x 5.6 cm x 2.9 cm)
Warranty:10 years10 years10 years10 years10 years
Certifications:CE, FCC, and RoHSCE, FCC, and RoHSCE, FCC, and RoHSCE, FCC, and RoHSCE, FCC, and RoHS

GV-5 Unboxing

Lead-Acid
SKU Description Price Quantity
GV-5-Pb-12V-RETAIL

For 12V lead-acid batteries

 $85
GV-5-Pb-CV-RETAIL

For lead-acid batteries with custom charge profile

 $110
Lithium
SKU Description Price Quantity
GV-5-Li-10.7V-RETAIL

For 9V (3S) LiFePo4 batteries

 $104
GV-5-Li-10.7V-SP-RETAIL

2A; For 9V (3S) LiFePo4 batteries

 $104
GV-5-Li-12.5V-RETAIL

For 11.1V (3S) Li-ion LiPo/LiCoO2 batteries

 $104
GV-5-Li-14.2V-RETAIL

For 12V (4S) LiFePO4 batteries

 $104
GV-5-Li-16.7V-RETAIL

For 14.8V (4S) Li-ion LiPo/LiCoO2 batteries

 $104
GV-5-Li-CV-RETAIL

For lithium batteries with custom charge profile

 $135

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