{"product_id":"renogy-core-12v-20a-dc-dc-battery-charger","title":"Renogy CORE 12V 20A DC-DC Battery Charger","description":"\u003ch2\u003eShort Product Summary\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Renogy CORE 12V 20A DC-DC Battery Charger (DCC1212-20) is the long-running Renogy on-board charger that takes power from your tow vehicle's starter battery and delivers a proper three-stage 20 A charge to the house battery in your caravan, trailer or camper. DIP switches set the charge profile for lead-acid or lithium banks, and a D+ ignition connection makes sure it only ever works while the engine is running.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy This Product\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn alternator is built to top up a starter battery, not to charge a deep-cycle house bank. Connect a lithium battery straight to it and the alternator is asked for more current than it was designed to give, while the battery still never reaches a genuine 100% because the alternator's regulated voltage is simply not the right shape for LiFePO4. Lead-acid house banks suffer a slower version of the same problem: they sit permanently part-charged and sulphate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis charger sits between the two batteries and does the job properly. It pulls a controlled 20 A, isolates the two banks so your house loads can never flatten the vehicle, and runs bulk, boost and float stages to fill the battery rather than just splash charge at it. On a Cape Town to Kgalagadi run, or a week of moving camp along the West Coast, the hours you spend on gravel are your charging window – this is what converts them into usable amp-hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e20 A rated charge current\u003c\/strong\u003e – a steady, predictable charge rate the alternator can supply all day without complaint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree-stage charging (bulk, boost, float)\u003c\/strong\u003e – brings the house battery to a true full charge instead of leaving it permanently part-filled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFive DIP switches for battery profiles\u003c\/strong\u003e – select lead-acid or lithium and fine-tune boost and float voltages to suit your specific battery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWide 8–16 V DC input range\u003c\/strong\u003e – keeps charging through the voltage sag of long cable runs and heavy vehicle loads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBattery isolation built in\u003c\/strong\u003e – house loads are separated from the starter battery, so you never come back to a vehicle that will not turn over.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD+ ignition control\u003c\/strong\u003e – the unit only operates when the ignition circuit is live, so it cannot drain the vehicle while parked.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFull protection set\u003c\/strong\u003e – over-voltage, over-temperature and reverse polarity protection as standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRugged finned aluminium housing with cooling fans\u003c\/strong\u003e – built for permanent installation in a caravan nose cone or under-seat locker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOptional RTSDCC temperature sensor\u003c\/strong\u003e – compensates charge voltage for cold ambient temperatures on lead-acid banks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOff-road caravans and camping trailers with a 100–150 Ah house battery that needs charging on the move.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBakkie and 4x4 dual-battery installations where the auxiliary battery sits in a canopy or load bin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOwners replacing an old split-charge relay or voltage-sensitive relay with something that actually charges lithium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong gravel transits in the Karoo, Namaqualand and the Kalahari where driving time is the main source of charge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoats, panel vans and commercial vehicles running a separate 12 V service battery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLocal Support from 4Matt Campers\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e4Matt Campers is a Renogy dealer in Cape Town, serving customers throughout the Western Cape and delivering across South Africa. We fit these units into caravans and campers regularly, so we can advise on cable sizing, fuse placement, where the D+ ignition wire should pick up in your vehicle, and whether 20 A is enough for the battery bank you are running. Ask us before you buy if you are not sure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel\u003c\/strong\u003e – Renogy DCC1212-20\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSKU\u003c\/strong\u003e – RNG-DCC1212-20-G1-SA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransformation\u003c\/strong\u003e – 12 V to 12 V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInput battery voltage range\u003c\/strong\u003e – 8–16 V DC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRated charging current\u003c\/strong\u003e – 20 A\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCharging voltage range\u003c\/strong\u003e – lead-acid 13.2–14.7 V; lithium 12.6–14.6 V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRated maximum power\u003c\/strong\u003e – 250 W\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutput ripple at rated current\u003c\/strong\u003e – under 50 mV\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEfficiency\u003c\/strong\u003e – 90%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIdle power consumption\u003c\/strong\u003e – 0.4 A\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCharging stages\u003c\/strong\u003e – bulk, boost, float\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBattery types\u003c\/strong\u003e – AGM, gel, flooded, sealed lead-acid and lithium iron phosphate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature compensation\u003c\/strong\u003e – -3 mV\/°C per 2 V (not used with lithium)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOperating temperature (ambient)\u003c\/strong\u003e – -20°C to +50°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity\u003c\/strong\u003e – 95% or less, non-condensing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e – 211 x 175 x 68 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e – 1.3 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTerminal size\u003c\/strong\u003e – M6 x 10 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTerminal torque\u003c\/strong\u003e – 24.5–29.4 N·cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification\u003c\/strong\u003e – CE\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSolar input\u003c\/strong\u003e – none; this model charges from the alternator only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 x Renogy CORE 12V 20A DC-DC Battery Charger (DCC1212-20)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduct documentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBattery cable, ring terminals, fuses, fuse holders and the D+ ignition wiring are not supplied and are made up to suit your vehicle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOptional Fitment \u0026amp; Upgrade Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe D+ ignition connection is not optional. This charger will not power on or operate until the D+ terminal senses a 12 V signal from your vehicle's ignition circuit, and that connection usually needs to be spliced into an ignition-switched line or picked up from the fuse box. Budget for it at fitment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the DIP switches to match your battery chemistry before you connect anything – running a lithium bank on a lead-acid profile, or the reverse, will shorten its life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRenogy recommends 10 AWG or 8 AWG copper cable with runs of no more than 3 metres, and fusing on both the input and output sides close to the batteries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd the optional Renogy RTSDCC temperature sensor if you run a lead-acid house bank in cold conditions. It must not be used with lithium batteries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMount it in a dry, well-ventilated location. It uses cooling fans and needs clear air around the housing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you need solar and alternator charging from one box, look at the Renogy DC-DC chargers with built-in MPPT instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFitment at our Cape Town workshop can be arranged – ask us when you order.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eComplete Your Setup\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBuild the rest of the system around it: browse our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lithium-batteries\"\u003elithium batteries\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/solar-charge-controllers\"\u003esolar charge controllers\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/solar-panels\"\u003esolar panels\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/electrical-accessories\"\u003e12V electrical accessories\u003c\/a\u003e, or view the complete \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/renogy\"\u003eRenogy range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this charger need an ignition wire?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The D+ terminal must see a 12 V signal from the vehicle's ignition circuit or the unit will not switch on at all. This is deliberate – it stops the charger from draining your starter battery when the engine is off – but it does mean the installation involves splicing into an ignition-switched line.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it charge a lithium (LiFePO4) house battery?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Set the DIP switches to the lithium profile and it charges within the 12.6–14.6 V range LiFePO4 requires. Do not fit the optional temperature sensor when using lithium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is this different from the Renogy RBC20D1U 20 A charger?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth are 20 A alternator chargers, but they are different units. This one is the classic DCC1212 series, configured with DIP switches and controlled by a D+ ignition signal. The RBC20D1U is the newer housing with push-button profile selection, built-in alternator running detection and an RS485 port for Bluetooth monitoring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I connect solar panels to it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. This model has an alternator input only. Run your solar through a separate MPPT controller, or choose one of the Renogy DC-DC units with MPPT built in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size house battery does 20 A suit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is a good match for banks up to around 150 Ah where you drive a couple of hours between camps. For a 200 Ah or larger lithium bank, or if you only make short hops, step up to a 40 A or larger charger.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Renogy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48299635933369,"sku":"RNG-DCC1212-20-G1-SA","price":2595.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0764\/4587\/6409\/files\/RNG-DCC1212-20-US.png?v=1784793599","url":"https:\/\/www.4mattcampers.co.za\/products\/renogy-core-12v-20a-dc-dc-battery-charger","provider":"4Matt Campers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}