Victron 150|100 Review and Test - For Beginners!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 พ.ค. 2024
- In this video, I do a comprehensive review and test of the Victron 150|100 SmartSolar charge controller with Bluetooth.
This video is intended for beginners, so I have explained everything in detail. I show how to connect the battery and PV array to the charge controller. I also show how to calculate the max PV input power for the unit.
For testing, we will charge a 12V, 24V and 48V battery with the same unit and then show a side-by-side comparison while explaining how input volts are related to charge amps output.
I also cover installing the optional display as well as show how to configure the battery type or charge profile. Clipping and Over paneling are topics also covered in this video. Victron allows for up to 30% Over paneling and I show how the unit deals with it.
Victron SmartSolar 150|100 Charge Controller (affiliate link):
amzn.to/3NxEami
Key topics included in this video:
0:00
0:08 - Intro
1:50 - Install Display
2:22 - Features I Like
3:50 - Install Battery and PV Cables
4:37 - How to Set the Battery Type
5:38 - Configure Solar Array
5:55 - How to Check VOC on PV Array
6:30 - Test 12 Volt Charging
9:16 - Test 24 Volt Charging
11:16 - Test 48 Volt Charging
12:47 - Side-by-Side Charging Comparison
13:33 - How to Calculate Max PV Input
15:13 - Over Paneling and Clipping
15:53 - Conclusion
** Affiliate Links **
For Medium Sized Systems (high voltage):
amzn.to/3RPJvYF
For Small Systems (~360W/24V)
Victron Energy SmartSolar 150V 15 Charge Controller
amzn.to/3ttbaoE
For Large Systems:
Victron SmartSolar RS Charge Controller (450V VOC) for High Voltage Applications:
amzn.to/480e03v
SmartSolar Control Display:
amzn.to/3Rrvyyz
** PDF Manuals and Datasheet **
SmartSolar Datasheet
www.natesdiysolar.com/pdf/man...
SmartSolar User Manual
www.natesdiysolar.com/pdf/man...
SmartSolar Control Display Manual
www.natesdiysolar.com/pdf/man...
AmpereTime/LiTime: Great LiFePO4 Batteries
3% Coupon Code: NATESDIY
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Current Connected: Ready-to-Run Solar Kits and Victron Equipment
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SanTan Solar: New and Used Solar Panels:
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SFK: Quality DIY Battery Enclosures and Ready-to-Run Batteries:
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Contact Information:
I am not available for personal solar system consult!
Email: nate@natesdiysolar.com
Website: www.natesdiysolar.com
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If you need higher VOC, check out the Victron SmartSolar RS! The RS has a VOC of 450V and is available in 100A or 200A output. It also has 2 Isolated & Independent solar trackers that can take up to 7200W of solar on each tracker. Link in the description...
FWD: 12:47 to see the side-by-side comparison. Enjoy!
Class controller, great multi voltage demo 👍
Hello Nate! That was a really great review of this Victron Solar Charger. Thank you very much for this work, I learned a lot from it! I'm going to order the 150/70, which is more than enough for my system. Kind regards and thanks again :)
Glad it was helpful!
Great review!
Thanks
ordered today The same controller what's in your video blog spent a lot of time looking into it before I spent the money I've just building a new system and I'd already bought a controller for it and I'm not even worried it yet so it was on a good price with Amazon So I took the plunge and bought it for Christmas as present to myself lol
Maidstone Kent England wishing you a happy Christmas and a prosperous New year all the best
Thank you. You will like that unit. Merry Christmas to you!
Thank you
No problem
Nice comparison of the efficiency of different voltages of systems.
I would have a wish and suggestion for a similar video:
I would like to see a comparison of the efficiency of this MPPT and the MPPT from All In One inverter under different conditions, and for longer term - full sun, partial shade, shaded. I've been interested in this for a long time and you have everything you need now to test and compare.
I suspect this MPPT will perform better, but the question is by how much, but maybe the results will be surprising, it's hard to say.
Thank you, I look forward to more videos.
That would be interesting.. the victron has the ability to track multiple MPPT curves. Don't understand it yet, but I'll look into it more once I get this thing permanently installed
Over how long a period..
@@natesdiysolar I was thinking over a longer term so that both MPPT would get out of their comfort zones at the power limit where they start to heat up. The MPPT in the All In One inverter turns on its very noisy fans for cooling. Both MPPTs at their limits would have power limiting and at that point the comparison would be more interesting and they will come to that point after a longer period of time with the peak power limit from the solar panels and when they start to heat up, this is how I meant for a longer term.
