A Review Of The Victron Solar Controller

Victron Energy is one of the most popular manufacturers in the power conversion world. It has been operating since 1975 and is known worldwide for offering high-quality, reliable off-grid battery inverter charges and solar regulators or controllers.

The brand is particularly successful in the automotive, RV, and boating communities, where most people rely on micropower systems.

Key Takeaways

• Is a powerful but small and light MPPT
• Has LED indicators
• Is easy to install
• Pairs with your phone via the VictronConnect app
• Outputs 146 watts max when connected to a 200-watt solar array
• Comes in different PV voltage limits, compatible battery voltages, and charge current ratings
• Has many customisation features

During the past few years, it has produced different high-power inverter charges and multiple smart energy management devices, entering the home battery storage market.

Victron has developed different products, but its advanced Smart Solar MPPT Charge Controller is among the most popular. Although it's pricey, this device has components that both new and expert users will love. In addition, it's equipped with many technological features.

Do you want to know more about Victron's top-class charge controller? Here's everything you need to learn about it. Read on!

Victron's Smart Solar Controller: Overview

If you hope to optimise your camper van solar system or find a reliable power solution, the Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller is one of the multiple options you can find on the market.

The brand has a comprehensive series of MPPT charge controllers with different input voltage (Voc) limits and sizes.

Its input voltage limits range from 75V to 250V. There's a 450V MPPT charge controller on its RS series, but it's considered a high-power solution.

When it comes to current ratings, you can find models ranging from 15A to 100A. Thanks to Victron's extensive catalogue, you can find different devices for all your needs. A single 100A MMPT charge controller can control a large 5kW solar array, for example.

In addition, you can choose any model without worrying about solar oversizing since these MPPTs allow up to 200% oversizing if there's adequate cooling and controlled maximum allowable input voltage (Voc).

This review focuses on the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/30. It's perfect for the most common solar batteries and has all the technological features you expect in a controller from this manufacturer.

As soon as you receive your order and open the box, you'll notice that the Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller is small and light compared to other MPPTs. However, that doesn't mean it isn't a good alternative. Actually, it's one of the best models on the market today.

This MPPT charge controller doesn't have a screen. If you want to know its charging stage, you have to use its LED indicators. However, it isn't limiting.

Since this device has built-in Bluetooth, you can connect it to your phone and monitor everything there. In other words, this charge controller doesn't need a screen.

It's a great feature for those who prefer remote solutions, as you can know what is going on with your controller in your basement, even if you are in your bedroom.

Are Victron's Solar Charge Controllers Easy to Install?

If you're looking for good MPPT charge controllers for your solar power system, another aspect you should consider is the installation. Do you want a convenient solution? This model is easy to set up! Moreover, you only need four screws to mount it.

The screws are strong, so the installation is optimal, safe, and resistant. Once mounted, you only have to connect your Victron controller to your battery and a 100-watt solar panel!

Although the terminals are too shallow, you can install this Smart Solar charge controller without having wires slipping out while using or installing it.

Key Specifications

As mentioned, Victron has a wide lineup of MPPTs charge controllers. Therefore, these specifications are only for the Smart Solar MPPT 100/30.

• Battery voltage: 12/24V
• Rated charge current: 30A
• Battery types: sealed (AGM), flooded, gel, custom, LiFePO4
• Maximum wire size: 6 AWG (16 mm2)
• Maximum PV open circuit voltage (Voc): 100V
• Maximum PV input power: 440W @ 12V, 880W @ 24V
• Bluetooth monitoring: Yes
• Built-in temperature sensor: Yes
• Operating temperature: -22 to +140°F
• Power consumption: 30mA @ 12V, 20mA @ 24V

Voltage Specifications

It's also important to consider its voltage specifications if you want to find a good charge controller for your solar system. Here are the ones you can enjoy if you choose Victron's MPPT:

Voltage Accuracy

As mentioned, Victron has a wide lineup of MPPTs charge controllers. Therefore, these specifications are only for the Smart Solar MPPT 100/30.

• Battery voltage: 12/24V
• Rated charge current: 30A
• Battery types: sealed (AGM), flooded, gel, custom, LiFePO4
• Maximum wire size: 6 AWG (16 mm2)
• Maximum PV open circuit voltage (Voc): 100V
• Maximum PV input power: 440W @ 12V, 880W @ 24V
• Bluetooth monitoring: Yes
• Built-in temperature sensor: Yes
• Operating temperature: -22 to +140°F
• Power consumption: 30mA @ 12V, 20mA @ 24V

Voltage Specifications

It's also important to consider its voltage specifications if you want to find a good charge controller for your solar system. Here are the ones you can enjoy if you choose Victron's MPPT:

Voltage Accuracy

Tested against a multimeter connected to battery terminals, this Victron SmartSolar MPPT has around 0.075 volts of voltage discrepancy.

Compared to other competitors, which usually have an average voltage discrepancy of 0.1-0.2 volts, this charge controller has a high voltage accuracy.

Since you use voltage to measure the battery's charging, having a charge controller with reliable and accurate voltage settings is essential.

Power Output

Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller was also tested with Victron battery monitors when connected to a 200-watt solar array to check its power output.

The test results showed that this charge controller outputs a maximum of 146 watts, slightly above its primary competitors on the market.

However, it's important to consider that these power output results may vary depending on different aspects, such as solar panels' temperature and solar irradiance fluctuations.

Bluetooth

As mentioned, the Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller doesn't have a screen, but you can sync it with your phone after connecting it to your solar panels and battery.

