Victron SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100-MC4

In a nutshell

Victron's large solar charge controller for 48 V systems. It accepts up to 450 V of panels on two independent inputs and charges the battery with up to 100 A: up to 5,760 W of panels.

For large homes or businesses with Victron inverters.

What the two numbers of an MPPT charge controller mean

• The input voltage is the maximum combined voltage of the panels connected in series. Keep in mind the Voc (open-circuit voltage) of your panels and leave a margin: on cool mornings it rises a little.
• The amps are the maximum current the controller delivers to the battery. Multiplied by the battery voltage, this current gives the panel power it can use.
• If more panels are connected than it can handle, the controller simply does not use the excess (excess power does not damage it). But never exceed the input voltage: that does break it.

About this model (450 V · 100 A · 48 V only)

• Two independent inputs. For example, if a panel has 50.6 V open-circuit, eight in series add up to 405 V per input, below the 450 V; since on cool mornings the Voc rises, the exact number of panels is calculated by the technician.
• Maximum usable power: 5,760 W.
• It is isolated (the panels are electrically separated from the battery) and detects insulation faults.
• It connects to the Cerbo GX via VE.Can and is configured via Bluetooth.