Renogy BT-1 vs BT-2 Bluetooth Modules and the Communication Hub

Best for
Growing RS485 systems with multiple devices

Best for
Rover Elite, lithium battery or inverter owners

The Renogy BT-2 Bluetooth Module RJ45 Communication listing describes the newer-generation module that Renogy positions as the step beyond the BT-1. It connects to a component’s RJ45 communication port and works with Renogy RS485 products, which the listing names as the Rover Elite MPPT Solar Charge Controller, Smart Lithium Batteries, the Pure Sine Wave Inverter with Power Saving Mode and the Dual DC-DC MPPT Battery Charger.

Through the DC Home app, available on the App Store and Google Play, you get real-time and historical data and can check and adjust system parameters. The listing specifies Bluetooth 4.2 with BLE and a signal range of up to 82 feet, so you can sit inside a van or cabin and watch the solar input while a game session runs. For anyone running a TV, console or laptop from a battery bank, knowing the state of charge before a long session is exactly the kind of insight that prevents a surprise shutdown.

One wording issue: the listing says the module is powered by solar energy, while also describing an ultra-low-power chip connected to the RS485 port. In practice it draws its small amount of power from the connected device’s port, as the newer BT-2 listing confirms. It comes with a 1-year material and workmanship warranty. If your controller has an RJ12 port instead, look at the BT-1 listings below.

• RJ45 connection for Renogy RS485 devices
• Real-time and historical data in DC Home
• Bluetooth 4.2 with BLE, up to 82ft
• 1-year warranty

Best for
PWM or Rover 60A/100A via RS232

Best for
Wanderer and Adventurer PWM controller owners

The Renogy BT-1 Bluetooth Module for PWM is built for Renogy PWM charge controllers, specifically the Wanderer and Adventurer, using an RJ12 RS232 port. It lets you monitor system data and change parameters through the DC Home app, just like the BT-2, but only on controllers with that older connector.

The listing describes an embedded Bluetooth chip designed for low energy use, Bluetooth 4.2 with BLE, an 82 foot range and IP54 protection. It is powered directly through the RJ12 port, and two LED lights show power and Bluetooth connection status, which is handy when you are troubleshooting in a dim garage or trailer. The listing’s power source line says solar powered, but its own feature list makes clear it runs from the port.

The item type name also mentions Rover compatibility without saying which Rover models. The newer BT-1 listing below is more specific and warns that the Rover 20A, 30A and 40A MPPT controllers need a BT-2 instead. If you own one of those, skip this module.

• RJ12 RS232 connection for Wanderer and Adventurer
• IP54 protection
• Two LEDs for power and connection status
• Up to 82ft Bluetooth range

The Renogy BT-1 Bluetooth Module for Solar is the more detailed BT-1 listing and the one we would read first if you are unsure about compatibility. It clearly states that it works with Renogy PWM controllers, naming the Wanderer 10A and 30A and the Adventurer Li 30A, plus the Rover 60A and 100A MPPT through the RS232 port. It also states plainly that it is not for the Rover 20A, 30A or 40A MPPT, which should use the BT-2.

The listing includes a 5 meter (16.4 foot) cable, IP54 dust and splash resistance and an operating range of -20°C to 85°C. Power draw is listed at 0.04W standby and 0.05W operating, and it communicates at a fixed 9600bps over RS232. That tiny draw matters on small off-grid systems, where every watt spent on monitoring is a watt not powering your screen or console.

It suits PWM owners who want a clearly documented module with a long cable, so the controller can sit in a battery compartment while the module is placed where Bluetooth reaches the cabin. If you plan to add a smart battery or inverter later, those use RS485, so a BT-2 is the better long-term pick.

• Works with Wanderer 10A/30A, Adventurer Li 30A, Rover 60A/100A via RS232
• 5m (16.4ft) cable included
• 0.04W standby, 0.05W operating
• IP54, -20°C to 85°C

The Renogy BT-2 Bluetooth Module for Solar, model RCM-BT2, has the broadest compatibility list here. The listing names the Rover 20A, 30A, 40A, 60A and 100A, the Rover Lite 60A, Renogy 20A and 40A DC-DC battery chargers, 30A and 50A DC-DC chargers with MPPT, and the RCM-HUB. It also mentions Rover Elite MPPT controllers, smart lithium batteries and pure sine wave inverters.

In the DC Home app, the listing describes real-time tracking of solar power, battery voltage and inverter status, historical logs, custom battery voltage alerts and multi-device management, with 30-day performance reports mentioned. Voltage alerts are a genuinely useful feature if you run a gaming setup off a battery: you can get a warning before the pack drains far enough for the inverter to cut out. Pair it with a Renogy LiFePO4 battery and you get battery data in the same app.

The module draws 0.04W in standby from the RJ45 port, uses an IP54 housing and operates from -4°F to 185°F. It includes a 16.4 foot communication cable, and the listing mentions RS485 daisy-chaining for multi-controller systems plus FCC/ISED certification. The only reason to skip it is an RJ12 PWM controller, where the BT-1 is required.

• Compatible with Rover 20A to 100A, Rover Lite 60A, DC-DC chargers and RCM-HUB
• Custom battery voltage alerts in DC Home
• 16.4ft cable, IP54 housing
• 0.04W standby draw

Best for
Monitoring several devices with one BT-2

The Renogy Communication Hub RJ45 for Multiple devices solves a specific problem: once you have a charge controller, a smart battery and an inverter, you would otherwise need a separate BT-2 for each. The hub lets you connect multiple Renogy devices with RJ45 ports and RS485 communication to a single BT-2, so the DC Home app shows everything together.

The listing says it supports both RS485 and CAN protocols, with green LEDs showing which protocol is active. It measures 6.29 x 1.89 x 0.91 inches and weighs 125 grams, in a plastic enclosure, and the highlights mention RJ45 power, an 82 foot range and use with batteries, MPPT controllers and inverters. The Bluetooth range figure applies to the BT-2 you connect, since the hub itself relies on that module.

It is only useful if you already have or are buying a BT-2. For a system that has grown to include a Renogy 400W solar blanket, a controller and a battery bank, it keeps monitoring tidy. Single-device setups do not need it.

• Connects multiple RJ45 devices to one BT-2
• RS485 and CAN protocol support
• Green LEDs show active protocol
• 6.29 x 1.89 x 0.91 inches, 125 g