Victron BlueSolar vs SmartSolar
Victron Energy is a leading producer of solar equipment, including two popular types of MPPT charge controllers. Both the Victron BlueSolar and SmartSolar MPPT charge controllers have a variety of sizes and features to choose from, and they have a lot in common. But there is one major difference that solar users should be aware of when choosing between these two products. Keep reading to learn what it is and how it impacts your solar power system.
The Key Difference: Bluetooth
The one major difference between BlueSolar and SmartSolar charge controllers is the built-in Bluetooth capability. This is only built into SmartSolar models. Bluetooth capabilities are extremely convenient if you want to use the Victron Solar app to monitor your system’s power production. Bluetooth allows the charge controller to communicate directly with the app on your smartphone so that you can view real-time data and statistics regarding energy output and usage.
But what if you already have a BlueSolar MPPT charge controller, and you really want to be able to use the Victron Energy app on your phone? The good news is that there is a simple solution.
Retrofitting Your BlueSolar Charge Controller
If you’ve already installed a BlueSolar charge controller, and are only just realizing that this doesn’t allow the system to connect to your phone’s Bluetooth, don’t panic; you don’t have to change out the entire charge controller for a SmartSolar model. Instead, you can retrofit the BlueSolar charge controller with a simple dongle attachment that will enable Bluetooth capabilities on your device. The VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart dongle can be plugged directly into the BlueSolar charge controller, quickly providing you with that valuable Bluetooth functionality.
Disabling Bluetooth on Both Models
What if you want to turn off Bluetooth capabilities? While convenient, active Bluetooth connectivity does allow anyone with the VictronConnect app, which is within range of your charge controller, to access your data. So, if you’re going to be away from your home for a while, you might want to shut off Bluetooth capabilities while you’re gone to ensure nobody is fiddling with your system.
For the BlueSolar charge controller, all you have to do is disconnect the VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart dongle mentioned above. This will automatically shut off any Bluetooth connectivity. If you have a SmartSolar charge controller with built-in Bluetooth connectivity, you’ll have to disable the Bluetooth capability in the Victron app. Open the VictronConnect app and select the charge controller in your list of devices. Then, select the gear icon on the top right corner to access the settings page. Select the three dots in the upper right corner, and tap on “product info.” This will take you to an options menu that will allow you to disable Bluetooth.
Bear in mind that when Bluetooth is disabled, you won’t be able to view your energy production and other power stats. You’ll need to reactivate it via the app or plug the dongle back in, then reconnect your phone’s app to the device before this information is available.
What They Have in Common
Now that we’ve discussed the key difference between these two charge controllers let’s talk about what they have in common. Both models come with a variety of load output options ranging from 1A to 20A and battery voltage ranges that include 12V, 24V, 36V, and 48V. So, whether you have a BlueSolar or SmartSolar MPPT charge controller, you shouldn’t have any problems finding a model that fits your system’s requirements.
Both charge controllers also offer remote on-off and programmable relays on certain models, so if this is a feature you’re looking for in your charge controller, both BlueSolar and SmartSolar can provide it. They’re also both compatible with a variety of Victron Energy accessories, including the following:
- VictronConnect application (when Bluetooth capabilities are enabled)
- Wire boxes to cover and protect terminals
- Control and display panels, including MPPT control and SmartSolar control (both BlueSolar and SmartSolar offer models that are compatible with both types of panels)
- GX monitoring devices (CCGX, Venus GX, Octo GX, and Cerbo GX)
- Data cables (VE.Direct cable, RJ45 cable, and USB-VE.Direct interface)
- External control cables (TX cable and non-inverting cable)
If you want to add any of these accessories to your charge controller, it shouldn’t matter whether you have a BlueSolar or SmartSolar controller; just make sure the exact model you have is compatible with the accessory you want, as both types of charge controllers have some variety in regards to accessory compatibility.
If you’re looking for a charge controller for your solar power system, both the Victron SmartSolar and BlueSolar MPPT charge controllers are excellent options. They’re efficient, reliable, and can be accessorized and retrofitted to meet your exact usage needs. You can find these charge controllers and many of the accessories mentioned above here at The PowerStore, Inc.
Victron 50A Solar Charge Controller
A solar charger gathers energy from your solar panels, and stores it in your batteries. Using the latest, fastest technology, SmartSolar maximizes this energy-harvest, driving it intelligently to achieve full charge in the shortest possible time. SmartSolar maintains battery health, extending its life.
