Victron SmartSolar MPPT 250/60-MC4

In a nutshell

Medium-sized MPPT solar charge controller, 250 V and 60 A, for 12, 24 or 48 V batteries (and 36 V when configured). It uses up to 3,440 W of panels at 48 V. Ideal for a medium-sized home system or to expand an existing one.

What the two numbers of an MPPT charge controller mean

• The volts (V) are the maximum that the panels connected in series can add up to. On cool mornings the voltage rises a little, so you must leave some margin.
• The amps (A) are the maximum current the controller delivers to the battery. Multiplied by the battery voltage, this current gives the panel power it can use.
• At 48 V the same device delivers four times as much as at 12 V; that is why serious systems run at 48 V.
• If more panels are connected than it can handle, the controller does not use the excess (excess power does not damage it). But you must never exceed the input voltage: that does break it.

Keep in mind the Voc (open-circuit voltage) of your panels: for example, if a panel has 50.6 V, four in series add up to 202 V and five, 253 V, more than this equipment accepts.

About this model (250 V · 60 A)

• Several groups of 4 panels in parallel, without exceeding 35 A of short-circuit current.
• Usable power: 860 W at 12 V · 1,720 W at 24 V · 2,580 W at 36 V · 3,440 W at 48 V.
• Maximum efficiency 99 %.
• Panels with MC4 connectors (two pairs) and battery with 35 mm² screw terminals.
• Bluetooth (VictronConnect app) and VE.Direct.