Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 100V 30 amp 12/24-Volt Solar Charge Controller (Bluetooth)

Should have bought this from the get go.... It just works perfectly, app is super easy to use and there is a ton of information it gives you

So far working fine on my 480 watt 48 volt panel

I purchased one of these for a project on a golf cart. After installing this controller, I am impressed, to say the least. A tablet is being used as the front end along with the VictronConnect software. The software is very simple and easy to read, and also very accurate. There was some talk of weak bluetooth connection, but I still took the chance being I was going to use this in a golf cart, so of course it would reach the 3 feet to the tablet. But, low and behold, I can reach this device from over 20 feet, through three walls. I am on the couch, the cart is in the garage....wow. This was also tested while the cart was out in the yard soaking up rays. You could see exactly what the charge controller was doing, so cool. I will be adding reviews for the other VictronEnergy items I purchased to work with this device. They all network together and keep things in sync when you have concerns with low voltages, or battery temperatures. Such a peace of mind.

Use the APP. This Solar Charge Controller is fantastic in every way - except one ... the terminals are its weak point. If you want to put a ring terminal on your wire, torque it down and move on with your project like I do, you cant. The terminals requite a small, almost precision but not quite size STRAIT screwdriver. I believe its because the the terminals could not withstand the force of a regular, Philips or TORX bit full size screwdriver. The terminals require finesse, time, patience. The good news is that after you get it wired up this thing works like a champ. I still recommend it.

Spend a few dollars extra and get the best. In my case the small size and feature set made it the only logical choice for my boat. The bluetooth connection feature(s) via smart phone is worth every penny, you can change LifoPO4 to lead acid settings in 30 seconds. I can monitor my battery bank from the house, If you are going to hook up 3 or more panels in series you may want to get the 100V version for about $20 more. Cons: I have read these units run a little warm. That is because they have the best MPPT controllers in the business and actually do create the most watts from the array, Bluetooth network probably sucks some power to maintain, but we are talking minimal amounts. The screw connecters for the wires are small, and I couldnt put a #10 stranded marine wire in them. Customer support is funky, but the distributor that sold it to me called me on phone within an hour. Documentation can be confusing at times

OK, I was sold after I demod the Bluetooth app with its settings, including LiFePo4 compatibility. Ability to change the settings for storing a battery (say at 80%) versus field use (probably charging to 100%) is excellent. All the way around the build quality is good. But the terminal block was and is very frustrating. I wanted to use 10 AWG, not necessarily for high currrent but for mechanical strength. And yes, I did want some `fire insurance by using the fatter copper wire. And I do have the proper crimper and crimp terminals. I was very surprised when those didnt fit. I kluged it by tinning the stranded 10 AWG wires and shaping them square using a extra-long-handled needlenose plier, good thing I had one of those. Im not so eager to use the square crimper on tinned cable, though it might work. I imagine 12 AWG with ferrules will fit but that could involve testing that, doing a current-capacity calc considering how long I want my load cable to be, and then replacing cables. Victron, I suggest you do that current-capacity check yourselves, including temperature sensitivity, and you will see how youre making my life more difficult. On a bright summer day were talking potentially 20 amps continuous, not intermittent. So I supposed in the end Ill have short lengths of 12 gauge with strain reliefs and Anderson Powerpoles that connect to a load cable thats 10 AWG for both strength and distance. Bottom line if you have another credible option, go for it. If not, I guess regrettably this is as good as it gets.

Installed this as an upgrade to the PWM charge controller that came with my travel trailer. Noticeable decrease in charging times (increased efficiency). This is paired with 380W of panels and two Battle Born 100AH Lithium batteries. I would recommend this for a new install, or as an upgrade.

I have three Victron Energy solar charge controllers of different sizes. I love them all and personally think they are the best. They perform flawlessly and are extremely efficient. The controllers all have the same configuration interface per Bluetooth with the Victron Energy App on iPhone/Android. I can set up fully customized charging profiles easily and can see the performance at a glance. The controller is small and robust, weather proof and is a great value for its performance and price. I will say that if you attempt to get any support from Victron Energy, forget it. You are out of luck and have to go to the dealers for help. Please check who the dealer is before you buy so you have someplace to turn to for support if needed. Because of the support aspect, I give this controller 4 stars. I wish there was a better support system for customers.

This is a well-engineered controller. Ive had no problems with the BlueTooth and the TTL serial output port is great if you wish to connect to a microcontroller, etc. Would buy again (& did buy an AC/DC Victron charger, too). Loss of 1star: Today learned it is a bit quick to shutoff the load output. Testing using a no-load-connected 750W DC-AC inverter (it draws 6W at 12VDC after power-on). If I connect using thin wire 20ga, it works fine, but if I attach the inverter using short length of 10ga wire, the high inrush current and voltage drop on the Victrons Load+ terminal causes the Victron to disconnect the load from battery. Reading their (good) online forum it seems to have issues with some DC refrigerators or halogen lamps, lights where resistance is low at turn-on & there is a high inrush current. Would be nice if it could handle a bit longer inrush duration (seems to occur in <200microseconds). Solution would be for users to wire such high-inrush loads to the battery directly, but that takes away the ability to monitor load current. Victron also has a bunch of other solutions to monitor system current, so one could use one of those, at additional $ and complexity.

The Victron 100 20 MPPT controller delivers peformance as effortlessly and efficiently as it delivers energy. This unit was connected to two 105 A-hr lead acid deep cycle batteries for storage, two 120 W Photovoltaic panels for energy capture, powering a load composed of a Dometic 95DZ dual zone fridge freezer. For the test a grocery load was simulated with two 1 gallon jugs of tap water and two ice cube trays of water to make ice. The test was begun late in afternoon on Saturday and concluded early evening on Sunday. The Victron supplied energy throughout the entire process and smoothley and effortlessly transitioned from solar power to battery. As the sun came up I was able to monitor panel voltage in real time, and began to see it slowly offset battery power, until the batteries began to charge and all power for the Dometic was supplied by panels. The test was a complete success and demonstrated to me the need to expand the system by one battery and one pannel to 345 A-hr, and 360 W solar. The Victron did extremely well and was only slightly warm at highest load condition. Thank you!