This might also give a basic indication of the comparison of active and passive cooling efficiency for both MPPTs.
But it would also be interesting to do a basic comparison of the two MPPs in their comfortable working conditions (not at their limit) with the same panels connected.
@Tibor oh ok. I see what your saying. Could turn off the all in one so just the MPPT runs.. need to get a temp gun.
Mine is arriving tomorrow ... Newbie at best. Trying to gather my components together before setting up a functional array. Dumb question ... what kind of circuit breaker are you using? Great job on the video.... entertaining as well.
Hi. I use this one made by blue sea . It's marine rated
www.partdeal.com/blue-sea-systems-surface-mount-187-series-circuit-breaker-150a-7148.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAu5agBhBzEiwAdiR5tMAN3w2xUF3fM2aF0r_hciZhMq6VLGCQAKkktwIEkbfy5IX8vM-6uRoCF-wQAvD_BwE
I have the 150/85 version of this. It's a monster, 2400w array into it. Doesn't even break a sweat. BTW you can find these that are limited to 12/24v at about half the price. Check out inverter supply for the weird 12/24v limited ones, save a bunch of money if you dont ever plan going 48v.
Oh, ok. Good to know. Yea, I plan on going 48v soon.
@@natesdiysolar Yeah, I wish I could afford the RS version. I like the Isolation it offers.
@Brad Cagle yea that's a real cool feature.. me too. Did you over-panel your 150 85.. how many parallel strings do you have.
@@natesdiysolar it may be over panneled by a few watts. If i come across a few more 72cell 300w ish panels i might add them. It 2 in series, and 4 parallel.
@Brad Cagle that's the panels I have.. 335W 72 cell. So your pushing 40A on you pv input..
Hi Nate, just found your channel today and appreciate your method of explaining solar - I too purchased the Ampere Time 24v 200 Ah battery - problem I had was several chargers popped because the BMS in the battery disconnected too early by a few volts during relatively high current charging - have you had this experience? -
I eventually bought the Ampere Time charger in desperation, no problem with that charger but I am worried to connect my Victron 100 / 50 controller - any tips? Thanks
When you show the bluetooth BMS that is that for the yellow top 12 battery, correct, I would like to know if the 24v 200ah BMS has bluetooth but don't think so...
Really.. hmm I run 2x 24v 200ah on my Solar Power Station in parallel and regularly charge at 60A but that would be 30a per battery. That is really unfortunate. I have had zero issues with those batteries. How many amps were you pushing on a single battery.
@@natesdiysolar 2 different AIMS Power Smart Chargers charging at a little over 30A but instead of going to a lower rate they suddenly overloaded the supply power and popped the breaker and quit working - The BMS kicks out at 27.7V instead of 28.8V - hopefully the Victron can set max charge voltage at 27.7V
@AmrHollywood @AmrHollywood I was looking to buy one of those aims units . Turns out no one sells them any more because to many problems with them. I would bet that is not the battery but those aims chargers. Have a look for yourself. You can't get them. I just looked at the manual for the 24v battery and it states a recommend charge of 40a but on another page it give you time to charge at .20c and .5c 100A and also states a max continuous charge of 200a. I would say it's safe to use you victron with it. Many ppl use those batteries. I have not hooked up my victron unit permanently yet but have charged a single battery with as much as 50a . Hope this helps. Post the question in will prowse dyi solar group to get 2nd opinion.
And thanks for watching!
@@AmrHollywood yes you can set a max charge on the victron. I have my float at 27.2 or 3.40v per cell.
What size circuit breaker is best for and 12 v battery and or a 24 v battery
That depends on your inverter. Take the watts of your inverter.
eg: (1500w / 12v) * 1.25 is ~ 150A
75A for 24v battery
does overpanel means amps only ? i mean i m sure cant play with more voltage but can i overpanel my 100/20 with 2s3p 8,5amps each panels ? gives 24A+
Generally, they are referring to watts. I looked up the specs for the 100/20 and it says max pv short cuircuut of 20a so I don't think it would be a good idea to exceed that 20a value. Likewise the 100 15 has a limit of 15a.
Check out this calculator.
explorist.life/solar-charge-controller-calculator/
I like victron but not the price
I know it's very expensive.. thanks for watching.
@@natesdiysolar great video !!!!
all this time I thought the TR model meant Trailer version.
Lolol, good one. It mise well be since that's where they are often used. Thanks for watching!
It's funny how all the pics of the Victron units look the same size, then it shows up like this...heh...
