Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT Solar Charge Controller - Charge Controllers for Solar Panels - 100V, 20 amp, 48-Volt

This is an excellent Solar Charge Controller, but to configure it, you need to also buy the separate Bluetooth adapter. Once I had both in hand, I set them up to charge my RV's house battery with an older pair of 12-volt solar panels, wired in parallel. Using the Victron app, I discovered the panel's output voltage was not high enough to charge the batteries, even though the controller's "Bulk" LED was lit on the controller (the controller requires the charging source voltage exceed the battery voltage by at least 5 volts, and in my test case both voltages were about 12.5 volts). After re-wiring the panels in series, I was able to see actual charging happening as the panel voltage exceeded the battery voltage by more than the threshold required (the displayed panel voltage was in excess of 20 volts). After a few hours, I observed the controller's LEDs transitioning from Bulk to Absorption to Float. It was very satisfying seeing the MPPT function at work as the input voltage and amperage were adjusted to supply optimum charge voltage and current to the battery. There is some confusion as to whether this controller has built-in Bluetooth and in fact it does not. Having to buy an additional Biuetooth adapter is annoying to some who are familiar with Victron's other range of devices that have it built in (and I was one of the annoyed people). The aggravation is intensified once it's understood that only a couple of parameters can be controlled except using Bluetooth and the Victon app. Some of the competition also sells their Bluetooth dongles as an extra cost device, for example, the Renogy Rover Charge Controller (I know because I own one). In the case of the Rover, all functions can be configured on the unit using the buttons and seeing what is happening on the built-in LCD display. Configuring by way of the buttons is a bit tedious, though. Having the Bluetooth not built in is a security advantage in that once configuration is complete and the Bluetooth dongle is removed, no unauthorized changes can be make to the setup. Also, the dongle can be used for any number of similar devices. The unit is compact in size and has no user interface, except through the app. It seems well built with an attractive Victron-specific industrial design. I do question its lack of a heat sink on its backside; time will tell if that's a liability. By skipping that and removing the Bluetooth function from the controller, Victron is able to sell this device at a reasonable price. All in all, I'm very happy with my purchase.

This controller almost seems to pull energy from clouds. I tried two Tracer Series MPPT controllers (10A RN and 20A BN series). They are good, but compared to this controller they are slow catching up with the rapidly changing cloud conditions in the Pacific North West near the Canadian border. Quick rundown on likes: - It rapidly finds the mpp, and seems to build local profiles to swap back to in rapidly changing conditions (from direct sun to dark rain and in the middle). - In a side by side test, this controller reliably harvests at least +10% more energy from my Lensun 80W 12V panels than either of my Tracer controllers. - It has a built in battery charging profiles you can select by dial - including one for LiFePO4 batteries. - The documentaiton is clear and in English. - The firmware upgrades installed quickly and flawlessly. Additional things that put this controller way over the top for me: - Victron ToolKit app for the complete listing of blink codes to let you know what program the controller is running on. The information is in the manual, but the animated app gave me great peace of mind to know I wasn't about to do damage to my LFP battery bank. (The setting dial has no indication of what setting it's turned to, so blink codes are the only way to know for sure.) It was handy to have the cable calculator to confirm wire sizes, run lengths and voltage loss. - The BlueTooth dongle. Not required since the lights on the controller clearly tell you if you're in blulk, absorption, or float mode. However if you're a freak/geek like me and want to see settings in detail, have peace of mind about your battery bank while the controller is in action, and monitor performance? It's well worth the price of admission.

This is a solid charge controller—I now own three of them. I use one in an off-grid camper with solar panels and another to maintain battery levels on an off-grid generator. The unit is simple to wire, with clear LED indicators showing charging status. It feels well-built and durable, with no issues so far. Great value for basic off-grid power setups.

Works fine, but if you're here, get the next one up. It's worth the extra money. It's a better unit and comes with built-in bluetooth compatibility (to hook to your phone.) I was a cheapskate and ended up paying more when I realized I needed bluetooth for monitoring. That said, this unit works perfectly well with my 18v system, as well as my former 12v system.

I have a lot of Victron controllers. They work well and last.

Exceeded my expectations! Great little unit I purchased another one!

I feel tricked that this was Bluetooth ready. In the pictures it shows it connected to the Victron app. Only after installing and doing lots of searching, I find that it needs the Bluetooth dongle to use the app. Its not a problem getting the dongle. The problem is my time wasted researching what I need and why it wouldn't connect. It needs to be clear from the get go on what is needed. I would have paid more for a unit that had Bluetooth ready. Just seems like a deception tactic. They need clear indication on what all is needed. Or if there is another option that has these specs but does have Bluetooth. I see by the comments many people have had this same problem. Many have sent it back. Do better VICTRON.

Works great. Just be sure to get the one with Bluetooth as changing battery chemistry or monitoring on the non-bluetooth model is very difficult and requires additional purchases/hardware