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Description:
A solar charger gathers energy from your solar panels and stores it in your batteries. Using the latest, fastest technology, SmartSolar maximizes this energy harvest; driving it intelligently to achieve full charge in the shortest possible time. SmartSolar maintains battery health. extending its life.
By constantly monitoring the voltage and current output of your solar (PV) panels, MPPT technology ensures that every drop of available power is rinsed out of your panels and harvested for storage. The advantage of this is most noticeable when the sky is partially clouded and light intensity is changing.
Remotely control and monitor the extensive features of your SmartSolar MPPT charger with built-in Bluetooth by pairing it with your smartphone or other devices via VictronConnect. If your installation is connected to the internet, Victron Remote Management Portal (VRM) provides access to the full power of your MPPT, anytime, anywhere. Both services are free to use. For remote installations. even when there is no internet connection or phone signal nearby. you may be able to monitor your MPPT by Bluetooth-pairing with a LoRaWAN (long-range wide area network) device, available optionally.
Specifications:
- Nominal system voltage: 12/24V
- Rated charge current : 50A
- Max PV short circuit current: 60A
- Max. PV open circuit voltage: 100v
- Max. PV input power: 700W(12V Battery); 1400W(24V battery)
- Price: 323.85
- Bluetooth Smart built-in
- Ultra-fast maximum power point tracking (MPPT)
- Advanced maximum power point detection in case of partial shading conditions
- Outstanding conversion efficiency
- Flexible charge algorithm
- Extensive electronic protection
- Internal temperature sensor
- Optional external battery voltage and temperature sensing via Bluetooth
Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 250V 100A Charge Controller
Solar charge controllerA solar charger gathers energy from your solar panels, and stores it in your batteries. Using the latest, fastest technology, SmartSolar maximises this energy-harvest, driving it intelligently to achieve full charge in the shortest possible time. SmartSolar maintains battery health, extending its life.Models:250/60, 250/70, 250/85 250/100 (12/24/36/48V)MPPT: Ultra Fast.
A solar charger gathers energy from your solar panels, and stores it in your batteries. Using the latest, fastest technology, SmartSolar maximises this energy-harvest, driving it intelligently to achieve full charge in the shortest possible time. SmartSolar maintains battery health, extending its life.
MPPT: Ultra Fast Maximum Power Point Tracking
By constantly monitoring the voltage and current output of your solar (PV) panels, MPPT technology ensures that every drop of available power is rinsed out of your panels, and harvested for storage. The advantage of this is most noticeable when the sky is partially clouded, and light intensity is constantly changing.
Remote Monitoring and Control
Remotely control and monitor the extensive features of your SmartSolar MPPT charger with built-in bluetooth by pairing it with your smartphone or other device via VictronConnect. If your installation is connected to the internet Victron Remote Management Portal (VRM) provides access to the full power of your MPPT, anytime, anywhere; both services are free to use. For remote installations. even when there is no internet connection or phone signal nearby. you may be able to monitor your MPPT by bluetooth-pairing with a LoRaWAN(long-range wide area network) device, available optionally.
Optional SmartSolar Control Display
By adding the SmartSolar Control Display you will be able to check the status of your Charger and battery-storage at a glance. Simply plug it into the face of your MPPT charger to provide you with real-time monitoring and set-up capabilities.
Victron MPPT Charge Controller Review
Just so you know, this page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one, at no extra cost to you I may earn a small commission.
This is my hands-on review of the Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller.
I spent a total of 3 weeks testing it on its own as well as alongside other top MPPT charge controllers. I installed it in a solar power system and tested its ease of use, power output and voltage accuracy.
After all that, I think the Victron SmartSolar MPPT is the best MPPT charge controller on the market. It’s pricey, but it’s built-in Bluetooth, free mobile app and ease of setup make it the most plug-and-play MPPT I tested. For experienced users, it’s also got plenty of customization and advanced features.
The best MPPT solar charge controller
The Victron SmartSolar MPPT was the most “plug-and-play” MPPT I tested. It has plenty of battery presets for all the most common solar batteries. And the built-in Bluetooth lets you use Victron’s free mobile app to remotely monitor your solar power system from your phone.
| Rated charge current: | 30A | Max. PV open circuit voltage (Voc): | 100V |
| Battery voltage: | 12/24V | Battery types: | LiFePO4, sealed (AGM), gel, flooded, custom |
| Max. PV input power: | 440W @ 12V, 880W @ 24V | Max. wire size: | 6 AWG (16 mm2) |
| Bluetooth monitoring: | Yes (built-in) | Temperature sensor: | Yes (built-in) |
Victron SmartSolar MPPT Review
First Impressions
After taking it out of the box, I first noticed the Victron SmartSolar is small and light for an MPPT.
Beyond that, the controller doesn’t have a screen — just a few LED indicators to let you know what charging stage the controller is in.
Normally that’s limiting, but the Victron SmartSolar’s built-in Bluetooth gets rid of the need for a screen. With Bluetooth, you can easily monitor everything from your phone. I like that better because it gives you more information and enables remote monitoring. I could be in my kitchen and check on the status of my controller in my basement.
Installation
I immediately went to my basement to install the Victron in a test solar power system. Four screws are all you need to mount it.
After mounting, I connected the controller to a LiFePO4 battery and a 100 watt solar panel. The Victron’s wire terminals are just okay. The screws themselves feel strong and durable, but the terminals are a little too shallow and close together for my taste.
Once installed, though, I tend to forget about the wire terminals altogether. And I never had a problem with wires slipping out during setup or use.
Bluetooth
Once you’ve connected your Victron to your battery and solar panels, the next thing you’ll want to do is download the VictronConnect app.
To pair your phone to your Victron, simply open the Victron app and select your charge controller from the devices list. Here’s a quick video of me doing it:
Note: You may need to enter a pin code the first time you pair your phone. The default Victron pin code is 000000 (six zeroes).
You don’t pair it by going to your phone’s Bluetooth settings. It’s a different process than most Bluetooth devices.
Now you can monitor your solar power system from your phone. The Victron app is powerful and gives you all sorts of information about how much energy your solar panels are producing as well as your battery voltage and charging current.
For instance, when I paired mine, it told me my 100 watt panel was producing around 45 watts (due to some mild Cloud coverage).
As a simple test of the Victron’s Bluetooth range, I went to the second story of my house and tested if the Bluetooth would still connect. I estimate I was about 30-35 feet from the Victron controller, and my phone still connected just fine. In fact, it showed up as having 2-3 bars of Bluetooth ‘service.’
Voltage Accuracy
After trying out the Victron by itself, I wanted to test it alongside other top MPPT charge controllers. In addition to testing usability and build quality, I tested each controller’s voltage accuracy against a multimeter connected to the battery terminals.
The Victron placed first in my test with an average voltage discrepancy of only 0.075 volts. Most of the other models had an average discrepancy of 0.1-0.2 volts.
Power Output
Next, I tested the max power output of all the MPPTs when connected to a 200 watt solar array. I measured power output with the Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor.
The Victron placed first, by just a hair. It output a max of 146 watts. That was 1 watt more than the EPEver Tracer BN which came in second, and 4 watts more than the Renogy Rover which placed last.
I don’t put too much stock in these results because of the variables I couldn’t account for, such as fluctuations in solar irradiance and solar panel temperature. Regardless, it was nice to see a first-place finish from the Victron, given its price tag.
Key Specs
Note: These specs are for the model I tested, the SmartSolar MPPT 100/30. Victron has a whole SmartSolar product lineup with different PV voltage limits, charge current ratings and compatible battery voltages should you need a different size.
- Rated charge current: 30A
- Maximum PV open circuit voltage (Voc): 100V
- Battery voltage: 12/24V
- Battery types: LiFePO4, sealed (AGM), gel, flooded, custom
- Maximum PV input power: 440W @ 12V, 880W @ 24V
- Maximum wire size: 6 AWG (16 mm2)
- Bluetooth monitoring: Yes (built-in)
- Temperature sensor: Yes (built-in)
- Power consumption: 30mA @ 12V, 20mA @ 24V
- Operating temperature:.30 to 60°C (-22 to 140°F)
What I Don’t Like
Who This Charge Controller Isn’t for
Which Victron SmartSolar Model Is Right for You?
The SmartSolar MPPT product line has plenty of options of differing PV voltage and charge current ratings. Here’s a quick comparison table of some of the more popular models on Amazon:
| Max. PV Voltage | 75V | 100V | 100V | 100V |
| Rated Charge Current | 15A | 20A | 30A | 50A |
| Battery Voltage | 12/24V | 12/24/48V | 12/24V | 12/24V |
| Max. PV Input Power | 220W @ 12V, 440W @ 24V | 290W @ 12V, 580W @ 24V, 1160W @ 48V | 440W @ 12V, 880W @ 24V | 700W @ 12V, 1400W @ 24V |
| Buy Link | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Top Alternatives
If the Victron SmartSolar MPPT isn’t right for you, here are my top alternatives:
- Victron BlueSolar MPPT 100/30. The Victron BlueSolar is like the Victron SmartSolar but without Bluetooth built in. As a result, it’s quite a bit cheaper. And you can always add Bluetooth later on by buying the Victron VE.Direct Smart Dongle.
- Renogy Rover 40A. I think the Rover 40A is the MPPT controller with the best bang for your buck. If you don’t want to pay top dollar for the Victron, this is the one I’d recommend next. It has presets for all the most common types of solar batteries and lets you create custom charging profiles. It doesn’t have Bluetooth built in, but you can add it by getting the Renogy BT-1 Bluetooth Module. Renogy’s mobile app was my second favorite. Read my full Renogy Rover MPPT Review.
- EPEver Tracer 4215BN. The Tracer BN had my favorite hardware of the MPPTs I tested. It’s built like a tank and has my favorite wire terminals of any solar controller I’ve ever used. It has presets for lead acid batteries, but not LiFePO4 batteries. It lets you create custom charging profiles, though, so it can work with lithium batteries if you spend a little time setting it up properly.
The Bottom Line
The Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller was my favorite of the 5 MPPTs I tested. It had the best voltage accuracy and power output.
Bluetooth comes built in to all Victron SmartSolar controllers. This lets you check on your system from your phone using the VictronConnect app. Pairing your phone takes all of 15 seconds and, once paired, you can monitor your system in real time and edit system settings such as battery type.
If you want an MPPT that’s easy to set up and works great out of the box, the Victron is the one I’d recommend.
The only real drawback to the Victron is its price. It’s a premium product and is priced like one. If you don’t want to spend all that money, look at a cheaper MPPT such as the Renogy Rover 40A.
A small ask: If you found my Victron SmartSolar MPPT review helpful and are planning to buy one, please consider buying through one of my affiliate links below — I’ll get a small commission which will help fund more reviews like this one. Thank you!
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 Bluetooth Solar Controller
Victron SmartSolar 75 VOC, 15 Amp MPPT solar panel charge controller for 12V and 24V battery systems (including Lithium) with Bluetooth.
SKU: VIC.SCC075015060R | MPN: SCC075015060R
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Shipping Included. 0.00 Delivery is typically 2 to 14 business days for In Stock items to Metro locations and longer for remote areas.
Pickup from Southport Warehouse. 0.00 We will contact you via email when your order is ready for pickup. For items In Stock this is typically within 3 HOURS.
MPPT 75/10, 75/15, 100/15, 100/20, 100/20-48V
MPPT controllers operate solar panels at their Maximum Power Point improving efficiency up to 30% by adjusting input voltage to harvest the maximum power from the solar panels. It then manages this power to supply the varying voltage requirement of the battery plus load.
The MPPT senses when to adjust the output that it is being sent to the battery and will shut down for a few microseconds, calculate and make relevant adjustments. The principle of MPPT is to extract the maximum possible power from a solar panel by setting the most efficient combination of voltage and current. maximum power point.
Load output will prevent the battery from becoming totally flat [which can cause damage]. A preset discharge level can be configured at which point the SmartSolar will disconnect the load preventing the battery draining further.
Alternatively, the inbuilt intelligent battery management feature in the SmartSolar can be set. Known as Battery Life the feature is designed to protect and better maintain your battery by ensuring 100% recharge is regularly reached. SmartSolar attempts a daily 100% recharge. During periods of poor weather or low light conditions, it raises the disconnect voltage until successful.
Built-in Bluetooth along with the VictronConnect App provides easy access to the extensive range of functions available on your solar charge controller such as:
- Solar Gauge – Realtime power output
- Battery Voltage
- Battery Current
- Battery State
- Load Output [100/20 and smaller]
- Load current – shows the current being drawn by appliances
- History Analysis
- Various Settings
Victron MPPT model names explained
MPPT 75/50, the first number is the maximum PV open circuit voltage. The second number, 50, is the maximum charge current. Use the Victron MPPT Excel sheet or Online MPPT Calculator for PV sizing calculations.
For more information about PWM or MPPT charge controllers, read the Victron whitepaper: which solar charge controller: PWM or MPPT?
MPPT 75/10, 75/15, 100/15, 100/20, 100/20-48V Specifications
| SKU | VIC.SCC075015060R |
| Model # | SCC075015060R |
| UPC/EAN | 8719076040804 |
| Brand | Victron Energy |
| Shipping Weight | 0.6840kg |
| Shipping Width | 0.210m |
| Shipping Height | 0.050m |
| Shipping Length | 0.150m |
| Shipping Cubic | 0.015750000m3 |
Purchase with confidence knowing your product is covered by the Victron 5-year manufacturer warranty.
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