Bluetooth built into the SmartSolar models
The SmartSolar MPPT chargers can be controlled and configured over Bluetooth from the VictronConnect app. This makes it possible to set up the device, manage it and read out data at a glance, such as battery voltage and current, PV voltage and current, and historical data. With the BlueSolar version, an optional Bluetooth dongle is required.
Maximum solar array power depending on the system voltage
| | PV power for a 12 V battery voltage | PV power for a 24 V battery voltage | PV power for a 48 V battery voltage |
|---|
| MPPT 250/60 (60 A) | 860 Wp | 1720 Wp | 3440 Wp |
| MPPT 250/70 (70 A) | 1000 Wp | 2000 Wp | 4000 Wp |
| MPPT 250/85 (85 A) | 1200 Wp | 2400 Wp | 4900 Wp |
| MPPT 250/100 (100 A) | 1450 Wp | 2900 Wp | 5800 Wp |
Automatic battery voltage recognition
The controllers automatically adjust to a 12, 24 or 48 V system, once only. If a different system voltage is required at a later stage, the change must be made manually, for example with the Bluetooth app or via the LCD display. A manual configuration is likewise required for 36 V systems.
Outstanding conversion efficiency
No cooling fan. Maximum efficiency exceeding 98 %. Full output current up to 40 °C.
Flexible charge algorithm
Fully programmable charge algorithm, and eight preprogrammed algorithms selectable with a rotary switch.
Ultra-fast Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
Especially in a cloudy sky, when light intensity is changing continuously, an ultra-fast MPPT controller improves energy harvest by up to 30 % compared with PWM charge controllers (pulse-width modulation) and by up to 10 % compared with slower MPPT controllers.
Advanced Maximum Power Point detection in case of partial shading
In case of partial shading, two or more maximum power points may be present on the power-voltage curve. Conventional MPPTs tend to lock onto a local MPP, which may not be the optimum MPP. The innovative SmartSolar algorithm always maximises energy harvest by locking onto the optimum MPP.
Optional on all models: plug-in LCD display
Simply remove the rubber seal that protects the socket on the front of the controller and insert the display.
Programmable relay
It can be programmed (among other things from a smartphone) to trigger an alarm or other events.
VE.Direct port
For a wired data connection to a Color Control panel, a Venus GX, a Cerbo GX, a PC or other devices.
Internal temperature sensor
It compensates the absorption and float charge voltages for temperature (temperature between 6 and 40 °C).
Optional external voltage and temperature sensor
The Smart Battery Sense is a wireless battery voltage and temperature sensor for Victron MPPT solar chargers. The solar charger uses these measurements to optimise its charge parameters. The accuracy of the transmitted data improves charging efficiency and extends battery life. You can also establish a Bluetooth connection between a BMV-712 battery monitor fitted with a battery temperature sensor and the solar charge controller.
Remote monitoring and control
When combined with a GX device (for example a Cerbo GX), you can monitor and control your MPPT charge controller and your system either locally (LAN) or remotely over the internet from anywhere in the world, through the free VRM app and the free VRM website. You can access it from a phone, tablet, laptop or PC running various operating systems. The level of control over your system is unlimited, whether to adjust settings on your Multi or to start your back-up generator automatically, and much more.
TR or MC4?
Available in -TR or -MC4 version
Victron Energy BlueSolar and SmartSolar solar chargers are offered in a -TR version and in a -MC4 version.
-TR means the charger is fitted with a screw-terminal block for connecting the solar panels. A + terminal and a − terminal, able to accept a flexible multi-strand copper cable from 10 mm² to 35 mm² depending on the model.
-MC4 means the charger is fitted with 2 or 3 MC4 connectors, depending on the model, for connecting the solar panels. Simply clip the MC4 extension leads coming from the panels into the MPPT controller. Several pairs of Y-splitters may be required to connect strings of solar panels in parallel. (Maximum current through an MC4 connector: 30 A.)
The 2 or 3 pairs of MC4 connectors (just like the terminal block) are connected in parallel to a single MPPT tracker.
-TR version and -MC4 version (here a 2-pair model)
VE.Can?
Available in a VE.Can version
SmartSolar solar chargers with VE.Can are fitted with 2 CAN bus ports. They allow communication with other SmartSolar solar chargers that are also fitted with RJ45 CAN bus ports. The additional MPPTs are simply connected in series to one another with a plain RJ45 cable.
This way, all the SmartSolar VE.Can chargers synchronise their charge stages. They can also send their data, through a plain RJ45 cable, to a GX supervision device.
Thanks to VE.Can, up to 25 charge controllers can be installed in parallel. Each controller can be monitored individually from a ColorControl GX or Cerbo GX device, from the VRM web portal or from a smartphone over Bluetooth.
The CAN bus is not galvanically isolated on this charger. The CAN bus is tied to the negative battery terminal connection. The CAN bus interface will be earthed if the negative battery terminal is grounded. In the case of a system with a positive ground, a CAN isolation module will be required to connect the CAN bus interface to earth. To provide maximum flexibility, the battery voltage is used for the V+ supply line of the VE.Can. This means that all equipment connected to the VE.Can represents a permanent load on the battery.
The end of a CAN cable must have a bus terminator. This is done by inserting a bus terminator on one of the two RJ45 connectors and the CAN cable on the other. In the case of a node (two CAN cables, one on each RJ45 connector), no terminator is required.
150 V or 250 V?
Available in a 150 Voc max. and a 250 Voc max. version
SmartSolar solar chargers are available in a 150/xx and a 250/xx version (and also in 75/xx and 100/xx for the smaller models). The first number is the maximum open-circuit PV voltage and the second number is the maximum charge current.
The voltage used to determine the model is the open-circuit voltage, Voc, of the photovoltaic panel string.
It is incorrect to use the operating voltage, Vmp, to determine the model. (see picture below)
With a 150/xx model, the recommended number of cells for the best controller efficiency is around 150. For example 4 panels of 12 V 36 cells, 2 panels of 24 V 72 cells in series, or 3 panels of 60 cells.
The maximum recommended number of cells with a 150 V model is 216. (6 panels of 12 V 36 cells or 3 panels of 24 V 72 cells in series.)
With a 250/xx model, the recommended number of cells for the best controller efficiency is around 300. For example 5 panels of 60 cells. The maximum recommended number of cells with a 250 V model is 360. (10 panels of 12 V 36 cells, 5 panels of 24 V 72 cells, or 6 panels of 60 cells in series.)
Important note: at low temperature, the open-circuit voltage of a 216-cell solar array may exceed 150 V, and the open-circuit voltage of a 360-cell solar array may exceed 250 V. Depending on local conditions and the cell specifications, the number of cells in series must be reduced. A voltage/temperature coefficient is given on the datasheet of every panel. (see picture below)
Based on the panel below, with a Voc voltage of 33.8 V, on a SmartSolar 250/xx model we could connect 6 panels in series. The open-circuit voltage of the string would then be 6 × 41.3 V, i.e. 247.8 V, which remains below 250 V. However, if the operating temperature is 0 °C rather than 25 °C, then the Voc voltage rises by 7 %. The Voc voltage of our 6-panel string then climbs to 265 V, which is no longer acceptable for the solar charger!
A Victron Energy MPPT controller will only operate if the PV voltage exceeds the battery voltage (Vbat).
The PV voltage must exceed Vbat by at least 5 V for the controller to start up.
Extract from the Jinko Solar Cheetah 325–335 Wp solar panel brochure
