Victron Controller Model Numbers

Victron Solar Controller Models Explained

The Victron SmartSolar is a solar charge controller used in off-grid systems such as caravans, boats, motorhomes, and remote cabins. Its job is to safely control the power coming from your solar panels into your batteries.

Today we will walk you through what the numbers on different Victron SmartSolar controllers mean, taking the example of Victron's SmartSolar charge controller MPPT 100|50 - Full model name appearing as: 100/50 (12/24V-50A)

What does "SmartSolar" Mean?

SmartSolar means the controller has built-in bluetooth, and you can connect to it through a mobile app to monitor its charging.  Quite confusingly, the so-called "BlueSolar" range from Victron does NOT have built-in Bluetooth. 

What does “100/50” mean?

100 – Maximum Solar Panel Voltage

The total voltage of the solar panels connected must not exceed 100 volts.  This depends on how many panels are wired in series (sum up the voltages of all panels in series).  Going over 100 V can damage the controller. 

50 – Maximum Charging Current

The controller can charge the battery at up to 50 amps.  Even if the solar panels can produce more, the controller will limit output to 50 A.  In other words, the controller will never push more than 50 amps into the battery.    Many other controller brands just state the "amps" of the controller as the main model name ~ in this case, the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100|50 is a "50 Amp Controller". 

12 / 24 V – Battery System Voltage

This means that it works with both 12 V and 24 V batteries.

What this means in real life

• You can use higher-voltage solar panels (up to 100 V total)
• You can charge 12 V or 24 V battery systems
• Charging current is limited to 50 amps for safety

Check out LUX Solar's Victron Solar Controllers here: https://www.luxsolar.co.nz/products/victron-smartsolar-mppt-controllers

Sick of going down internet solar rabbit holes?

LUX Solar's free design tool, AnyKit, calculates your power requirements and automatically designs optimized 12V or 24V systems. You can see the cost of the system upfront and rest assured that all components are compatable with each other and are designed with solar efficiency and compliance in mind. Visit www.lux.solar/anykit to try it today!