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Which solar charge controller fits your array?
The brain between your panels and your battery — Victron MPPT and PWM, sized from a single small panel to a full off-grid array.
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| Controller | Max PV | Charge current | Battery | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SmartSolar MPPT 75/100 series | 75–100V | 10–20A | 12 / 24V | Small arrays and battery maintenance | $65.45 USD |
| SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 & 100/50 | 100V | 30 / 50A | 12 / 24V | Mid-size 12/24V arrays | $135.15 USD |
| SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 | 150V | 35 / 45A | 12 / 24 / 48V | Larger arrays, higher panel voltage | $193.80 USD |
| SmartSolar MPPT 150/60–250/70 | 150–250V | 60 / 70A | to 48V | Big arrays and long panel strings | $368.90 USD |
| SmartSolar MPPT VE.Can 150–250 | 150–250V | 70–100A | to 48V | Largest arrays; GX / VE.Can networking | $435.20 USD |
| SmartSolar MPPT RS 450 | to 450V | 100 / 200A | 48V | High-voltage strings, large off-grid | $1,218.90 USD |
| BlueSolar MPPT (no Bluetooth) | 75–250V | 10–100A | 12 / 24 / 48V | Same MPPT, budget — no built-in Bluetooth | $47.60 USD |
| BlueSolar PWM | Match to battery | 5–30A | 12 / 24 / 48V | Budget PWM for voltage-matched panels | $28.05 USD |
New to MPPTs? Read How to Choose the Right Victron Solar Charge Controller. Shopping for the panels too? See solar panels.
How to choose, in three questions
MPPT vs PWM, the model numbers, and the charge amps — answer these and you'll know what to buy.
MPPT or PWM?
For nearly every install, MPPT. It converts a panel's surplus voltage into extra charging current — typically 10–30% more harvest — and works with higher-voltage panels and cold mornings. PWM is cheaper but only suits panels whose nominal voltage matches the battery (a "12V" panel on a 12V bank). Every Victron controller here except the PWM models is MPPT.
What do 150/35 and 250/100 mean?
First number is the maximum panel (open-circuit) voltage the controller accepts; second is the maximum charge current it delivers. So a 150/35 takes up to 150 V of panel input and puts out up to 35 A. Your array's cold-morning Voc must stay below that first number — series-wired panels add voltage fast.
How many charge amps?
Rough rule: array watts ÷ battery voltage ≈ charge amps. A 400 W array on 12 V wants about 30 A, so a 100/30 fits; the same array on 24 V only needs ~15 A. Sizing the controller a step up leaves room to add panels later.
Why buy charge controllers from Blue Marine
True Blue Victron distributor
Warranty and setup support handled by us, not a ticket queue — and we know the SmartSolar lineup cold.
ABYC-certified advisors
We size the controller to your panels and bank — PV voltage, charge current, and wiring — as one system.
Free US shipping over $49
Fast shipping from Seattle and 60-day returns on non-lithium items.
Real people, real boats
Call (800) 628-6306 Mon–Sat — we size solar charging for real boats and rigs.
Not sure which controller you need?
Tell us your panels (watts and wiring) and your battery bank — we'll match the controller's voltage and current and check the wiring.
Solar charge controller FAQ
MPPT or PWM — which should I choose?
MPPT for almost everything. It harvests more by converting surplus panel voltage into charge current, and it handles higher-voltage panels, longer strings, and cold mornings. PWM is cheaper but only makes sense when the panel's nominal voltage matches the battery and budget is tight.
What do the numbers like 150/35 mean?
The first is the maximum PV (panel) input voltage the controller will accept; the second is the maximum charge current it can deliver. A 150/35 accepts up to 150 V of solar and outputs up to 35 A. Keep your array's cold open-circuit voltage under that first number.
What size charge controller do I need?
Take your array watts and divide by your battery voltage for the rough charge amps — a 400 W array on 12 V is about 30 A. Then make sure the panels' cold Voc stays under the controller's max PV voltage. When in doubt, size up so you can add panels later. Our guide How to Choose the Right Victron Solar Charge Controller walks through it.
SmartSolar or BlueSolar — what's the difference?
Same MPPT charging; the SmartSolar has Bluetooth built in so you set it up and monitor it from VictronConnect on your phone. BlueSolar leaves out the Bluetooth for a lower price — you can add a dongle or read it through a GX device later.
Can I wire my panels in series?
Yes, and it's common — series wiring raises voltage, which suits MPPT well and keeps cable current down. Just make sure the combined cold open-circuit voltage stays below the controller's max PV rating (the first number), since panels make more voltage when it's cold.
Does it have Bluetooth and connect to a GX display?
SmartSolar models have Bluetooth for VictronConnect. Any of these can also report to a Cerbo GX and the VRM portal over VE.Direct or VE.Can, so your solar shows up with the rest of your system.
Will it charge a lithium (LiFePO4) battery?
Yes — all the Victron MPPT and PWM controllers have selectable lithium profiles and coordinate with Victron lithium systems, so they charge LiFePO4 correctly as well as lead-acid and AGM.