Then, download the VictronConnect app, which is available for iOS and Android, and leverage all the benefits of remote monitoring.

How to Pair Your Phone with Your Victron Charge Controller

If you want to pair your Victron charge controller with your phone, you only have to download and open the app. After that, check the devices list and pick yours.

It's crucial to follow these steps, as you can't pair your Victron's charge controller with your phone the same way you do with other Bluetooth devices.

Sometimes, the app asks users to enter a pin code the first time they connect the Victron controller to a smartphone. Try with the default one: 000000 or six zeroes.

Once your Victron controller is connected to your phone, you can monitor your solar power system remotely.

Through the brand's app, you'll get key information, including how much power your solar panels produce and the charging current. Your phone will also display details about your battery voltage.

Is This Bluetooth Feature Good?

There's only one way to determine if this feature is really good: the charge controller's Bluetooth range.

Fortunately, it's amazing! Even if you're around 30-35 feet away from this controller, your phone will stay connected and work perfectly.

Benefits of Choosing Victron's SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller

As you can see, this charge controller offers different benefits and has excellent features that you'll enjoy even if you're a novice user.

In this regard, here are the main reasons why people should pick this alternative:

Easy Setup

As you can see, this charge controller offers different benefits and has excellent features that you'll enjoy even if you're a novice user.

In this regard, here are the main reasons why people should pick this alternative:

Easy Setup

Do you want a plug-and-play solution? Victron's solar charge controller may be all you need. It's so easy to install and works well as soon as it's mounted.

In addition, this MPPT has different battery presets to make everything easier. They work well with any solar battery type you have.

If you download the VictronConnect app, you can also easily set up this solar charge controller and integrate it with your RVs electrical system in only seconds.

The app has a gear wheel in the top right corner that you can press to open the settings interface. Once redirected to this tab, you can adjust certain elements, including the following:

• Input custom voltages, which is key for absorption and float phases
• Battery chemistry type (If you use lead acid or lithium batteries, for example)
• Max charging current allowed
• Battery voltage type (Whether it's 12v or 24v)

If you use this solar charge controller with lithium batteries, the input custom vintages feature can be so useful since it can extend their lifespan.

Built-in Bluetooth

As another key advantage, unlike other MPPT controllers, this model has integrated Bluetooth!

Since most MPPTs on the market don't have this feature, you need to buy a Bluetooth dongle if you want to monitor them. This device, which works as a Bluetooth wireless signals receiver and transmitter, costs around $40-30.

However, if you choose Victron's solar charge controller, you don't have to buy an extra device. It has built-in Bluetooth with an impressive range.

Robust and Functional Mobile App

Victron also has one of the best charge controller apps in the industry! First, it's easy to pair with any phone. In addition, it has a first-class, intuitive user interface that makes monitoring your charge controller a breeze.

With this app, you can access all the solar energy data and settings you need in just minutes as long as you can use your phone.

In addition, as mentioned, it offers comprehensive information about your controller and power system, including the following:

Real-Time Stats

VictronConnect app displays different real-time statistics to help you know your solar panel system's status. These are some of the details you can get:

• How many instantaneous watts your solar panels harvested
• Amps and volts generated from the solar array
• Instantaneous volts and amps outputted from the controller to the batteries

Historical Stats

If you use the VictronConnect app, you can also check solar harvesting data by day and review the information collected in the last 30 days.

Besides letting you know the total watt-hours your solar array produces daily, this app also shows how many were generated at each battery charging stage (including absorption, bulk, and float).

These features make this model amazing! Most solar charge controllers on the market have an outdated digital interface built into their hardware. Many don't have it at all.

Therefore, if you have one of those and want to know what's going on with your controller or power system, you must go to the place where you installed it.

However, with this MPPT, you can access your solar data wherever you are, be it your vehicle or bedroom, as long as you have your phone on hand.

Multiple Customisation and Advanced Features

Finally, there are Victron solar charge controllers' customisation and advanced features. They're just amazing and make this model so much better than it is.

Thanks to these components, seasoned users can create custom charging profiles for a personalised experience. Also, you can edit different settings, such as temperature compensation.

If you have a large power system or want to incorporate other tools, Victron's MPPT is a great option. It allows you to pair other brand devices, including a second charge controller.

What Victron Can Improve

Finally, there are Victron solar charge controllers' customisation and advanced features. They're just amazing and make this model so much better than it is.

Thanks to these components, seasoned users can create custom charging profiles for a personalised experience. Also, you can edit different settings, such as temperature compensation.

If you have a large power system or want to incorporate other tools, Victron's MPPT is a great option. It allows you to pair other brand devices, including a second charge controller.

What Victron Can Improve

While this charge controller is amazing and has great features, Victron can improve a few things to make it even better. These are:

Price

Victron's SmartSolar charge controller is one of the most expensive ones you can find on the market. Actually, you can get respectable models without Bluetooth or a similar user interface for half the price.

Wire Terminals

While they work well and don't cause many issues, this controller's wire terminals are a little shallow and close.

Final Thoughts: Is This Solar Charge Controller Worth Trying?

Undoubtedly, Victron Energy has some of the best solar charge controllers on the market.

Although they're expensive, this brand's controllers are the best option if you want to use only quality devices in your solar panel system.

Also, it's one of the most technological models you can find. Unlike other MPPTs, it has built-in Bluetooth, which helps you monitor your power system remotely and save money.

You also may be interested in our article on the what size solar panel is required to run a 12 colt fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions