Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 150/3535A 150V Bluetooth MPPT solar charge controller, 12V to 48V

Overview

The SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 charges 12V, 24V, 36V or 48V batteries at up to 35A from a PV array of up to 150V open-circuit voltage and 40A short-circuit current. Nominal PV power ranges from 500W on 12V to 2000W on 48V. For a 48V battery Victron recommends at least 144 cells in series, for example two 72-cell panels. It weighs 1.25kg, has 16mm² terminals and needs a 40–45A battery fuse.

• 35A or 45A charge current, 12/24/48V automatic, 36V manual
• PV open-circuit voltage up to 150V
• Built-in Bluetooth and VE.Direct port
• Eight charge presets on rotary switch, fully programmable
• Peak efficiency 98%, no cooling fan
• Compact 1.25kg housing with 16mm² terminals

How it works

The 150V input allows long series strings: the tracker holds the array at its maximum power point and converts the energy down to battery voltage, so a 48V battery can be charged from four 36-cell or two 72-cell panels in series, or more as long as open-circuit voltage stays within the limit. The absolute maximum is 150V at the coldest expected temperature and 145V for start-up and operation.

Charging follows an adaptive three-stage profile, bulk, absorption and float, with optional equalisation for lead-acid batteries. The controller detects 12V, 24V or 48V systems automatically; 36V must be set manually. It starts when PV voltage exceeds battery voltage by 5V, and recovers batteries discharged to zero volts or lithium batteries whose BMS has disconnected.

Key features

Eight preset charge algorithms can be selected with the rotary switch, including LiFePO4, and the app allows a fully user-defined profile. Charge voltages are compensated for temperature from the internal sensor, or from a Smart Battery Sense, BMV-712 or SmartShunt that also corrects for cable voltage drop. There is no physical load output; a virtual one with BatteryLife can be created through the VE.Direct TX cable.

Installation and compatibility

Fit the unit vertically with terminals downwards on a non-flammable surface, with 10cm clearance above and below, close to but not above the battery. Battery fuses are 40–45A for the 150/35 and 50–63A for the 150/45; terminals take 16mm² cable and are torqued to 1.6Nm. When sizing strings, account for the rise in panel open-circuit voltage at low temperature. Do not use panels fitted with optimisers.

Positive or negative grounded battery systems are supported with a single ground point; the PV array must stay ungrounded. Remote on/off from a BMS uses the VE.Direct non-inverting remote on/off cable. The housing is IP43 for the electronics and IP22 at the connection area, rated for indoor unconditioned locations; the optional MPPT WireBox covers the terminals.

Monitoring and settings

Every SmartSolar has Bluetooth built in: the VictronConnect app on Android, iOS, macOS or Windows shows live data, keeps 30 days of history and error records, changes settings and installs firmware updates. The VE.Direct port connects a GX device such as the Cerbo GX for remote monitoring on the VRM portal, the MPPT Control display, a USB interface or external control cables.

Questions and answers