Victron Energy EasySolar 12/1600/70-16 MPPT 100/5012V 1600VA inverter/charger with 70A charger and SmartSolar MPPT 100/50

Overview

The EasySolar 12/1600/70-16 MPPT 100/50 is a complete 12V power centre: a 1600VA (1300W) inverter, a 70A AC charger, a SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 solar charger and an AC distribution with RCD and four protected outputs, all in one 15kg enclosure of 214×745×110mm. Up to three PV strings connect on MC4 plugs; Victron rates the solar side at 700W of PV on 12V, with 100V maximum open-circuit voltage. It suits motorhomes, boats and weekend cabins that combine solar, shore power or a small generator.

• 1600VA / 1300W sine-wave inverter, 3000W peak
• RCD 30mA and four protected AC outputs built in
• PowerAssist support for weak shore or generator supply
• 4A output for a starter battery
• EasySolar: SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 with three MC4 inputs
• Battery cables of 1.5m supplied

How it works

Both units are built around the MultiPlus Compact 1600VA inverter/charger: a sine-wave inverter of 1300W continuous at 25°C (1200W at 40°C, 3000W peak), an adaptive four-stage charger and a 16A transfer switch that changes over to inverter power in under 20ms. The integrated AC distribution has a 30mA/16A RCD and four outputs on two 10A and two 16A breakers. The 16A heavy-duty output AC0 is fed only when shore or generator power is present, so a water heater or air conditioner cannot drain the battery.

The EasySolar adds a SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 charge controller that shares the factory-fitted battery cables with the inverter/charger. It accepts up to three PV strings on MC4 connectors, with 100V maximum open-circuit voltage and 50A charge current, and is connected via VE.Direct. The battery can therefore be charged from the sun, the grid or a generator, alone or together.

Installation and compatibility

Mount the unit on a wall in a dry, ventilated place close to the batteries but never above them, with at least 10cm free all round; vertical mounting cools best. The 12V models come with 35mm² battery cables of 1.5m (25mm² on the EasySolar 24V); for longer runs Victron recommends 70mm² up to 5m on 12V.

For the EasyPlus Victron suggests a 200–700Ah battery bank. AC connects through plug-in connectors with 2.5mm² flexible cable. In vehicles and boats the casing must be bonded to the chassis or hull, as the ground relay disconnects with the shore plug.

Settings and monitoring

Charge voltages, battery type, PowerAssist and the programmable relay (alarm, DC undervoltage or generator start) are set through VE.Bus with VictronConnect or VE.Configure, using an MK3-USB interface or a VE.Bus Smart dongle; a Digital Multi Control panel sets the shore current limit with a knob. A temperature sensor is supplied for compensated charging. The EasyPlus can be paralleled with up to six identical units or used in three-phase systems. A GX device adds VRM remote monitoring.

Questions and answers