Victron Energy Sun Inverter 12/250-15 and 24/250-10 IEC12V or 24V 250VA inverter with PWM solar charger

Overview

Two versions of the Sun Inverter are listed: 12/250-15 (SIN121251100) and 24/250-10 (SIN241251100). Each pairs a 250VA sine-wave inverter, 200W continuous at 25°C and 400W peak, with a PWM solar charger. The 12V unit accepts one 36-cell panel up to 25V, 15A and 375W; the 24V unit a 72-cell panel or two 36-cell panels in series, up to 50V, 10A and 500W. Bluetooth, VE.Direct and an IEC-320 outlet are built in. It suits a garden office, allotment shed or small cabin needing light, chargers and a router.

• 250VA inverter plus PWM solar charger in one case
• 12V model: 375W of PV; 24V model: 500W
• Built-in Bluetooth and VE.Direct port
• ON/OFF/CHARGER-ONLY switch and BMS-ready remote connector
• IEC-320 outlet, male plug included
• 2.4kg, 86×165×260mm

How it works

The Sun Inverter combines a 250VA sine-wave inverter with a PWM solar charge controller. Panels connect directly to the unit, and solar power charges the battery or helps supply the AC load. Charging starts once panel voltage exceeds battery voltage and follows a three-stage bulk, absorption and float profile with adaptive absorption time; equalisation and custom voltages can be set. The switch has an extra CHARGER-ONLY position: the inverter is off and only the solar charger works, so unattended loads cannot drain the battery.

Panels and battery

Because the charger uses PWM rather than MPPT, the panel must match the battery. Victron specifies a 36-cell panel for the 12V model, with at most 25V, 15A and 375W of PV, and a 72-cell panel or two 36-cell panels in series for the 24V model, with at most 50V, 10A and 500W. The inverter side gives 200W continuous at 25°C and 400W peak. Minimum battery capacity is 30Ah on 12V and 20Ah on 24V; temperature-compensated charging needs an optional sensor or a Smart Battery Sense.

Installation

Install the unit in a dry, ventilated place close to the battery with 10cm free around it. An internal, non-replaceable DC fuse is fitted; with battery cables longer than 1.5m add a fuse near the battery. Recommended cable is 4mm² (12V) or 2.5mm² (24V) up to 1.5m. PV wires go to separate screw terminals for up to 4mm², and a battery or power supply must never be connected there. The AC output is floating; where local rules require a true neutral, an internal wire bonds neutral to the chassis.

Monitoring and settings

VictronConnect reaches the unit over Bluetooth or through the VE.Direct port and shows battery and AC output voltage, load, solar power, voltage and current and charge stage. It sets output voltage and frequency, ECO mode, low-battery and dynamic cut-off levels, charge current and algorithm. The Sun Inverter takes part in VE.Smart Networking with a Smart Battery Sense or Bluetooth battery monitor. Its remote connector can take separate charge and discharge signals from a lithium BMS. A GX device or GlobalLink 520 adds VRM monitoring.

Questions and answers