Is it larger lol. I think I took the picture myself
@@natesdiysolarJust a bit larger than a 75/15... ;-P I got the 100/30 but using it in a mobile use right now, may swap a 75/15 in for that use once I convince the wife on some more panels for a small permanent install...Have a good south facing 'ledge' of roof that should be able to do a few hundred watts, good 'nuff for some shop uses charging lawn stuff...
@ChrisEpler oh lol thought you were talking about the actual image size lol
. Yea they have a 250v version as well 250 100. Just show how much you save on your power bill lol
@@natesdiysolar Well so far I've saved us about $0.34-$0.51, so it's not convincing her yet... BUT it does get me out of the house and walking back and forth checking it and putting panels out, rotating them to follow the sun etc so there's that...
@@ChrisEpler lol
Nice vid my friend. One question?!
Victron Mppt 150/100
12v(parallel) system bat, x3 200ah = 600ah
Option 1
6 panels with 200w 23V and 11.05A parallel system = 1200w 23V and 66.3A
Option 2
2 panels 600w 41.3V and 17.2A parallel system = 1200w 41.3V and 33.4A
which option is best for this case?
Best regards
Typically you want to keep the Amps as low as possible by increasing the voltage as much as possible.. 15% under 150v max so 135v max.. when you cross that 30a threshold you must use 8awg pv wire.. its more expensive than say 10awg.. unless you have a short run... also when you go higher amps you must fuse each parallel string... that charge controller at 12v is suites well with 200 to 250w panels. Panels of this wattage will have a imp value less than 10a.. so you could easily have 3 parallel strings if you decide to go to a 24v or 48v system.. the more amps the more fire prone things can be as you are dealing with higher current. But if I had to choose from your 2 options. I'd go with #2. But in either case you need 8awg pv wire. 10awg pv wire is good for 30a. Hope this helps.
@@natesdiysolar You helping a lot , Thank you.
If you put the systems in series, in this case is option 1 is better?
More volts or amps do not influence the better/faster battery charging?
Sorry for my bad english.
@Alexandree55 yes that would be a perfect setup. It does not affect the charging either way. The job of the charge controller to to convert that higher pv voltage to a charge voltage your battery likes. Watts are watts no mater how it's wired you will still have the same watts. Watts equals total volts times amps. If the voc of your panels are 24v then 6x panels in series would be 144v voc. That is just under the 150v voc limit.
Im pondering the setup with 6 panel 200w 23v in series, its for my RV. The only thing i prefer in parallel setup its when one of the panels is in the shadow the rest of them are not affected.
Thank you so much Nate!
@@Alexandree55 that is true. Perhaps do 2s3p or 3s2p
HOWdy N-DIY-S, ...
Thanks = VICTRON is Quality & a great brand name ...
SCALABILITY is also a desirable FEATURE ...
but only = Only - ONLY 150 PV Input LIMIT 😞 ...
I have 250 DC Volt PV input on my system - ...
but newer units have as much as 500 volt PV Input ! ...
so 150 volt input is no longer a desirable LIMIT ...
...
IMHO
COOP
the WiSeNhEiMeR from Richmond, INDIANA
COOP
...
Yes, I see. Definitely makes things easier with higher VOC.
my growatt spf5000es has 450dc max input
150 volt is low… for big installs its not good
You have to consider the charging amps. At 48 volts, that's 6000 watts of PV input... not small. You would have parallel strings. But yes, it's considered low voltage. They have a 250V version as well.. I think that's the largest one.
Thanks for watching!
@@natesdiysolar = new (other brands) have as much as 500 volts PV input voltage limits now
COOP
....
I dont see the appeal. So expensive. Display looks like a calculator from 1980, so amateurish and insulting to the customer for buying a "high-end brand", yet costs extra, and the ability to use 12-48v is present in even the worst and cheapest mppts and some pwm. Point being, its not special. Also.. Anyone can hook up a lot of mppt's to a large battery bank. No special software is required. Even the cheap "one solar" mppt can do 150v, show graphs and actual real menus and letters in the display with no extra expenses, and offer 12-48v as well, add a bit more $ and powmr can give you up to 500-600v pv. Or a nother brand if you dont like that one.
Yes i know people say victron is holy quality and blabla. And.. nobody said it was bad. So hold the tears...But..! The story that all other brands are bad just because they cost less than half.. i dont buy it.
I can appreciate they are there, victron, creating competition.
I also like the huge heatsink. And the software seems neat. But not for 600-650$ extra... Or much much higher.. pr item in that eco system.
Edit: forgot to say thx for video. I did enjoy it.
Thanks for watching!